Friday, October 19, 2012

Wildfire Destroys our Neighborhood: A Survivor’s Story

A wildfire of epic proportions blazed through the Mountain Shadows neighborhood in Colorado Springs June 26, 2012. It was the most destructive fire in Colorado history and the most expensive, costing over 352 million dollars in insurance costs alone. 347 homes were completely destroyed along with 19,000 acres, and two residents died. Over 800 firefighters risked their lives to save the residents, animals and ultimately our neighborhood .This firsthand account from a trained emergency responder covers how to prepare for emergency disasters, common responses to a traumatic event, the impact on the community, lessons learned, and ongoing recovery efforts.

See NEHA 2013 Abstracts for more details