What we’re doing

1. Building out a bunk house in a partner church to house 48 volunteers for years to come
2. Empowering local churches in reaching their communities now and when areas open for service
3. Holding training events for Ash Out and site coordinators
4. Hosting sifting box construction sites

What we are setting up to do

1. Ash out
2. Chainsaw
3. Heavy equipment
4. Laundry, childcare, feeding, chaplains, intake/case management for the communities in Respite / Resource Centers
5. Long term rebuild

Steps between now and next

While numerous volunteers, churches, and agencies are active distributing groceries and other necessities, that is spearheaded and being done will by local groups. There is not a need to send items to California at this point.

Much of what is going on right now is preparation for when it is safe and appropriate for enter areas for Ash Out and Chainsaw. Ash Out entails training, building screening boxes, and building capacities of local churches connecting them with national partners in the Network. Additionally, our experienced leaders are training the local leaders on incident management which creates structure in a hectic situation.

Before any volunteer agencies can enter the disaster area, a few things must happen.

First, the fire must be fully extinguished.

Second, the area must be canvassed and cleared of hazardous materials which include propane tanks (aboveground or underground), refrigerators, live gas lines, live power lines, remains of family pets, and any victims not yet accounted for.

Third, the approved volunteer agencies can enter with homeowners to begin ash out and the recovery process. It could be weeks from the time the fire is out to the first groups are allowed entry.

The middle term and long-term recovery will include

1. Ash Out
2. Chainsaw
3. Feed lunches to families visiting their homes for the first time
4. Connecting to and assisting with long term rebuild of houses