The California Fire Foundation, in partnership with Edison International, parent company of Southern California Edison, has launched a statewide Wildfire Safety and Preparedness public education campaign to better inform residents on key steps and precautions to take in preparing for potential wildfires. The campaign, with materials available in English and Spanish, is part of the Foundation’s “Firefighters on Your Side Program” which provides critical fire safety information and public service announcements (PSAs) in multiple languages targeting underserved communities.

California is experiencing the impacts of climate change with drought, extreme weather variations, and increasingly dangerous wildfires plaguing the state on a regular basis. Over the past 12 months, California has witnessed three of the ten most destructive wildfires in history. The statewide campaign’s goal is to make sure residents are ready for the next wildfire. A major focus has been placed in reaching the underserved Latino communities in high-risk wildfire areas with in-language materials, ensuring the message of preparedness reaches as many people as possible.

The Wildfire Safety Preparedness Campaign has developed physical and downloadable informational material on what families can do to prepare and also created public service announcement videos to walk through these important precautions.

Currently, the Foundation has partnered with community groups statewide to disseminate informational material. CFF has also been working closely with major TV outlets in distributing the video public service announcements in English and Spanish across the state.

“Large, destructive and deadly wildfires caused by climate change have become the ‘new normal’ in California,” said Rick Martinez, retired Sacramento Metro Fire Department chief and a board member of the California Fire Foundation. “Wildfires can happen at any time, and we hope that our safety messages can help reduce the number of casualties and lives lost every year from wildfires. We cannot and will not have a repeat of 2018.”

Edison International awarded a $30,000 grant last year in support of the larger effort to raise public education awareness on wildfire readiness in California. “Edison’s number one priority continues to be the safety of our employees, customers and communities” said Caroline Choi, Edison International and Southern California Edison senior vice president of Corporate Affairs. “We are committed to supporting the California Fire Foundation in their ongoing mission to help our underserved communities be more resilient to the wildfires affecting our region.”

Below are safety tips all families should observe throughout the year to be prepared for wildfires.

1.    GET READY

1. Clear dry vegetation and tall grass at least 100 ft. around your home
2. Harden your home with fire-safe materials
3. Watch for Red Flag Alerts, fire weather bulletins (weather.gov)
4. Plan & practice at least two different evacuation routes

2.    GET SET

1. Establish an “action plan” including critical phone numbers, meeting area
2. Prepare an Evacuation Supply Kit
   1. Prescriptions/eyeglasses
   2. Copies of important documents

• Food/water

1. First-aid kit
2. Extra phone chargers
3. Verify insurance coverage

3.    GO! Evacuation Tips

1. Leave lights on, turn off gas
2. Put emergency supply kit in vehicle
3. Evacuate early – don’t wait to be ordered
4. If trapped, call 9-1-1
5. If ordered to leave, don’t wait … JUST GO

4.    EVACUATION CHECKLIST

1. Bring flammable items indoors
2. Turn off propane/gas
3. Close windows & doors (leave unlocked)
4. Emergency Supply Kit in vehicle
5. Locate pets
6. Check on neighbors

The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization created by California Professional Firefighters, aids firefighters, their families and the communities they protect. Since 2011, the Foundation’s “Firefighters On Your Side” program has focused fire-safety and disaster preparedness messages into underserved communities up and down the state of California.

More information about the program and to download material: cafirefoundation.org/prepareforwildfire

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About California Fire Foundation

The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the California Fire Foundation supports fallen firefighter survivors, victim assistance projects and community initiatives. www.cafirefoundation.org.

About Edison International

Edison International (NYSE:EIX), through its subsidiaries, is a distributor and generator of electric power, as well as a provider of energy services and technologies, including renewable energy. Headquartered in Rosemead, Calif., Edison International is the parent company of Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities.

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