OCFA: Freeway Fire Blog - New

NEWS RELEASE
November 25, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Subject: ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY CREATES BLOG FOR THE FREEWAY COMPLEX FIRE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Irvine, CA – The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) has created a blog as a way to conduct
conversations with the people we serve about the fire that recently caused so much destruction and disruption of people’s lives. The blog is at www.ocfa.org at the bottom of the home page or it can be reached directly at: orangecountyfire.blogspot.com.
“On this blog, we will provide basic facts about the fire and will share any new information that
develops,” said Fire Chief Chip Prather. “More important, though, this is the place for you to ask the questions that are on your mind and have them answered. For example, if you do not understand some aspect of the way we fight fires in general or fought this fire in particular, this is the place to ask about it. If you have concerns about decisions made, tell us, and we’ll do our best to explain.”
OCFA also encourages constructive ideas on how we conduct our firefighting efforts, what
worked and what didn’t work, and how residents can work with us to reduce the chance of a recurrence of a fire like this.
“As firefighters, we are always saddened when people lose their homes,” said Chief Prather. “Only the loss of a life is more heart-breaking for us. And yet we also know that wildfires – like earthquakes – are part of life in Southern California. With the help of our residents, we will always do our best to prevent them. But eventually there comes a day when we must put them out. A significant portion of our budget, training and equipment is geared to that.”
The blog is a first-time effort for OCFA and the goal is to read every question or comment within
a day and to respond in no more than one more day. The initial blog begins by addressing some questions that already have been asked, and we will add to it as your questions come in.
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Contact: Orange County Fire Authority
Captain Greg McKeown/PIO
1 Fire Authority Rd.
Irvine, CA 92602
(714) 573-6201
Battalion Chief Kris Concepcion, 714-573-6028 or krisconcepcion@ocfa.org
The Orange County Fire Authority is a joint powers authority that serves more than 1.3 million residents
in 22 cities and the unincorporated areas of the county