Bighorn Fire

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Our UCC Insurance agent copied Conference MInister Bill Lyons on a message to one of our congregations prompted by the Bighorn Fire in Tucson. It’s good information to have regardless of your insurance carrier. So we’re sharing it with you along with some additional resources since we are all living in wildfire country. 

Included is a link to a good evacuation checklist for homeowners that you might want to share with members. Arizona’s Ready, Set, Go Evacuation Plan can be found here. New Mexico offers an evacuation workbook free as a pdf. Check you county website for evacuation plan resources and county-specific radio communications information including where and how to register if you evacuate. 

If you’re not insured with UCCIB the claims link isn’t applicable. You will contact your own insurance carrier. 

Phil Shea, our Disaster Service Coordinator, and the Southwest Conference are here to assist local congregations in any way we can. Our prayers are with the residents and churches impacted by the Bighorn Fire.

Here is the message from our insurance agent:

If the unthinkable should happen we want to give you some resources that may help protect your church from the blazing embers that fly ahead of a wildfire’s flames. 

 

  • Close all windows

  • Move overstuffed furniture away from windows

  • Remove curtains that are made form lace, nylon or light material

  • Fill sinks and the baptismal with water that firemen can use to put out spot fires

  • Leave a light on in each room to aid firefighters

  • Shut off any gas or propane lines

  • Cover attic or basement vents with ½ inch plywood or several layers of aluminum foil

  • Put tennis balls in the downspouts and fill gutters with water

  • Position a ladder against the church’s roof on the side facing away from the approaching fire

  • Move combustible outdoor furniture inside

  • Remove wooden flower boxes from the building and its perimeter

  • Move the church vehicle away to a safe area or store in a garage if unable to move it out of the area.  Make sure all of the vehicles windows are closed and close the garage door.

If the evacuation order is given and you have the time, take the following items with you: 

  • Computer hard drives

  • Church credit cards and cash

  • Insurance policies

  • Mortgage documents and rental agreements

  • Financial statements/account numbers

  • Tax records

  • Items of sentimental value that are kept in the church building

  • Contact information for church members and regular attendees

 Look through this checklist: http://lassenfiresafecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/6-SheriffEvacChecklist.pdf Even though it was written with a homeowner in mind, it has very good information on things you might not think about if the situation intensifies. 

Hopefully you won’t need this next item!  If the unthinkable happens and the church needs to file a claim, you can call us at either number below in my signature block.  After hours, you will have to leave a message but they are monitored so either Marc, myself or possible our business partner, Jim Jensen will return the call as soon as we can.  The more expedient way to file a claim is to go on the Insurance Board website www.insuranceboard.org and select Claims from the ribbon at the top of the page.  You will need to enter the loss type as Property and input Marc Gerardis as your agent.  

Before returning to the church, make sure the authorities have determined it is safe to return to the site and that the building is safe to enter.  If you are given permission to do so, here are some tips: 

  • Do not attempt to turn on the water, electricity or natural gas if any of these utilities aren’t working.  The fire department will usually check to make sure utilities are safe before it leaves the site, and will disconnect them if they are unsafe.

  • Try to locate any important paperwork or items that you were unable to take before the evacuation.

  • Create an inventory of lost or damaged items before you throw them away.  This will help the adjusters know how much property was lost in the fire.

  • Save receipts for all expenses related to your building’s damage.  These expenses may be reimbursable per the terms and conditions of the policy language.

 If your church building is destroyed or severely damaged, contact your local police to let them know the building will be empty.  If windows were broken by the heart, consider boarding them up to deter trespassers and concerned members who want to survey the damage for themselves.

 The last step will be to determine when and where you will meet moving forward and keeping the church members apprised of the plan including your friendly neighborhood Insurance Board agent.