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From : Lila Hayes
Sent : Dec 02, 2007
Subject : Disaster Survivor Network Email Newsletter

 Disaster Survivor Network Email Newsletter

Information compiled by
Disaster Survivor Network
www.disastersurvivornetwork.com
909-266-1459 vm/fax
 
It might seem strange that I haven't sent out an email even though we experienced the biggest disaster since 2003, but maybe it will make more sense when I tell you that at it's closest point, the fire burnt only about 3-4 miles from my house. In east county (where I live on the western most edge) there were over 250 homes burned. Overall in San Diego over 2,000 homes burned in variously named fires.
 
Being so close to my house there wasn't any way I could sit still. I am in the process of trying to help the east county residents organized. Between that and my family and job, I have barely had time to breathe.
 
I hope this finds you all well and that you have a very Merry Christmas!
 
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Index
 1. Radio Interview this Tuesday
 2. Meetings in Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs
 
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In The News
 1. San Bernardino Sun 2007 Firestorm Coverage
 2. Riverside Press Enterprise 2007 Firestorm Coverage
 3. San Diego Union Tribune 2007 Firestorm Coverage
 4. Survey: Focus on kids in disaster
 5.'CJ's Bus' ready to roll to help children
 6. U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee Passes The Homeowners Defense Act of 2007
 7. Insurance for the Next Big One (Editorial)
 
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On The Web
 1. East County Survivors
 2. Interactive San Diego Fire Map
 3. CARe is still accepting donations
 
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1. Radio Interview this Tuesday
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On Tuesday, Dec 4 at 12 noon (PT) I'm going to be on a radio show hosted by Dianne Brandon http://www.dianebrandon.com based (I think the show is based back east) talking about disaster recovery. You can listen online at :

http://www.modavox.com/Voiceamericacms/WebModules/HostModaview.aspx?HostId=381&ChannelId=5&Flag=1

 
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2. Meetings in Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs
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I've been contacted by a few people who want to help the new fire survivors up the hill. You should know that the organization up there that was created after the Old Fire is still in existence and has stepped up to get them months ahead of where we were this time 4 years ago. If you know anyone who lost their home up the hill, please refer them to Rebuilding Mountain Hearts and Lives which can be contacted at www.heartsandlives.org.
 
George Kehrer has returned to Southern California and CARe has started doing meetings up there. In fact, this weekend was their initial meeting. In fact in Pat's words:
"The meeting at Lake Arrowhead had over 200 people in attendance (during an ice storm) and was one of the best initial meetings we’ve had yet.  The response has been amazing! George has had seemingly non-stop consultations since the meetings..."
If you'd like to help the new fire survivors please contact Rebuilding Mountain Hearts and Lives to see if there are opportunities. If you'd just like to show your support you can watch CARe's website for an updated list of workshops. www.carehelp.org
 
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In The News
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Instead of trying to pick from the hundreds of articles written, here is a link to their coverage page.
 
1. San Bernardino Sun 2007 Firestorm Coverage
http://www.sbsun.com/fire
 
2. Riverside Press Enterprise 2007 Firestorm Coverage
http://www.pe.com/digitalextra/metro/wildfires/
 
3. San Diego Union Tribune 2007 Firestorm Coverage
 
Here are other articles I found that might be of interest
 
4. Survey: Focus on kids in disaster
Emergency medical response teams ill-prepared to care for children in time of catastrophe.
BY STAFF REPORT | LITTLE ROCK, Ark. | October 2, 2007
 
Emergency medical response services in the United States are poorly prepared in a disaster to deal with children, who are the most vulnerable during a catastrophic event, according to a new survey.

"Although children are among the most vulnerable in the event of disaster, there are substantial deficiencies in the preparedness plans of pre-hospital emergency medical services agencies in the United States for the care of children in a mass-casualty event," the survey said.
 
http://www.disasternews.net:80/news/article.php?articleid=3464
 
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5.'CJ's Bus' ready to roll to help children
Bus is first in the nation to provide mobile day care immediately after a disaster.
BY P.J. HELLER | EVANSVILLE, Ind. | October 2, 2007

 
At first glance in a disaster area, it may seem like an incongruous sight.

A large bus painted bright yellow and black with the smiling face of a young boy on the side giving a two thumbs up sign.

"CJ's Bus," announces large lettering on the side of the vehicle. "A safe haven for children in disaster."
 
http://www.disasternews.net:80/news/article.php?articleid=3463
 
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6. U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee Passes The Homeowners Defense Act of 2007
Press Release | House Committee on Financial Services
For Immediate Release: September 26, 2007
Washington, DC - Homeowners throughout Florida and the United States are one step closer to getting the relief they need when it comes to the high-cost of their homeowners insurance.  The House Financial Services Committee today passed H.R.3355, the Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2007, sponsored by Reps. Ron Klein (D-FL) and Tim Mahoney (D-FL), with a bipartisan majority.  The legislation offers a unique and innovative approach to addressing the growing crisis in the availability and affordability of homeowners insurance.
 
"Today is truly a historic victory for Florida families in that the House Financial Services Committee passed our Homeowners’ Defense Act,” said Klein. “I am incredibly grateful to Chairman Frank and to the Members of the Committee – both Democrats and Republicans – who truly understand the magnitude of the homeowners’ insurance crisis and the need to tackle this issue in a straightforward, innovative way.  This is not just a Florida issue. With the rising number of catastrophes throughout the United States, ranging from states like New York and California to the Midwest, more and more people are realizing this is an issue that cannot be ignored. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress as we move forward toward passing this bill in the House of Representatives.”
 
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/financialsvcs_dem/press092607.shtml
 
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7. Insurance for the Next Big One (Editorial)
October 1, 2007, NY Times
 
There is impeccable logic to the argument that taxpayers should not be made to pay for the risks incurred by people who choose to live along a hurricane-prone coast or atop a major geological fault.
 
More than half of all Americans, however, live within 50 miles of a coast. With premiums rising relentlessly and insurers cutting hundreds of thousands of homeowner policies from the Gulf of Mexico up the East Coast to Florida and Long Island, there is a real danger that millions might soon be unable to purchase insurance. That’s a compelling argument for government help.
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/opinion/01mon1.html?_r=3&n=Top/Opinion/Editorials%20and%20Op-Ed/Editorials&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
 
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On The Web
---
1. East County Survivors
This is the group I'm starting to organize
www.harrisfirerecovery.org
 
2. Interactive San Diego Fire Map
http://www.signonsandiego.com/firemap/
 
3. CARe is still accepting donations
CARe is the organization who came to our community and helped us organize. They have started providing support in the aftermath of this new wildfire as well. If you feel so inclined, they are accepting donations. You can send a check to the address listed on their website:
http://www.carehelp.org/about_care/aboutcare.htm
 
 
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