Fire Response

When nature and courageous firefighters halted the spread of the most destructive fires in the history of California, USA, 22 people were dead and more than 3,500 homes and businesses were reduced to ashes. Inflicting a loss estimated at more than US$1 billion, the inferno that raged uncontrollably from 25 October through 4 November also affected at least seven Rotary families whose homes were damaged.

Governor Mike Stelman of District 5340, which includes the areas devastated by the wildfires, asked Rotarians to offer whatever assistance they could to those families and others affected.

"We'd had fires in the area before, but it wasn't anything we had to evacuate for," says David Froman, an attorney and member of the Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle. He and wife, Elizabeth, made it to safety on the morning of 26 October, but theirs was among the more than 40 houses consumed by the fires in a single neighborhood.

Quite appropriately, the club's Family of Rotary Committee led an effort to assist the Fromans and other victims of the fire. "He's a quiet guy," says Linda Stouffer, chair of the committee. "He gave a very emotional statement. It touched us."

"They were giving and caring," Froman says. "How can you express your thanks for such love and compassion?"

Similar stories of Rotarian compassion characterized the response of clubs in California to the disaster with even Rotarians who were directly affected offering to help.

Teaming up with insurance company GEICO, the Rotary Club of Poway established the Poway Fire Relief Fund to provide immediate relief for local wildfire victims. On 19 November, club and company officials presented a $10,000 check to the relief fund, bringing total donations to about $80,000.

"More than 50 of our local families have lost everything in this devastating fire," says Poway Mayor Mickey Cafagna. "The City of Poway wanted to help start a victims' relief fund, and the Rotary Club of Poway offered to manage and administer it. In so many ways, our community of businesses, citizens, and service organizations have answered the call to help those in need, and we are sincerely thankful."

"Our goal has been to provide immediate personal financial relief to victims of the firestorm in Poway," says Poway Rotary Club President Mark Wozmak. "Incredible community support from GEICO and others has allowed us to put money in people's hands within days of the incident. We continue to meet with and provide support for the families, as their needs are identified."

Clubs that are helping to raise funds and in-kind relief items for disaster victims also include the Rotary clubs of Lake Arrowhead Mountain Sunrise, Redlands, San Diego, and Temecula.