A haven, but with some caveats
The Red Cross evacuation center at the National Orange Show is a vital resource for thousands of people diplaced by fire. They get shelter, food, and sundry other types of assistance there.
Here is a hazy scene of some kids at the evac center, photo taken by Jeff Malet:
![16608803E[1].jpg](http://www.insidesocal.com/sb/sbnow/16608803E%5B1%5D.jpg)
But the center is not perfect, and for a harrowing few hours Wednesday, it looked like there may have been serious problems.
For a day and a half leading up to mid-day Wednesday, the Red Cross organizers of the event were helpful enough in providing access to media to the facilities. They strictly imposed a no camera rule on the inside of the Dumas and Dome buildings, where evacuees were bunking, on grounds that the center had become their de facto "residence."
Understandable. Weary, homeless people should have a respite from cameras in their face.
But they always allowed reporters in to look around, although they also imposed a strict "no comment" policy to all questions, referring queries to an off-site spokesperson.
That abruptly halted Wednesday, with questions swirling about a 36-year-old man collapsing at the center Tuesday night and later dying (cause is still unknown). At the same time, emergency personnel had moments before rushed at least three people away, witnesses said due to respiratory attacks.
At that point, when there were serious questions as to what was going on in the evacuation center from which people had just been rushed by emergency personnel, the place went on media lockdown.
Staff at the door suddently barred entry to this reporter (and others), imposing a total no media policy inside. I argued vehemently that I should be allowed in for the sake of public transparency, to objectively see just what the conditions inside were like for these men, women and children.
I was rebuffed, angrily, by two separate Red Cross officials guarding the entryway.
More than one hour later I was able to track down center manager Micki Hall, who kindly answered some questions and took me on a guided tour of the facility, which had clearly calmed after what witnesses said was growing restiveness triggered by hot temperatures and poor air quality inside.
A Red Cross spokeswoman told me later, by telephone, that denying reporters access to evacuation areas is not typically condoned and suggested a misunderstanding may have occurred on the grounds.
Below is the story in today's Sun.
SAN BERNARDINO - Jamey Nelson calls his house every hour or so, just to hear his own voice.
"It's my way of checking if I still have something to come home to," Nelson said. "I figure if the fire burned it up, the call wouldn't go through."
So far, the machine has picked up every call.
"I know at least four friends whose places have been burned down," said Nelson, 35, a maintenance technician displaced from his Lake Arrowhead home by the most devastating wildfires to hit Southern California in years.
Nelson, like more than 3,100 others from surrounding mountain communities, flocked to the Red Cross Shelter at the National Orange Show Events Center, where they've been since Monday.
The evacuation center, three buildings sitting in a triangle, brimmed with noticeably more refugees Wednesday than the day before.
"It's organized chaos," said shelter manager Micki Hall. "We've got thousands of people coming through under very stressful conditions, and we're doing well considering the situation."
The shelter was clearly beset by more confusion, restiveness, health problems and even tragedy on Wednesday than the day before.
Daniel Carpenter, a 36-year-old evacuee from Crestline, collapsed Tuesday evening at the center and died Wednesday morning at a local hospital.
The Coroner's Office has not yet determined whether smoke or anything fire-related contributed to Carpenter's death, spokeswoman Sandy Fatland said.
Red Cross officials declined to comment on Carpenter or any others, mostly young and elderly, who were transported from the center by emergency workers Tuesday and Wednesday.
Witnesses on Wednesday said five to seven people had been transported from the center with respiratory difficulties.
In the afternoon, Red Cross officials barred media from the evacuation center's Damus, Dome and Citrus buildings.
Outside, some volunteers and refugees openly questioned the shelter's safety.
"There needs to be filtration systems inside the shelter," said Juana Alvarado, a volunteer. "People are choking on the air."
San Bernardino fire spokesman Steve Tracy said the department fielded seven emergency calls by Wednesday morning when American Medical Response, a private paramedic service, took over and stationed an ambulance at the center.
Red Cross spokeswoman Yevette Ramos said the relief effort was going well, particularly given its scope.
"The shelter is safe," Ramos said. "If a person has medical conditions and the air quality in the area of the shelter is not suited to them, we have medical staff on hand who determine they need alternative accommodations, which we'll provide."
Hall estimated that 250 volunteers and staff were on hand to deal with the swelling crowd.
A higher-than-expected proportion of the refugees were Spanish-speaking, making communication of new developments and instructions difficult.
Hall noted that representatives from the Mexican Consulate were on hand to help translate, and that more Red Cross staff with bilingual skills were on hand Wednesday.
Bobby Vega, a representative from the U.S. Forest Service, said he unexpectedly had to provide language assistance to a number of people.
"They were just not prepared for this population," Vega said.
By Wednesday afternoon, Red Cross officials had closed doors to the Damus Building, the largest shelter, cranked up the air conditioning to cool the rows of hundreds of refugees bunking on military-style cots, and then Hall reopened access to the press for supervised tours.
As for staff temporarily barring access to the press, Ramos said Red Cross policy is to be transparent.
"The Red Cross experience has always been that the media is a friend and not an enemy," she said. "I would not think that (barring media access) would be a practice that we would find acceptable."
The Red Cross reported registering more than 3,100 evacuees at the shelter and providing roughly 10,000 free meals.
Ramos said that by Wednesday the shelter was staffed with the most highly trained volunteers the organization has for major disaster relief.
Still, many of the evacuees were restive with the shortage of answers about the fire's progress and a lack of support beyond food and shelter.
"I've got $200 to my name, I'm not sure about my house and I don't know when I'll be able to go back to work," Nelson said. "The unemployment help and the financial disaster relief - that's what we need right now."
Comments
Nelson and all the other unfortunate people suffering the consequences of the 2007 fire storms may rest assured that, just as in the hangar, in 2003, where we logged over 80 hours volunteering each week, there will be representatives available to assist in filling out forms for every type of aid imaginable.
The touching tale of people calling their home numbers, in hopes of that providing mystic solace, "it's still there ~ if it weren't it wouldn't answer", remind me that there are also competent mental health professionals at the ready to help with the damage to the psyche these fires cause. All of these assistances are free of charge. People should readily avail themselves of the services available to us all during this time of crisis.
We have taken the refreshments from each candidates' forum this week to the eastern parking lot at NOS and offered the delectable treats to those who wish to remain, for whatever reasons, in the parking lots. There are VERY MANY people in the parking lots ~ living out of doors.
This is a phenomena that also occurred during the 2003 fire storm. We had forgotten that peculiarity. It all came flooding back as soon as we approached NOS, Monday evening. People everywhere. Outside. Living. People just like me and you. There, but for the grace of God, any of us could end up ~ we all are but one ember away from devastation.
After the fires of 2003, we made it a point to stock up on particulate masks. It would be prudent for anyone to have some on hand and use them, changing them as the package indicates ~ not all last for the same amount of time.
This year, because of other events taking place simultaneously, we are unable to focus 16 hours a day on serving the victims of the fire ~ be they dislocated due to temporary situations or newly homeless due to their home being consumed in fire. We are very satisfied and pleased to see the level of participation from others meetings all needs. None of us are indispensable, yet all of us hold the potential for filling a vital role.
As in 2003, this fire storm has struck when children's thoughts are on candy and costumes. We have amassed goodies for the children and hope others, too, will offer what they can. No child should need to sit on a cot, their home destroyed, their dreams of fun dashed. Please, bring what you can to help.
One of the attendees of last evening's forum asks that 2nd Corinthians 10-4 be remembered at this time. I will provide that text here:
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,
That said, here is the link to the county's very informative page on obtaining and providing help during the fires:
http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/evocdata.asp
As of 8:15 tonight, the frequently updated page shares that,
Fires are burning at these locations:
# Grass Valley Fire - is burning in a southerly direction in the Lake Arrowhead and Twin Peaks area. Fire is at 1000+ acres with extensive spot fires and 5% containment. Structural damage is 100+ structures.
# Slide Fire - is burning 5,000 plus acres in the Green Valley Lake and Running Springs area. Overnight the fire burned around the west side of Running Springs and is now established along Hwy. 330 below the Fredalba area. Structural damage includes 125 plus structures.
# Martin Ranch Fire - Has been contained.
# Freeway Fire - Has been contained.
# Walker Fire - Has been contained.
Animal Evacuations - The National Orange Show fairgrounds in the City of San Bernardino and the Victorville Fairgrounds. Due to the Cajon Pass closure, an alternate livestock shelter has been established at the Glen Helen Rodeo Grounds - 2555 Glen Helen Parkway, Devore.
Human Evacuations
Orange Show Fairgrounds - 689 South E Street, San Bernardino
Victorville Fairgrounds - 14800 7th St., Victorville
Animal Evacuations (dogs & cats)
Devore Animal Shelter - 19777 Shelter Way, Devore
San Bernardino Valley Humane Society - 374 W. Orange Show Road, San Bernardino
Large Animal/Livestock Evacuations
Victorville Fairgrounds - 14800 7th St., Victorville
Glen Helen Rodeo Grounds - 2555 Glen Helen Parkway, Devore
Road closures:
* All roadways into the San Bernardino Mountains remain closed to upbound, non-emergency traffic. Evacuees are strongly urged not to use State Route 330 to leave the mountain.
School Closures:
* The following districts have closed all schools through Friday, October 26, 2007.
Please refer to each District’s website for additional school closure information:
o San Bernardino City
o Rim of the World
o Redlands Unified and Yucaipa-Calimesa.
* Cal State San Bernardino will be closed through Friday, October 26, 2007.
* San Bernardino Valley College is closed, Wednesday, October 24, 2007.
* Crafton Community College will be closed through Thursday, October 25, 2007.
* SBCSS Community Day Schools - Closed 10/24
o 8th Street Community Day School
o Highland Community Day School
o Tri-City Community Day School
o Youth Justice Center
DONATIONS:
Monetary or large vendor donations: Contact the American Red Cross,
Inland Empire Chapter. (909) 888-1481 or online:
www.arcinlandempire.org
Donation of items from individuals and vendors:
County Donations Center
Open Daily 7a.m. to 7p.m.
Call: (909) 386-9797
The County Donations Center is able to accept and/or route donations from
individuals and vendors.
SHELTER VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are needed at shelter sites. To volunteer to assist shelter operations please contact:
Arrowhead United Way
(909) 884-9441
I hope this information will be of assistance.
This, too, shall pass.
Just as in times past, we SHALL overcome.
San Bernardino is a strong community, full of many beautiful and caring souls, together, we will rise from these ashes, as we always do.
Your Friend & Neighbor,
Susana Atanasova
Posted by: Susana Atanasova | October 25, 2007 1:40 AM