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Attend Community Briefing Tonight
Members of the public and media are invited to an Online Community Briefing being held today, Thursday, Aug. 27, from 6:30-8pm.

California Office of Emergency Services and state and local legislators will provide fire emergency updates and information about recovery programs and resources for residents.

Public is encouraged to submit questions in advance by emailing them to publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org. Questions also may be submitted either through Zoom or by leaving them in the comments area of the Facebook Live post.

Attend the briefing on Zoom using this link: https://sonomacounty.zoom.us/j/92852175577?pwd=TVNFMmUvbk5EMkZzTVdQMXkyYXhQZz09 Or dial in by telephone: (669) 900-9128, Webinar ID: 928 5217 5577, Passcode: 451108
Updated Info from Supervisor Gore's Office
His email from this morning has lots of resources in it.

Commodity Points of Entry (CPODS)/Re-entry Points
Commodity Points of Entry (CPODS) or re-entry points are open today and tomorrow 10 a.m. -- 7 p.m. so that residents who are returning to burned areas can receive critical safety equipment and information. Those hours might be extended depending on demand.

While the Walbridge Fire burned areas remain closed, residents of those areas are encouraged to go to the checkpoints today or tomorrow to receive materials, including a pair of goggles, a pair of nitrile gloves, one N95 mask, one Tyvek suit with booties, two heavy duty garbage bags, and two bottles of water. 

In addition to supplies, residents will receive important safety information. Residents will be asked to remain in their cars and to wear facial coverings.

Drive-thru re-entry points are at the following locations:
Bodega: 17499 Bodega Highway, adjacent to the cemetery and near the Highway 1 intersection. 

Healdsburg: Healdsburg Park and Ride at the corner of Healdsburg Avenue and Grant Avenue, across the street from Georgio's Pizza.
Sebastopol: Ragle Ranch Regional Park, 500 Ragle Drive, Sebastopol.
Visit SoCoEmergency.org/fire for a map of current evacuation areas and information in English; SoCoEmergency.org/incendio for Spanish.

A local assistance center (LAC) is expected to open up tomorrow or Saturday (likely the latter) to provide one-stop resources for those affected by the fire. A Disaster Recovery Center is also a possible follow on devoted to federal resources. The Healdsburg LAC is slated to be in the Healdsburg HS gym, more details as they become available. (Volunteers are needed, see info below.)

Returning to your Property
Some residents are already returning home to evacuation warning zones that have been downgraded from mandatory evacuation zones.
○ It is important to remember that ash can be toxic, and that you can take simple precautions like wearing protective equipment while cleaning your home to protect yourself.
○ Pick up protective equipment at one of the County's distribution points on your way back home.
Our hearts are heavy knowing that residents will be returning to their properties where they may have to rebuild their homes and their lives.
○ Agencies like utility companies and public works are already surveying areas within the fire perimeter to evaluate safety hazards, like down power lines. When this work is complete the Sheriff's Office and County will work together to notify residents.
 ○ When you return to your property do not start moving ash or debris - it is a dangerous substance that should be handled only by professionals.
 ○  The County is working with the state to determine what resources and options will be available to residents for debris removal.
 
Recovery Resources
NEW
: After the Fire FEMA brochure
● Individual Assistance: www.fema.gov/disasters
○ Assistance to individuals and households This assistance may include:
■ Individuals and Households Program

■ Crisis Counseling Program

■ Disaster Case Management

■ Disaster Unemployment Assistance

■ Disaster Legal Services

■ Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

○ Public Assistance - Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.
○ Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
● Small Business Disaster Loans - Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Sonoma County businesses and residents as a result of President Trump's Major Disaster Declaration due to the wildfires that began on August 14, 2020: FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
● Local Business Recovery Resources - The County's Economic Development Board has a list of resources available to support local businesses and employees:
http://sonomaedb.org/Business-Assistance/Business-Recovery-Tools/

Additional resources 
● Many of us have been through fire seasons in Sonoma County before. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, call the local Warm Line for emotional and mental health support at (707) 565-2652. It's free and private. Call seven days a week from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 
● Find more mental health resources at SoCoEmergency.org or for information in Spanish, visit SoCoEmergencia.org, or call 2-1-1 at any time. 
● Please don't call 9-1-1 unless you are having an emergency. The public may call 2-1-1 to get answers to general questions. 
● Residents who cannot self-evacuate due to physical disability or other access and functional needs can call Sonoma County Paratransit/Volunteer Wheels at (707) 573- 3377. 
● Older adults and their caregivers can talk with a social worker regarding services and resources at the Adult and Aging Information and Assistance Line, (707) 565-INFO (565- 4636). 
● The COVID-19 testing operation at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds is still operating, but has been relocated to the Jockey Club. 

Many thanks to his staff for putting this all together!
Re-Entry After Evacuation
For those of you that have been on mandatory evacuation for some time, I'm sure you are anxious to get home! It sure sounds like the next 24-72 hours will be key as they get a better hold of the fire lines while the weather holds. Today's briefing by CalFire and the sheriff reiterated this as stated in the PD Update article. 
When preparing to go back to an evacuated area, you might want to check out some of the resources have listed below.

Evacuation Information
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
Evacuation Zones
For a list and map of road closures and to sign up for email and text alerts, visit: https://roadclosuressonomacounty.hub.arcgis.com/

Maps
NewStructure damage status map
Active fire incident map
Sartopo map
Active fire map

For information on air quality in your area, please visit the Airnow.gov website.
Please conserve water! For more information: SonomaWater.org/fire
 
Volunteers Needed at LACs
A message from Geoff Peters sent to CERT and COPE:
The work is quite active: meeting with citizens looking for assistance as a result of the fires and steering them to the right places and answering as many of their questions as you can.  Most of the work is standing out of doors although there are some seated jobs for those with mobility issues.  We expect a significant amount of traffic from citizens seeking FEMA assistance or other forms of support so part of the job is to maintain social distancing, ensure everyone is wearing a mask, etc.  Here is a partial description of duties:
  • Manage telephone calls
  • Log in LAC clients
  • Provide the LAC routing form and route clients to needed services. Place a checkmark next to each service provider the client will visit.
  • Answer general questions
  • Attend the Morning Meeting/LAC briefings
  • Keep current on all flyer information
    • Disaster specific information
    • Small Business information
    • Telephone and cell phone information
    • Health services information
    • Medical-health related information
    • FEMA information
    • Up-to-date Press Releases
    • Cal OES Information
The shifts start this Saturday and are: 8:30am – 2:00pm and 1:30pm – 7:30pm every day for the next week.  They are particularly anxious for volunteers for the weekends (this and next).  If you volunteer you will be provided the address and will be briefed on-site by officials there.
There are N-95 masks and nitrile gloves and hand sanitizer at the sites for your use.  You should  bring some water and sandwich or snacks.
 
COPE volunteers will be asked to fill in a Disaster Assistance Worker form and be sworn in so that you are covered for liability.
 
One of our CERTs (Jessica Grace-Gallagher) is managing this process so instead of providing me your response you should go directly to this link:  https://volunteer.cvnl.org/opportunity/a0C0b00000XdqgOEAR
to sign up as a volunteer and indicate which location and which shifts you are volunteering for. 
California Department of Insurance
We at the Department of Insurance want to be of assistance to you during this time.  Attached you will find resources to help you assist constituents who may be impacted by the wildfires.  

Some of this information may be helpful to all homeowners and renters in California, including the Evacuation Checklist and Home Inventory Guide.  There is also an app which is available for both iPhone (https://tinyurl.com/appleevacuationchecklist) and Android (https://tinyurl.com/androidevacuationchecklist) to assist your constituents in creating a home inventory.
 
Along with the attachments, following are some links that may also be helpful:  
 
Commissioner’s Latest Press Release:  Wildfire evacuees may be eligible for cost reimbursement from their insurance company: 
http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2020/release074-2020.cfm
 
Resources to Help Recent Wildfire Victims:  https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/WildfireResources.cfm
 
Evacuation Checklist for Policyholders:  https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/EvacuationChecklist.cfm
 
The attached brochures and more detailed information can also be found on our website:  https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/03-res/index.cfm

Don't get scammed
Tips to avoid being victimized
Home inventory guide
  
As always, please feel free to call or email me with any questions or concerns your constituents may have. You may also direct them to our hotline that is available for assistance in every language at (800) 927-4357.  
 
Take care and stay safe,
 
Camille Dixon
Camille.Dixon@insurance.ca.gov
California Department of Insurance
Congressman Jared Huffman
The wildfires we’re experiencing this month are some of the largest our state has ever seen, but Californians have learned through experience just what it takes to make it through these disasters. 
 
After several years working with wildfire survivors, I know how complicated and daunting the recovery process can be. This year, we have an added threat that requires adapting the way we respond to fires – the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why I’ve developed a new Wildfire Resource Guide. I want to ensure you have the information and resources needed to safely navigate this fire in the face of a deadly pandemic and can quickly and easily recover when we come out on the other side. 
 
The guide can be found here or by visiting my website. It includes information about all the federal resources currently available to those affected by the fires, including FEMA assistance and Small Business Administration loans. The guide will be updated if and when more resources become available.    
 
My staff and I are here to help in any way we can. We are here for the long haul. Please don’t hesitate to call one of my district offices if you need assistance. If we aren’t the right place to get you what you need, my staff will guide you to the state and local resources too.   
 
Thank you, and stay well.  
Daily Briefings
11AM CALFIRE and Sheriff: Facebook
4PM County Press Conference: Facebook
If you miss them live, they can be found on their websites afterwards. Look under videos.
Caring for Ourselves Holistically
I am currently involved in a virtual 3 day conference for integrative health providers. We have 550 people from all over the US and some international folks attending our conference, an amazing turn out in these challenging times. I bring this up because the word integration seems key for what we are going through right now. When we talk about integrative health care we are talking about integrating conventional medical care with more holistic approaches like acupuncture, herbal medicine and massage. Holistic care is about caring for the mind, body and spirit.
After experiencing 3 fires in 4 years, many of us could benefit greatly from this approach. Whether you are someone who never had to evacuate, someone who lost their home, or if you are a first or second responder, we are all in need of care for ALL aspects of your health; mind, body and spirit. Many resources are listed here but they do not completely address our needs. Reach out to family/friends, other COPE leaders, community members, religious leaders, health care providers, and alternative care providers. Refuel and replenish as we try to integrate this experience into our lives. It will take time. Fortunately, we have each other. Take good care of yourself, Priscilla
 
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