The Red Guide To Recovery

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When someone experiences a devastating loss due to a fire, earthquake, flood, tornado or any other major disaster, they become overwhelmed with a great amount of stress and uncertainty. The Red Guide to Recovery, a new book that gives residents a road map of what to do after a disaster, was created to address such emotions by providing information and resources needed to cope with tragedy.

In addition to a 10-Point Quick Start checklist for the first 24 hours of recovery, the Red Guide to Recovery includes detailed chapters on the following topics:

•    Emergency services to secure and protect property   
•    Displacement and relocation tips  
•    Disaster relief and financial assistance   
•    Homeowners insurance issues after a loss   
•    Personal property considerations   
•    Smoke and water damage information   
•    Estimating repair costs to structural damages   
•    Selecting a qualified contractor   
•    Public insurance adjuster services   
•    Hazardous material concerns   
•    Safety and precautions after a disaster   
•    Trauma intervention and grief counseling   
•    Phone directory with local, state, and federal government agencies, insurance companies and websites

The Red Guide to Recovery website also provides a list of Recovery Tools, available at no cost, that are extremely useful as an individual begins the recovery process. Information and tips needed for safe clean-up, successful rebuilding and managing insurance claims is offered, including:

•    Personal Property Memory Jogger   
•    Insurance Agency, U.S. Government, and State Phone and Contact Directory   
•    San Diego COunty Phone and Contact Directory   
•    Disaster Recovery Resources   
•    Disaster Scams   
•    Disaster Preparedness Resources   
•    Insurance Claim Resources   
•    Tribal Community Resources

President of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs' Association & Fire Chief of the San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District, Augie Ghio, explained, "It gives them the helpful steps immediately after their event to help them through the recovery process including displacement and relocation, safety after a disaster, contractor selection." 

"We didn't know where to go.  We felt like somebody had taken a 2x4 and hit us over the head. We felt like zombies," expressed Daniel Lamborn, SD County Chief Deputy District Attorney and fire victim of the 2007 Wildfires. "Victims in the future won't have to go through exactly what we did and our neighbors did. They'll have a guide in their hands to guide them through."

The funding for this amazing resource came from County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services, who funded $75,000 from a state grant, and the San Diego/Imperial County Red Cross, who contributed $20,000. "We had funding to print 6,000 of these guides in English and 2,000 of these guides in Spanish, and we're distributing today 3,000 to 54 fire agencies throughout San Diego County," added Ghio.

Red Guide to Recovery was made possible through funding by the following sponsors:

•    American Red cross   
•    San Diego County Fire Chief's Association   
•    County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services   
•    San Miguel Fire Consolidated Protection District   
•    County of San Diego   
•    California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

If a large-scale disaster were to occur, large quantities of this guide can be produced. The Red Guide to Recovery can also be tailored for any city or state. They are currently in the process of working to expand it across California.

The Red Guide to Recovery and a Quick Start Guide are also available online at www.theredguidetorecovery.com, where it will be updated annually in both English and Spanish. 

Contributors to this story:
Barbara Brooks - Video story
Phil Malget - Camera/Editing
Renee Marquart - Text Story




Author:Barbara Brooks - FDNNTV.com