Insurance, brush control, evacuation plans and kitchen safety are some of the topics from the fire seminar

Know what your homeowner's insurance covers and upgrade as necessary. Know what to do if your stove catches on fire. Store important personal papers and copies in an accessible - preferably fireproof - place. Have an evacuation plan.

These suggestions and more were offered to an audience of some 40-plus residents by a panel at TWCM Project 19's fire seminar held March 28 in the Fireside Room.

The panel included GRF CEO Alan Gardner, General Counsel Shannon Walpole, two residents and three representatives from the Contra Costa County Fire Prevention District (CCFPD). The program was moderated by Project 19 Director Pauline Kelzer.

Insurance

“Insurance is a boring subject, until of course you need it,” Walpole said, prefacing her discussion of what residents need to know about the subject.

Residents need to be aware of how insurance works, Walpole said, specifically, what they are covered for in their plans and what coverage they may lack. She advised residents to set up appointments to meet with their insurance brokers to go over their coverage and be sure it is sufficient.

It is important, she said, for residents to understand what the Mutual's insurance plan does not cover and to supplement that with personal insurance, thus incurring the least financial loss after a fire.

Mutual property protection does not cover the following, she said: personal property, which is the contents of the manor that are not structural, such as clothing, collectibles, furnishings, etc.; loss of use, which includes expenses to live elsewhere while a building is being rebuilt; and personal liability, which includes anything that happens to anyone within the residence.

Walpole cited two residents from the 1959 Golden Rain Road fire in January as examples of why this is important. Neither resident had personal insurance and therefore no loss of use coverage to pay for them to live elsewhere during the months/years that it will take to rebuild the burned building.

The Mutual's insurance does cover the replacement of the building and its figures, brought up to current building codes and including all previously approved alterations, Walpole said. The alterations must be able to be verified at the time of loss, though, she said, which means they must have been permitted through the resident's Mutual and Mutual Operations.

Permits through the city alone will not qualify for insurance coverage through the Mutual.

It is advisable for residents to also have loss assessment coverage, even if the alterations have been permitted, Walpole said. The Mutuals have $100,000 deductibles and may not pay for replacement of alterations, depending on the CC&Rs, she said.

Gardner said residents should go through the process now of permitting those alterations that were made without approval of the Mutual for their future protection.

As for the coupon assessment, Walpole said that some Mutuals can legally waive the monthly fees for fire victims, but other Mutuals cannot, based on their bylaws. It is safest to assume that the assessment (the coupon payment) will continue even after displacement, she said.

A resident asked why the rebuilding - which Walpole said will most likely take two or more years - should take so long.

There is much that goes into the process, Walpole said, and many of the steps include long waits. It took, for instance, a month for fire and insurance investigations at 1959 Golden Rain Road before demolition could be arranged.

Drawings and drawing approvals take months. Permitting takes a long time. And so on, she said.

In the case of 1959 Golden Rain Road, some of the process has been hurried along by the fact that the foundation was salvageable, and there may be a way to use drawings from an earlier rebuild of the same type of building rather than drafting new drawings, Walpole said.

All parties involved are basically doing all they can to expedite the rebuild, she said. “(We're) jumping through a lot of hoops.”

Defensible space

George Laing, the CCFPD coordinator for exterior hazard control, spoke about the importance of proper landscape care and brush removal in the areas around buildings.

“In response to fire district concerns about fuel loading in what is known as the wildland-urban interface, (GRF Landscape Manager) Rich Perona and (Mutual Operations Director) Paul Donner have within a year initiated a very progressive and aggressive policy of controlling fuels,” Laing said.

“Defensible space” refers to reducing the fuels in a wildland fire situation that could potentially threaten a structure, he said. When vegetation burns, it can cast burning embers toward structures, setting them alight.

Project 19, which includes Skycrest Drive, is especially susceptible because of the canyons surrounding it. Structures at the top of canyons are particularly vulnerable because of the “funnel effect” of fire behavior that causes fire to rise.

The goal, Laing said, is to limit the fuel around structures that might ignite the structures, causing the structure to become added fuel. “We're trying to interrupt the path of travel of fire from grass to brush to trees to structures,” he said.

While generally the most important person protecting a house from wildfires is the property owner, Rossmoor is a unique place that requires special coordination, Laing said.

“I can testify to you from working with Rich Perona, that MOD has really got your best interests in mind,” he said. “They are very well prepared and they have a strategy to help you do this fuel reduction around structures.”

A video of this information will be available in the Rossmoor Library, Kelzer said.

Personal fire prevention behavior

Kitchen fires are the number-one types of fires in this district, said CCFPD Education Division Supervisor Jojy Smith. The basic causes of kitchen fires are usually neglect (walking away to do something else while something is on the stove) or having combustibles too close to a flame (pot holders, sleeves, etc).

What a person does in the first few seconds of a kitchen fire is critical.

Smith asked the audience to suggest the first thing an individual should do in the event of a small stovetop fire. “Salt,” one person said. “Baking soda,” said another. Traditional ideas, but ineffective, Smith said.

The answer? Smother the fire with a pot lid. Be sure the heat is off. Then, even after the fire appears contained, leave the lid on. For safety sake, call the fire department to be sure the fire is truly out. Never use water on a grease fire.

If the fire is too big for the pot lid, get out. Smith said that unless an individual is familiar with a fire extinguisher and how to use it, don't try; it is best to evacuate instead.

Evacuate

Aline Wilson shared her experience helping during the carport fire on March 21 at Golden Rain Road, Entry 3.

She was boiling eggs when she noticed a plume of smoke, Wilson said, and heard someone shouting “Fire!” She did three things first: She turned off the stove, grabbed the dog leash, and closed all her doors and windows. And then she did the most important thing - she got out.

Then Wilson went to check the carports and see who was home, after which she went from door to door, banging and calling “Fire; get out now!”

Project 19 Entry 16 Emergency Preparedness Entry Coordinator Sheila Gorsuch congratulated Wilson for doing the right thing. Gorsuch stressed the importance of evacuation and said suggestions for routes in the event of a large-scale event were being determined and would be published as soon as available.

Residents should be sure they have their EvacPacs by the door, ready to go. Each pack should include a list of the resident's medications with a three-day supply included. She also suggested having a backpack with other essentials next to the door.

Other suggestions include having photocopies made of all pertinent papers and storing them at a relative's or trusted friend's home, then keeping the originals of birth certificates and other important paperwork in a safe deposit box at the bank. Being able to retrieve information after a fire is critical and it may not be possible to return to the manor, and/or the paperwork may be destroyed in the fire.

Residents should have an evacuation plan and should practice their exit until it is routine, Gorsuch said.

Another key step to protecting oneself is communication and employing the buddy system, she said. “It's important for us to know who our neighbors are.”

Finally, Gorsuch put forth what she called the “Five P's” - prior planning prevents poor performance.

“It's proven that those who are prepared are better able to survive in an emergency,” she said.

Insurance, brush control, evacuation plans and kitchen safety are some of the topics from the fire seminar

Know what your homeowner's insurance covers and upgrade as necessary. Know what to do if your stove catches on fire. Store important personal papers and copies in an accessible - preferably fireproof - place. Have an evacuation plan.

Aquatics Advisory Committee to discuss issues related to new covered pool

The Aquatics Advisory Committee will discuss resident identification and guest access to the covered pool at its meeting on Thursday, April 12, at 1:30 p.m. in the Board Room at Gateway. Any resident who wishes to speak on that topic is invited to attend the meeting.

Board Actions

GRF Board March actions

Channel 28 begins airing PSAs on fire safety and emergency preparedness

In an effort to provide more information on fire safety and prevention and emergency preparedness, Channel 28 will be running public service announcements (PSA) created by the state of California and provided by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Community Club to hear from drama critic Pat Craig

The Community Club's guest speaker will be Pat Craig, drama critic for the Contra Costa Times, at the meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 10, at 3 p.m. in Peacock Hall at Gateway.

CORG April meeting to focus on preserving life and lifestyle

Preserving one's life is obviously everyone's top concern but the quality of life and lifestyle is also of major import.

Democrats enjoy pasta at the April 26 meeting

The Democrats of Rossmoor will have a pasta supper on Thursday, April 26, at 6 p.m. in the Sierra Room at Del Valle Clubhouse. The evening will begin in the Delta Room at 5 p.m. with an open bar, featuring wine and soft drinks.

Four wireless hot spots are set up in Rossmoor, laptop users can go wireless to hook to Internet

The Golden Rain Foundation has installed four Wi-Fi “hot spots” in Rossmoor for resident use. The hot spots are located in the Mutual Operations building at 800 Rockview Drive; in the Board Room at Gateway; in Peacock Hall at Gateway; and Del Valle Clubhouse.

Free income tax service ends next Wednesday

There are only two days left for free income tax service by trained AARP Tax-Aide Counselors.

Free transportation available for disabled and seniors

Persons with disabilities and low income people 65 and older may be eligible for free transportation service in Contra Costa County, under the Mobility for Independence Program.

Friday Lunch is a happening place

Residents who are looking for a little lunchtime socializing while getting a good value should try Friday Lunch.

GRF Board gives OK to keep Stair-Trac program going, but conditions will be set for use

After pleas from residents during the Residents Forum at the March 29 GRF Board meeting, the Board voted to authorize contracting with Securitas for the continuation of the Stair-Trac wheelchair-assistance program.

GRF Board to consider Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy for directors

The following is the GRF Policy Committee's proposed “Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy” that was discussed at the GRF Board meeting on March 29 and will be up for a vote at the April meeting.

Learn how to protect yourself and neighbors from West Nile virus

Rossmoor residents will get the lowdown on West Nile virus prevention tactics at a special presentation here on Wednesday, April 25. The county's Mosquito Abatement District is the sponsor of the program, which will feature various presentations and the distribution of free mosquito repellent.

Lions Club to hold fund-raising luau in May

Enjoy the experience of paradise in Rossmoor at the Lions Club Luau fund-raiser, which will be held indoors this year at Del Valle Clubhouse on Saturday, May 12, at 5 p.m.

Lions seek mail-in White Cane donations

Inserted in this issue of the News is a goldenrod flyer that is stapled to a self-addressed envelope with a miniature white cane inside. The flyer is put out by the Rossmoor Lions Club as an appeal for community support of its annual White Cane Days fund-raiser for the benefit of the blind and visually impaired.

Meetings

All Golden Rain Foundation, Mutual and committee meetings listed here are open to Rossmoor residents. Meeting times and locations are subject to change. For information in GRF Board meetings, call Executive Secretary Paulette Jones at 988-7711; for information on Third Mutual meetings, call Sue Kotchou at 988-7718; and for information on all other Mutual meetings, call Dyann Paradise at 988-7775.

Monthly Report

February resales up andemergency preparedness update

Mutual 8 seeks candidates for election

Mutual Eight will hold an election for two directors to serve on the board of directors, each to serve a three-year term. Those positions are currently held by Barbara McCauley and Bob Viator.

Resident asked to complete survey on Evac Pac inserted in this week's News

Rossmoor residents are being asked to take a few minutes and answer a survey on the Evac Pac and whether they feel it helps with their emergency preparedness. The Evac Pac survey is inserted in today's Rossmoor News along with the other inserts such as Longs and Rite-Aid.

Securitas Report

The following incidents were reported to Securitas, Rossmoor's security service provider. They appear here as they were initially reported to Securitas. After investigation, details of a case may indicate a lesser or different incident description.

Sign up for travel training to learn to ride the county buses

Learn more about how to get around on the County Connection. The Rossmoor Transportation Department offers Travel Training on Friday, April 6.

Take a “Roman Holiday” with Kiwanis Club's Alzheimer's-Parkinson's fund-raiser

It will be a “Roman Holiday” when the 22nd annual Rossmoor Kiwanis Club's Alzheimer's-Parkinson's dinner takes place on Saturday, May 5, in the Fireside Room at Gateway.

Treasurer's Report

The following is the GRF Treasurer's Report presented at the March 29 GRF Board meeting by Treasurer Ron Moschel.

TWCM has openings for directors in six districts

Third Walnut Creek Mutual Secretary Gene J. Wilson announces that nominating petition forms are now available for candidates for the office of director in TWCM districts I, V, VI, IX, XI and XV.