Planning Panel Hears Evacuation Plan

by Bobbi Zane

“Public safety prompted the Board of Supervisors” to direct communities to create protection and evacuation plans in case of emergency, Herman Riddick told members of the Julian Planning Group at their regular meeting, held on Aug. 9.

He urged the group to review the project and recommend establishment of a community team to develop the protection/evacuation plan. The presentation offered an overview of what the plan needs to address. After listening to the presentation, the planning group suggested that the Julian Fire Safe Council might be the appropriate local organization to take the lead in addressing the disaster issues.

Riddick offered a four-step process to get this work underway. Convene a meeting of local decision makers; involve public safety agencies; engage interested parties; and develop a community protection plan using the template available from the county Office of Emergency Services.

Riddick told the group that the office has developed a template for communities to use to address the numerous elements of an effective protection and evacuation plan. Ultimately, the plan would help officials at the local, state and federal level to work from the same plan book in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

The process calls for establishment of a local group to address pertinent issues. They would assess potential for damage from a variety of hazards, identify agencies that need to be involved, and generate a public awareness plan in the event disaster strikes.

Preparedness issues that need to be addressed in a community like Julian include: fire safe landscaping and vegetation management; a checklist for homeowners and family disaster plan; animal control, livestock and pets; and signs for homes evacuated. Evacuation issues include evacuation management…a big concern, according to Riddick. “During the Cedar Fire last fall, traffic backed up on I-15 for miles. “He suggested public agencies need better communication to address this issue.