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Community Assisting Recovery, Inc.

“Survivors Helping Survivors” • 888-216-8264 • carehelp.org

This Week’s Meeting Schedule:

Insurance/Recovery Tip:

One Year Later... from a 2003 Fire Survivor

About a year after the fire I asked other 2003 survivors if they had any tips to give. Rick and Sharon Cords lost their house to the Old Fire in San Bernardino. Here’s what they had to say:

“We would like to bring to the attention of those who are in the process of rebuilding to ask their contractors about the security of the build site and the security of the house.  Last Saturday night or early Sunday morning, our home was broken into and several thousands of dollars worth of tools and boxed fixtures that were placed into the garage to be installed this week were taken.  Our tile man is from San Diego, so he was leaving his tools on the job site, in a back room not seen from the street, as he worked while staying in a motel in town.  The "bad guys" took most of his tools, grinders, table tile saw, flood lights, and more. He figures about $6000 to $7000 worth.  Most of the fixtures taken were faucets, sinks, shower fixtures, toilets, etc. etc., but costs are in the thousands as well.  Guess these things are easily sold, according to the San Bernardino City Police, at swap meets, yard sales, etc.

“Please tell folks to make sure their contractor(s) is insured.  Have them ask their contractor what they are doing, or are going to do, for security on the job site?  We just didn't think about this ... the doors and windows were all locked, or so we thought.  At least we were not vandalized, as some other builds have been, or so we were told. 

“It is important that any items removed from property be reported to the police!  Even if it is just a few used bricks ... maybe those were needed in the rebuild!  Any vandalism should be reported as well.  We have asked that the police patrol the rebuild areas on a regular basis more often.  They made no promises, but if everyone that has a rebuild going on would request the same, then maybe it could be implemented for all of us.”

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CARe Update:

Thank You Party for George and Pat

This Wednesday in San Diego we’re having a Thank You party for George and Pat. Details are above (in the Meeting Schedule). We hope you can attend!

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Sempra/SCE Update:

SDG&E shelves shut-off plan for this year
October 30, 2008

Turning off power to 45,000 backcountry users during extreme fire danger is officially off the table for this year, San Diego Gas & Electric Co. announced Thursday ---- but the utility is still pushing for the controversial plan as an option during next year's fire season.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/10/30/news/sandiego/z6f4766f195694d3f882574f2007ead14.txt

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Disaster Recovery News:                   

The Road to Recovery
October 27, 2008

A year has passed since the Grass Valley and Slide Fires swept through the mountain communities, destroying 450 structures and damaging 65 others. Over the course of that year the fire survivors have dealt with insurance companies, architects, contractors and real estate agents. They have attended countless meetings offering advice on how to struggle through the whole process.

http://crestlinecourier-news.com/articles/2008/10/27/news/news1.txt

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Insurance Industry News:                  

Fiscal Crisis Is Opportunity For Insurers, Says Lloyd’s NA Pres
Nov. 14, 2008

NEW YORK —The current financial climate is an opportunity for insurers to make needed changes, the new president of Lloyd’s North America told an insurance industry group meeting here.

http://www.propertyandcasualtyinsurancenews.com/cms/nupc/Breaking%20News/2008/11/14-APIW-Web-cm

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Disaster Prepared:

[Editor’s note: Although this article is about Santa Clarita, almost every city now has a reverse 911 system. Find yours and make sure you add your cell phone to it if your area has that ability.]

Keep yourself informed during major emergencies
Oct. 18, 2008 

In the digital world, people’s need to access real-time information transcends simply 24-hour national and world news sources and must include local happenings.

http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/4984/

An news story about the reverse 911 system in San Diego can be found at:

http://www.10news.com/video/17792026/index.html

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Disaster News:

Firestorm 2008
[Editor’s Note:] Close to 1,000 households are without homes and the LA Fires are still not contained. There is so much reported in LA and Santa Barbara that it’s almost too hard to pick just one, but I thought this article would be particularly poignant for some.

For Sylmar fire victim, it's third home to be lost
November 16, 2008

Danny Rios is a native Angeleno who, until late Saturday night, loved his hometown unconditionally.

That was before Rios, 73, and his wife Mary, 71, raced away from their well-tended home at the Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar even as a wildfire tore through the 608-unit complex.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/11/danny-rios-is-a.html

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Quote of the Week:                   

"There ought to be a national registry of child molesters and insurance company executives, because I hold them in the same very low esteem.”

         - US Representative Gene Taylor (D), Mississippi

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Community Assisting Recovery, Inc.

19360 Rinaldi Street, PMB 220, Northridge CA 91326
www.carehelp.org
888-216-8264