Editor,
Do you often think about being prepared for an emergency?
I think about wildfire all times of the year. As a member of the Homestead Road Firewise community, our time for fuel reduction and home hardening is transitioning to being prepared to safely evacuate at a moment’s notice.
As a member of CCADT (Central California Animal Disaster Team) I need to be ready to assist people and their animals who have been evacuated and I need to be equally prepared to evacuate my own household and our animals.
But in our busy days, how do we fit in this preparation? It is easy to put off as we make daily choices about how to spend our time, energy and dollars.
I have found small steps are the way to go. So, this is how I have been preparing in the last couple weeks.
First priority — my vehicle. I can’t evacuate or tow a horse trailer if I don’t have a vehicle. Last week I took the trusty Tahoe in for a tire/brake check, oil change and general check-up, needs this whether there is an emergency or not. Needed new rear brakes pads, tire rotation and oil change. Done.
Next, this weekend I tackled the horse trailer. Checked the lights, brakes and tires. Needs left brake light (I’ll get at O’Reilly’s on Monday) and needed more air in tires (thank you, Bill).
Also evaluated what my mares need in the trailer to evacuate. Water tank clean and full, buckets and feed pans, feed and current medications for five days, ordered a new hay bag, added a salt block. Halters with info attached are at ready.
My mares are excellent loaders after years of practice, but if your equines need a refresher, start now before an emergency and get help if you need it. Double checked with friends who have a temporary place for them miles away from here; all is good.
And maybe most important did an evacuation drill for horses with my partner, double checking that they also know how to hitch up trailer, halter and load the girls.
Next week the easy ones. The house pets, who thankfully we don’t have to train to get into a vehicle. But they do need ready to go, temporary crates, bowls, food, leashes, medications, vaccination records, poo bags and chew toys, so I’ll be rechecking their go bags and refreshing their supplies.
Taken in steps, we can and will be ready.
Happy Sierra Foothills summer!
Beth Kellner
Mariposa
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