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- Info
Builder beware
| Author: |
O'Connor, Matt |
| Date: |
1998 |
| Periodical: |
National Fire Protection Association Journal |
| Abstract: |
Despite advancements over the past 12 years, wildfires continue to claim more lives and property each year, as demonstrated by wildland/urban interface fires in California, including the 1991 Oakland conflagration, the 1993 Laguna Beach fires, and the 1996 Calabasa fire, as well as major fires in Michigan, Oregon, Colorado, New Jersey, Washington, and most recently, Florida. Such incidents serve as a constant reminder of the need for active measures to prevent fires from starting in the interface, as well as action plans to deal with fires once they've started. The key lies in changing peoples attitudes toward fire protection and prevention. Different agencies must learn to work together to develop effective fire protection programs, and home owners must be made to understand that fire departments in interface areas often aren't equipped or trained to fight complex interface fires that involve vegetation and structures. More important, everyone who lives in the wildland/urban interface must take responsibility for the fire safety of their homes and communities. As Smalley explains, "The message we have to send is that if you're willing to take the risk of moving to an interface area, you have to be willing to take the responsibility that goes along with it.." |
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