I just read a post by a fellow MySpace buddy that gave suggestions on how to reach out and offer a helping hand to those affected by the wildfires. The first item on the list was to call the local fire department and offer to man phone lines or deliver food. It was, I’m certain, all with good intentions, but it wasn’t exactly sage advice.
I strongly urge anyone interested in helping not to attempt to offer help to fire stations, departments or staging areas. You will become a hindrance, not a help. During firestorms like these, firefighters in stations are trying to get some sleep. They’ve been out on the lines for hours and even if they’re not on the lines, they’re working plenty of overtime hours covering the stations while their comrades are out fighting on the lines. Please, unless it’s an emergency (and really, you should call 9-1-1 if that’s the case), let them be.
Along those lines, do not call into the fire call centers. These lines need to be kept open to communicate with the fire line personnel, incident commanders and for emergencies only! Calling to see if Great Aunt May on Elm Street is okay is not an emergency. Sorry.
Taking food to the fire stations isn’t the best way to help out. I’ve seen boatloads of food on the counters in the fire stations that well-meaning folks have dropped off. Quite honestly, that’s very disruptive even though the firefighters will gladly take the food and later, quietly dump it because they can only eat so much. It would be far more compassionate if you’d leave the firefighters be and deliver that food to the local shelters including the pet shelters where volunteers would truly appreciate some decent food. Because believe you me, the firefighters eat well. 
Volunteer at shelters. Pet food, water bowls, bottled water, blankets, fans and time are all appreciated by the animal shelters. Evacuation shelters can always use cots, sleeping bags, pillows, small children’s toys and books. Contact Salvation Army and the Red Cross before you bring your donations, they’ll direct you to the location where those things can be left off.
Donate blood. During emergencies like this, blood becomes scarce.
Something that popped up on Craig’s List during and after the Humboldt Fire were posts offering up free or low-cost space at hotels, RV campgrounds, people’s backyards, etc. for fire victims. Others were giving away camping equipment, kitchen appliances big and small, beds, bedding, etc. free to fire victims. Consider doing something of the like. Of course you run the risk of someone taking advantage, but walking across the street poses a risk too, right? Yet these are things you can do to help out.
Do not:
- attempt to call loved ones that are in the fire ravaged area
You could prevent them from getting an important reverse 911
call ordering them to evacuate.
- go to restaurants, supermarkets, etc. asking for donations to take
to the firefighters unless you first obtain permission to do so and have
the proper credentials. Remember, it’s best to take that food to the
shelters anyway.
- drive into the fire ravaged areas. You are preventing residents to
make safe passage out and you can easily become a victim. Fires
of this nature move fast and even overwhelm the men and women
trained to fight fires.
- call into the fire centers unless it is a legitimate emergency!
And something you can do anytime and anywhere: keep our firefighters and the fire victims in your thoughts and prayers. If positive thinking has been scientifically proven to help medicinally, you bet your bottom dollar it can help now too.
Sign me,
The Biggest Volunteer of the All,
A Firefighter’s Wife
Side note: I chose not to go with pictures this time. I wanted to make sure the message was LOUD and c l e a r.
