Posted by: Lea_Marie_C_Paar on 05/30/2014 10:48 AM
Updated by: Lea_Marie_C_Paar on 05/30/2014 10:48 AM
Expires: 01/01/2019 12:00 AM
:
Volcano Wildfire Preparedness Game Teaches Fire Safety
Volcano, Ca...Amador County’s first Wildfire Preparedness Game shared preparedness resources and built community resilience for more than 50 participants in Volcano on Sunday, May 25. The players, ranging in age from 4 to 92 years, assembled in Volcano Park where they were given a game sheet that sent them to five different activity stations located around the village. According to the California Department of Water Resources, fire season this year is expected to be severe. The snowpack in the high Sierra is 40 percent of normal. “This was a very appropriate exercise for Volcano, surrounded as it is by thick forest and heavy wild grass that is rapidly turning brown,” said game organizer Jenny Gottstein. The Wildfire Preparedness Game was free and open to public. It presented critical ways to prepare for wildfire in a way that was engaging and fun for all ages...
"Probably the most important message our residents should take away is that defensible space really can make a difference. Defensible space around one home can give that home a chance to survive. If a whole neighborhood does defensible space around each home, they now have a fuel break, giving everyone a chance to come back to their home and to a neighborhood," said Amador Fire Safe Council Director Cathy Breazeal.
Once participants completed each activity, they got a stamp on their game sheet, and could choose a free item to put in their Emergency Go Bag (granola bars, first aid supplies, flashlights & batteries). If they visited all five stations, they were entered into the raffle.
The five stations were:
Map-Making Station - Players drew their evacuation routes on maps based on recommendations from the Amador Fire Safe Council. They also created a family communication plan with emergency contacts and a designated meeting place.
Fire Safety Quiz - Players had a chance to answer questions about fire safety in a game show format with buzzers and question boards. Questions included: “Name 5 foods you can put in your emergency kit” and “What are 3 stations you can tune into for emergency information”
Hands Only CPR - Red Cross hosted a hands-only CPR demonstration and training with mannequins
Defensible Homes Water Balloon Relay - Players were quizzed on preparing their home for wildfire season. For every correct answer, they got to toss a water balloon at one of the Go Game’s awesome volunteers.
Get Ready Video
Players were given props, costumes and a camera to film a 30-second video with tips and advice on fire safety for their family / friends / community.
Local fire departments and emergency agencies were available in town to answer questions and give out additional resources.
Agencies involved:
Amador County Sheriff’s Department, Sgt. Silva, Office of Emergency Services, Amador Fire Safe Council, CalFire, Red Cross, Lockwood Fire District, Sutter Creek FPD, and Sierra Baptist Church
Raffle Contributors
- $50 gift certificate to Hein & Co Bookstore
- 72 Hour Emergency Meal Kit from Minutemen Survival Gear & Supply
- Handcrank Radio from AAA Jackson ($50 value)
- $30 gift certificate to the St George Hotel
- $30 gift certificate to the Union Inn Hotel
-$15 gift certificate to Kneading Dough Bakery
-$15 gift certificate to Volcano General Store
About the organizer
- Jenny Gottstein grew up in Volcano and spent many hot summers cooling off in Sutter Creek. Now she works as a game producer at The Go Game (www.thegogame.com) in San Francisco.
In 2010 she organized an Earthquake Preparedness Game for the Bay Area, and has since developed the concept of Disaster Preparedness Gaming. With the unprecedented drought conditions and alarming wildfires last summer, she was determined to apply her passion towards ensuring the safety of her hometown.
Cutlines
Map-making station
Go Game staffers Jen Vaillancourt and Matthew Tipton managed the Map-Making Station, where players drew evacuation maps and built communication plans
Fire Departments
Representatives from CalFire, Lockwood Station, Sutter Creek FPD, Sierra Baptist Church and Amador Fire Safe Council were available to answer questions about wildfire preparedness strategies and defensible home space during the game.
|
