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Preparing for Wildfires

Preparing for Wildfires

Here is information to help you manage exposure and recover from the current Colorado wildfires. 

If you need further assistance, please contact your Lockton Risk Control Services team member. 

Prepare the Property - before evacuation becomes necessary: 

  • Remove combustibles from the building exterior including furniture, barbecue grills, garbage cans, and other materials.
  • Close windows and exterior doors.
  • Make sure all interior fire doors are shut.
  • Make plans to shut down central ventilation systems should you need to evacuate.
  • Make sure fire protection equipment is operational.
  • Open all gates.  Make sure that gates are wide enough to allow fire engines onto your property.


Evacuation - if an order comes from civil authorities for a mandatory evacuation, be prepared to take the following steps:

  • Do not procrastinate - Wildfires travel fast. Sometimes faster than traffic will allow. Do not wait until the last minute to evacuate and do not ever leave animals behind. You will not be allowed to return to your business or home for any reason.
  • Document when you receive the order to evacuate and then when the order was lifted.
  • Cooperate with authorities and instruct all employees to vacate the property.
  • Seek shelter as directed by authorities.
  • If possible, notify authorities of residents with special needs.
  • Notify all "off duty" employees to remain home.
  • Have secure pet carriers for each of your pets. Crate your animals before loading the car: they will try to escape. Securely fasten a current identification tag to your pet's collar. Carry a photo of yourself with your pet for identification purposes.
  • Leave a note that you and your animals have left, where you are going and how to reach you. Place it in a visible place near the entrance of your home.

Utilities

  • Upon direction from local authorities and/or the local utility provider, be prepared to shut off gas and electric.
  • If applicable, shut off all propane tanks. 


Security - if ordered to evacuate

  • Once evacuated, lock doors to all common, office, and maintenance areas.
  • Power-down computer and related equipment.
  • Secure valuables, vital records and keys.
  • If possible, take copies of vital data and records.
  • Turn-on lights inside and out.

Returning to the Property 

  • Be VERY aware that unstable structures/timber, damaged gas lines and energized electrical service hazards may exist.
  • Maintain a "fire watch." Re-check for smoke and sparks throughout the house.
  • Check for damage to structure and utilities.
  • Coordinate with local utilities to return electric and gas service.
  

 

RESOURCES

  

These links provide critical resources as you prepare for and recover from the fire.

Colorado Wildfires Property Claims - from Lockton

Wildfires - Living Among Nature's Hottest Catastrophes - from Lexington Insurance Company (Webcast Available)

Wildfire safety tips:
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/wildfire/index.shtm 

Wildfire information from the National Fire Protection Association:
http://www.firewise.org/ 

Health concerns regarding wildfires:
http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx 

Worker safety during fire cleanup:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/cleanupworkers.asp

The Wildfires Fact Sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance for employees on how to know if wildfire smoke is affecting them.

National Jewish Health's website provides health recommendations for wildfire smoke.

OSHA's webpage dedicated to wildfires includes response, recovery and resource information.

The wildfire smoke guide provides strategies on how to prevent employee exposure to dangerous levels of wildfire smoke.

The CDC/NIOSH firefighting website focuses primarily on firefighters, but also contains fact sheets regarding heat stress and respirators.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a Respirator Fact Sheet which includes information like what kind of respirator to use and how to use it.


State of Colorado Resources

Colorado Red Cross:
http://www.denver-redcross.org/index.asp?IDCapitulo=Q4Q26NY21N

Colorado Division of Emergency Management:
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DOLA-Main/CBON/1251590375261 

Colorado State Forest Service:
http://csfs.colostate.edu/ 

The Colorado Department of Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) Air Quality Division has health and smoke information, along with links to general wildfire information.

The CDPHE air quality advisories provide air quality status from around the state. 

 

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