Please keep our fellow Rotarian’s and their families in your hearts and prayers as our brave First-Responders fight the Airport and Line Fires. Many of our Rotary families are directly affected; others are part of the First Responder teams and volunteers actively trying to save homes and lives.

Here is an update from our Community Services Director, Chuck Weisbart.

As all of us are impacted by the fires here in our district, please remember that your district team is here to support you in any way we can. Please get in touch with Chuck (Cheeze) Weisbart at 760-578-3592 or [email protected] with any needs that surface. Remember that club presidents and assistant governors are leaders and will do whatever they can to help direct you in any way they can. 

The fire chiefs have requested body wipes, neck cooling pads, deodorant, baby wipes, and overall hygiene items for the frontline firefighters. Initially, these items were collected from all over the district at Diamond Chevrolet and are now being consolidated to be transferred to the frontline from Arrowhead United Way. Our clubs have come to the rescue.

Here are some tools for you to refer to if you are near an evacuation area:

See an evacuation map here. Also, Cal Fire has an online tool that lets residents and business owners quickly determine the evacuation status for their street address. Find the tool here.

Evacuation Reminders
1- Put together a “Plan B” so that if you have to evacuate, you have something written down or in your phone with a list of items of maximum importance.
2-Create a “Go Box” of all the documents: medical records, insurance policies, contact information, trusts, passports, birth certificates, bank statements, family albums, and the works! Have the go box where you can grab it quickly and not have to think about it. When the stuff hits the fan, and you are told you have to evacuate……., it is not the time to figure out what you should and should not take.
3-Pack a piece of luggage with 1-2 weeks of medications and clothing that can be washed quickly and worn again.
4-Video your home: Every single room, hallway, and exterior. If you have furniture with expensive items, open up the doors and video the inside contents (fine china, crystal, silver….., etc.). Keep the video on your phone, send it to yourself, and send it to a family member who does not live with you.
5-Have a list of potential relocation destinations (with phone numbers). Call someone out of the area and tell them you may need to crash at their house for a few days. It is better to have them feel comfortable about it than crash at the last minute.

Remember: WE ARE HERE FOR YOU 24/7/365!  Your Rotary family is just that; we will do whatever we can.

Many members have contacted us with available rooms in their homes to help our members if needed. I have a list, and it is growing. I will tell you the love that has accompanied the offers is incredible! We can’t even begin to thank our members enough who have stepped up to help in any way they can.