Last Friday, July 17th a vegetation fire broke out in the Cajon Pass of San Bernardino County. This fire made headlines across the nation as it rapidly grew to an estimated 3500 acres before making its way on to the Interstate 15 freeway. At that time, motorists abandoned their vehicles at the order of the California Highway Patrol and ran for safety (http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-fire-in-cajon-pass-20150717-story.html#page=1). Many would later find their vehicles to be nothing more and a charred frame. Those who were not forced to abandon their vehicle were stuck for hours on a freeway that was not moving. Some chose to turn the car off and sit alongside of the road. It was a very hot day and the fire, smoke and wind conditions compounded to the uncomfortable climate. Thankfully, there were no fatalities as a result of this highly volatile and unexpected incident.
While this was an incredibly unfortunate event, its incidents like these that validate our need to have “go bags” or preparedness kits in our cars as well as at home and work. I would be curious to know how many of these motorists had a pair of sturdy walking/running shoes in their car at the time they had to evacuate; particularly for those men and women traveling in formal attire. Did the motorists have bottled water in their trunk that they were able to grab before dashing out in to the hot and smoky environment? What about the motorists’ that were not forced to evacuate their vehicles but were stranded in their cars for hours well past their next meal time? Did they have non-perishable items to snack on and settle their stomach until they were able to eat a more substantial meal? Lastly, what were the implications for those motorists that failed to monitor and sustain a minimum of a ¼ tank of fuel in their vehicle prior to the gridlock?
The truth is that this could’ve happened to any one of us and the decisions we make regarding preparedness will largely determine the condition in which we find ourselves on that unfortunate day. Remember preparedness must take place wherever you go and not just where you rest your head at night; particularly because to most of us spend more time other places than we do at home. Please visit the following links for more information regarding “go kits” for your home, car and workplace.
Orange County resource: http://www.readyoc.org/prepare/kit.html
American Red Cross resource: http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240190_Be_Red_Cross_Ready.pdf
UCI Resource: http://www.nexisprep.com/universityofcalifornia
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