6.3 Focus
Questions were asked regarding the focus at the beginning of the evacuation, during the evacuation, and after the evacuation. The purpose of the questions was to determine how the focus of an incident changes as the incident evolves. Predominately, the focus at the beginning of the evacuation was getting the citizens out of the valley and out of harm’s way and making sure the public was safe. There was also fear of the loss of one evacuation route.
During the evacuation, the focus varied depending on the position of the interviewee. Responses varied from:- Additional law enforcement once people were evacuated from the valley to provide security for property – Big Bear City Fire Department
- Getting people out of the valley while at the same time bringing resources into the valley using the same two routes – Big Bear City Fire Department
- Having an orderly process for parents to be reunified with their children – Big Bear Middle School
- Making sure there were shelters for the evacuees – Big Bear City Fire Department
- Orderly procession of people out of the valley – Big Bear City Fire Department
- Providing information on traffic conditions – California Department of Transportation.
- Getting staff to evacuate themselves – Big Bear Middle School
- Fighting the fire – Big Bear City Fire Department
- Making sure the roadways were safe – California Department of Transportation.
- Providing security for the abandoned homes. Some homes were found in disarray and there was concern about break-ins until they realized the residents left quickly – Big Bear City Fire Department.
February 6, 2006
Publication #FHWA-HOP-08-014
