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After the Fire! Returning to Normal (PDF, 140 Kb, 16 Pages)This 16-page booklet provides information on recovering from a fire, including what to do during the first 24 hours, insurance considerations, valuing your property, replacement of valuable documents, salvage hints, fire department operations, and more.
After the Fire! Returning to Normal (Spanish) (353 Kb) […]

Common Questions

Why are windows broken or holes cut in the roof?
As a fire burns, it moves upward then outward. Breaking the windows and/or cutting holes in the roof (called ventilation) slows the damaging outward movement, helps remove blinding smoke that obscures the actual fire, and enables firefighters to fight the fire more efficiently. The […]

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Clothing
Cooking Utensils
Electrical Appliances
Food
Rugs and Carpets
Leather and Books
Locks and Hinges
Walls, Floors and Furniture
Wood Furniture
Money Replacement
Tax Information

Professional fire and water damage restoration businesses may be the best source of cleaning and restoring your personal belongings. Companies offering this service can be located in the phone directory.
Clothing
A word of caution before you begin: test garments before […]

Here is a check list of documents you will need to replace if they have been destroyed, and who to contact for information on the replacement process.

ITEM
WHO TO CONTACT

Driver’s license, Auto registration
Department of motor vehicles

Bank books (checking, savings, etc.)
Your bank, as soon as possible

Insurance policies
Your insurance agent

Military discharge papers
Department of Veterans Affairs

Passports
Passport service

Birth, death and […]

You will encounter different viewpoints on the value of your property in adjusting your fire loss or in claiming a casualty loss on your federal income tax. Knowing the following terms will help you understand the process used to determine the value of your fire loss:

Your personal valuation: Your personal loss of goods through fire […]

Your recovery from a fire loss may be based upon your own resources and help from your community.
Private organizations that may be sources of aid or information:

American Red Cross
Salvation Army
religious organizations
department of social services
civic organizations
state or municipal emergency services office
non-profit crisis counseling centers

Give notice of the loss to the insurance company or the insurer’s agent/company.
Ask the insurance company what to do about the immediate needs of the dwelling, such as covering doors, windows, and other exposed areas, and pumping out water.
Ask your insurance agent/company what actions are required of you. Some policyholders may be required to make […]

Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army, to help with your immediate needs, such as:

temporary housing
food
medicine
eyeglasses
clothing
other essential items

Contact your insurance agent/company.
Cautions!!!
Do not enter the damaged site. Fires can rekindle from hidden, smoldering remains.
Normally, the fire department will see that utilities (water, electricity and natural gas) are […]