posted 10-24-2007 07:56 PM                  

General Help and Information
The current fires in California are a major emergency and will impact the lives of thousands of residents. The Federal
government has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa
Barbara and Ventura counties in California due to the wildfires. To help you cope with the fires currently threatening
various parts of Southern California and as an aid for general emergency preparedness, we'd like to share LifeCare's
guide on Coping with Wildfires with you (see the PDF file accessed by clicking on LifeCare's Guide to Coping with
Wildfires - http://cts.vresp.com/c/?LifeCare/a5a85d6c20/8a38db8cbb/556422ec52 ). The guide contains useful information and resources, including contacts for the Red Cross and FEMA.

Counseling Services
Individuals trying to cope with the emotional consequences of the Southern California wildfires have access to a free
Help Line staffed by experienced master’s-level specialists from OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (a UnitedHealth
Group entity). The toll-free Help Line number is (866) 342-6892. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for
as long as necessary. Service is free of charge.

Previously, the Help Line was made available to the public following hurricanes, including those that hit Florida and
the Gulf Coast over the past two years; to individuals affected by the tragic shootings on the Virginia Tech campus in
Blacksburg, VA; and to individuals affected by the recent Minnesota Interstate 35W bridge collapse. Several thousand
people have taken advantage of this service in the past to speak to specialists about the difficult emotions they may
experience related to stress, anxiety and the grieving process. Callers also may receive referrals from a national
database of community resources to help them with specific concerns, such as financial and legal issues.

**This paragraph I edited somewhat.)
Also note that some prescription drug providers are restricting expedited, narcotic, temperature-sensitive and
Express Mail orders to specific ZIP codes in the San Diego region as a result of the wildfires. However, Medco allows pharmacies to refill a lost or stolen prescription before its normal renewal date by overriding
the “refill too soon” edit. If the on-line override is not in place and the member is in need of medication during an
emergency, the pharmacist should call the Medco Pharmacy Help Desk for an override. Your provider/pharmacy may do likewise.

Please see below for more information concerning contact information and filing claims.

California Wildfire
Important Information
This information is current as of Wed, October 24, 2007

Information and Helpful Phone Numbers:

Official Website of California http://california.gov

Departments of Transportation (latest advisories):
California http://www.dot.ca.gov (916) 654-5266)
Check Current Highway Conditions (800)-427-7623 (ROAD)
California Fire Weather web page http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sto/cafw
An interagency effort providing convenient access to Emergency Command Center Dispatch Area (ECCDA) forecasts, specific National Weather Service Fire Weather Planning Forecasts (FWZ) and National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches for California

Fire Information - National Fire News http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/nfn.htm

"Fire Intelligence" a temporary page with lots of links to current information! http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/fire/south/fwx/operations/index.html

FEMA http://www.fema.gov/ (800-621-FEMA)

FEMA site for California wildfires http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?published=1&id=9029

Missing love ones:
National Next of kin Registry http://www.nokr.org/
If you have someone missing in the Hurricane Katrina Disaster areas please register their information today, at the National Next Of Kin Registry (NOKR). NOKR is designed as an emergency contact system to help if you or your family member is missing, injured or deceased.

Power Companies (latest information and numbers): http://www.energy.ca.gov/electricity/utilities.html

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) (619) 696-2000 www.sdge.com

Southern California Gas Company (800)-427-2200 http://www.socalgas.com

Mayo Clinic and CDC health links:

First aid for burns http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022

Mental health http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mental-health/MH00124

Disaster management http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/disaster-management/FU00010

Survival kit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/survival-kit/FU00009

Post-traumatic stress http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/DS00246

CDC wildfire information http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/

Addresses of evacuation sites http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/23/evac.tips/#evac

Evacuation sites for animals http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/23/evac.tips/#animal

Phone numbers and addresses for general information http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/23/evac.tips/#evac2

Traffic incidents http://cad.chp.ca.gov/

Governor's Office of Emergency Services emergency guidelines http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/Content/B49435352108954488256 C2A0071E038?OpenDocument

OES disaster preparedness page http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/ALL/7A43A30DB8F1F1CA88256FE90079C EB6?OpenDocument

California Department of Insurance http://www.insurance.ca.gov/

California Department of Insurance wildfire advice http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/0060-2007/release057-07.cfm[/UR L]

Department of Insurance home inventory instructions (pdf)
http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0100-consumers/0060-information-guides/0040-residential/upload/Home-Inventory-Guide.pdf

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (state fire marshal) [URL=http://www.fire.ca.gov/]http://www.fire.ca.gov/</A>

Los Angeles County information [URL=http://lacounty.info/]http://lacounty.info/</A>

City of Santa Clarita information [URL=http://www.santa-clarita.com/]http://www.santa-clarita.com/

Riverside County wildfire information http://www.countyofriverside.us/portal/page?_pageid=133,5844549&_dad=portal&_schema= PORTAL

Santa Barbara County information http://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/press.asp

Ventura County information http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page?_pageid=33,95298&_dad=portal&_schema=PO RTAL

Orange Country Fire Authority emergency information http://www.ocfa.org/ocfamain.asp?pgn1=3

Los Angeles County Fire Department http://www.ocfa.org/ocfamain.asp?pgn1=3

Ventura County Fire Department http://fire.countyofventura.org/

Santa Barbara County Fire Department http://www.sbcfire.com/

San Bernardino County disaster information http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/evocdata.asp

San Diego County emergency homepage http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/evocdata.asp

San Diego Fire Department http://www.sandiego.gov/fireandems/

San Diego Fire Department emergency information http://www.sandiego.gov/newsflash/firealert.shtml

Riverside County Fire Department http://www.rvcfire.org/opencms/index.html

Communicating during this Crisis
If you live in the area affected by the California Wildfires, do your best to get in touch with relatives or friends to let them know you’re safe. Wireless networks may be down due to power outages and massive calling volumes. If your cell phone is working, do this:
• Limit your calls or communications.
• Try text messaging on your cell phone if voice calls are not possible. (You may be able to send a successful text message as long as there is a signal.) Send a text message to your loved one like, “I’m OK. At Sally’s house.”
• If you don’t know how to send a text message, it’s very easy. If possible, ask someone to show you how.
Remember that everyone is trying to reach their loved ones. Once you are able to make phone calls or send e-mails, keep your communications to a minimum. Ask one person to be your main contact so that he or she can let others know you are safe. Give your main contact person the names and phone numbers or e-mail addresses of everyone you want to reach.
If you are a military family member, contact a Key Volunteer, Ombudsman, or your Family Readiness or Family Support Group to let them know where you are and how you can be reached.

Red Cross Operating Shelters for Evacuees

(SAN DIEGO COUNTY) - American Red Cross shelter locations
(new locations in bold):

Borrego Springs High School, 2281 Diegueno Rd, Borrego Springs (Thomas Brothers Map Page 1058, H-1)

El Camino High School, 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside, (Thomas Brothers Map Page 1086, H-4)

Valley Center High School, 31322 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, (Thomas Brothers Map Page 1070, F-1)

Escondido High School, 1535 North Broadway (Thomas Brothers Map Page 1109, H-6)

Santana High School, 9915 Magnolia Avenue, Santee (Thomas Brothers Map Page 1231, E-4).

Mira Mesa High School, 10510 Reagan Road (off Mira Mesa Boulevard) (Thomas Brothers Map Page 1209, C-4)

Steele Canyon High School, 12440 Campo Road, Spring Valley (Thomas Brothers Map Page 1272, B-7)

Campo Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road, Campo

The Red Cross has also provided material support to the Del Mar Fairgrounds shelter and Qualcomm Stadium including meals, cots, blankets and comfort kits (hygiene products).

These facilities will remain open as long as there is a need. Residents will be provided a safe place to stay, drinks and meals, and basic health services at these locations. Additional shelters are being opened and operated by municipal and partner organizations. Residents in the potential path of fire should monitor local media for the latest information about services, or call 211 San Diego.

Residents with large animals are instructed to take them to the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, located at Highway 67 and Mapleview Street, OR the San Diego County Fairgrounds in Del Mar. Residents are urged to place their household pets in carriers or crates plus supplies such as food and leashes if they are brought to Red Cross shelters. Bring all necessary daily medications, supplies for your children, and any other critically needed items for the next 24 to 72 hours with you to the shelter.
The Red Cross advises all residents to heed any evacuation orders immediately. For the latest information, please return to the American Red Cross website at www.sdarc.org under the "Current News" section on the home page. It will be updated as new information becomes available.

ALL individuals who are evacuating or have been evacuated are encouraged to register themselves on the Safe and Well website at www.redcross.org. If they are not able to register, they may call 800-REDCROSS and a call agent will assist them with registering themselves on the website.

For additional information about resources, please call 211 San Diego. Dial 211, or 1-858-300-1211.

Due to the generous spirit of local residents, the Red Cross has trained nearly 3,000 volunteers in the first few days of the wildfires. The Red Cross urges newly trained volunteers to be patient while awaiting assignment. Until then, volunteers are asked to continue on with their day-to-day activities and stay safe.

The best way to support relief efforts is to make a secure financial donation via this website. The Red Cross is NOT able to accept individual donations of goods at this time. Please direct your donations to our partners at the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries, and the San Diego Food Bank.

Find out how you can help American Red Cross response efforts.
http://www.sdarc.org/site/pp.asp?c=erKQL4NQE&b=3510321

About the American Red Cross, San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the San Diego Wildfires (DR-187-8), by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O.

Information on how to help:

Volunteer Center of Los Angeles (818) 908-5066

L.A. Works (323) 224-6510

Volunteer Center of Orange County (714) 953-5757

Volunteer San Diego (858) 636-4131

Riverside County Red Cross (888) 831-0031

San Diego/Imperial counties Red Cross (858) 309-1200

Orange County Red Cross (714) 481-5300

Ventura County Red Cross (805) 339-2234

Los Angeles Red Cross (888) 864-3575

San Bernardino Red Cross (909) 888-1481

Tips for Filing a Fire Insurance Claim
Important Information
This information is current as of Wed, October 23, 2007
SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
ABC NEWS Business Unit

As wildfires continue to rage throughout Southern California, insurance companies are mobilizing teams to help fire victims deal with claims and start rebuilding their homes.

Even if you don't have all the information or paperwork, insurance experts are advising Californians to file a claim now to get the process started. Following is a tip sheet from the Insurance Information Institute, an industry trade group on what you need to know to if your house is damaged by fire.

Capture video or photos of the fires? i-CAUGHT http://ugv.abcnews.go.com

If my house burns down, will my insurance company pay to have it rebuilt?
The typical homeowner's policy covers damage due to wind, fire and lightning. So if your home has been completely destroyed by a fire or if the roof has been burned, your insurance company will pay to have your home rebuilt or to have the roof replaced. It will also pay if flames and smoke have damaged any other part of your home.

What about the contents of my house?
In addition to paying for damage to the dwelling, homeowners' policies cover other structures on the premises, such as a garage or tool shed, as well as damage to your furniture, clothes, appliances and other personal possessions up to the limits of your policy.

What information is needed to report a claim?
Each claim is different, but information your insurance company will likely need include:
Date of loss
Type of loss or damage
Location of damage
Any related injuries
Others involved
Condition of the home
Description of damaged contents
Whether or not temporary repairs are necessary
A police report

Who will pay for temporary housing?
Your insurance company might cover your housing expenses, depending on your plan. These "additional living expense coverage" or "loss of use coverage" options will pay for similar housing while repairs are being made to your home or if you permanently relocate. Typically, you need to seek reimbursement for expenses incurred. Also keep in mind that payments do no cover lost wages or earnings.

Should I file a police report?
Yes. In many cases, a police report is required when reporting a claim.

What about receipts?
The more documentation you have, the better. Assuming such documents survived the fire, receipts, owner's manuals, warranty cards, appraisals, photographs or the original boxes that the items came in will all help.

What other documents should I compile?
Keep an accurate record of all temporary repair expenses such as bills or material receipts so that you can add the amount to your claim. Also, keep an accurate record of any and all expenses incurred to be considered for possible reimbursement. Do not make any permanent repairs until the insurance adjuster has had a chance to review the damage.

What is a deductible?
A deductible is the amount you agree to pay as your part of the loss. The insurance company will pay for the amount over the deductible if it is a covered loss. For example, if the covered claim is $2,000 and your deductible is $500, you pay $500 and your insurance company pays the $1,500 balance.

How do I figure out what I've lost?
Make a written list of what was damaged. To be as accurate as possible, include the manufacturer, brand name and the place and date of purchase. A good way to start this process is to divide your list into broad categories, such as location: living room, master bedroom, kitchen, etc. If available, photographs, videotapes or personal property inventories are valuable resources during the itemization process.

Much of my furniture and possessions were badly damaged -- can I get rid of them if I have a home inventory?
A homeowner should not throw things away until an insurance company representative has been able to assess the damage and make a claim report.

My home was vandalized after the fire and my new television was stolen. Am I covered?
Homeowners' insurance policies cover theft and vandalism, so any losses due to looting in the wake of the fire should be covered.

Should I make temporary repairs to my house?
It is important to take immediate steps to prevent further damage to your home. Some policies may cover such repairs, others might not. Some policies will let you hire a contractor to do the work. Whether hiring somebody or doing it yourself, document all your expenses.

Does my insurance pay for the loss of any trees, shrubs or other plants I lost in the fire?
The typical homeowner's policy covers trees, shrubs, plants or lawns on the residence for loss caused by fire. Usually insurers will pay up to 5 percent of the limit of liability that applies to the dwelling for all trees, shrubs, plants or lawns. No more than $500 will be paid for any one tree, shrub or plant. Insurance, however, does not cover property grown for business purposes.

If my car is destroyed or damaged from the fire, is it covered?
If you have comprehensive insurance, your vehicle will be covered for damage or destruction.

If I have questions about my homeowner's policy, where can I get help?
You can call your insurance agent, broker or company representative or the National Insurance Consumer Helpline: Call 1-800-942-4242 and ask for the free brochure, How to File an Insurance Claim.

Items You Need in Your Emergency Kit:

FEMA recommends including the following items in your own disaster supplies kit in the event of an emergency:

Water: One gallon per person, per day, for three to seven days.
Food: Three to seven days' supply of nonperishable food.
Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First aid kit and manual.
Sanitation and hygiene items.
Matches and waterproof container.
Whistle.
Extra clothing.
Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener.
Important documents: Photocopies of credit and identification cards.
Cash and coins.
Special needs items: prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries.
Pet care items.
Items for infants.
Blankets and pillows.
Other items to meet your unique family needs.