Fire safety expo helps educate public

The Los Angeles County Fire Department last week unveiled its "Wildland Fire Protection Initiative," a new educational series developed in response to the recent spate of fires in the area.

Maria Grycan, community services representative for the department, told Agoura Hills City Council members that the fire department's inaugural fire expo, "Living in the Fire Zone," will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20 at the Malibu Performing Arts Center, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu.

The expo will feature displays and presentations on building standards, landscape management, emergency preparedness for families and animals, and demonstrations on how to use fire extinguishers and other protective equipment. Vendors will demonstrate and sell emergency supplies, fire suppression systems and "personal protective" equipment.

Grycan presented to council members a summary of the damage caused by the Aug. 26 Lost Hills fire. The final count of acreage lost in the fire was 167, and when the fire jumped the freeway, the kennels on Canwood Street sustained $5,000 damage, although no animals were injured, she said.

Firefighters have apparently had difficulty convincing people to evacuate during fires, one of many factors that prompted Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman to rethink the department's philosophy on public safety measures.

"It is important to understand that the department does not advocate a property owner's decision to stay," Freeman said. "We believe it is in everyone's best interest if everyone would evacuate early and quickly; however, the sad truth is that, despite orders to evacuate, some property owners just won't."

It is those property owners especially, Freeman said, the department wants to reach. "For those who make a decision to stay, it must be an informed decision," he said. "They need to understand the conditions to which they can be subjected; they need to be properly prepared and equipped, and, most important, they need to fully understand the risk at which they are placing not only themselves but also the firefighters."

Grycan told council members that the department "values life more than we value property."

Children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems are especially vulnerable during fires, Grycan said, adding that homeowners need to be aware of what kind of equipment they'll need on hand if they choose to stay in their homes during a fire.

After the Corral Canyon fire in November 2007, Freeman convened a series of meetings with some of the homeowners who were devastated by the fire.

"After meeting with these homeowners consistently over a period of three months, they were able to gain a greater understanding and respect for the decisions made and actions taken by firefighters," Freeman said. "At the same time, through their experiences, we were also able to learn about areas in which we can improve, both in terms of response and public education."

The department will offer a presentation during the expo offering guidance and education to homeowners who become trapped and cannot evacuate or make their own decision to stay.

While the expo will address the issue of staying, it will also educate homeowners on how to properly prepare themselves and their property before evacuation.

Law enforcement officials, representatives from Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, and the American Red Cross will explain how each agency responds during an emergency. Residents will also receive information on forming Fire Safe Councils within their own neighborhoods.

Grycan said the department plans to conduct fire expos at least once a year, and additional expos are being planned throughout Los Angeles County.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department is one of the largest emergency service agencies in the world, providing fire protection and life-safety services to more than 3.8 million residents and commercial business customers in the county's 2,296-square-mile area.

With more than 80 years of service, the department offers specialized training opportunities in urban search and rescue, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, air operations and homeland security. The mission of its uniformed and civilian team of more than 4,000 professionals is to provide prompt, skillful, cost-effective fire protection and lifesafety services to the public, Grycan said.

There is no charge for the fire expo, and refreshments will be served.