Montecito Fire launches Go-Bag Program

MONTECITO, Calif. (KEYT) The rain is a reminder to have go-bags in case of evacuations.

The Montecito Fire Protection District just launched a go-bag giveaway program.

"We are really proud to launch this pilot program it is our Evacuation Go-Bags and this bag is just the first step for our community members to get ready for emergencies in our community," said Montecito Fire Public Information Officer Christina Atchison.

Atchison said they research a number of back pack style go-bags and chose red ones from https://emergencykits.com

It is basically a starter kit that recipients can customize for kids and pets in their families.

"It comes prepacked with some very bsic emergency supplies things like N95 masks, rain pancho saety goggle gloves some basic things to get you through the first initial period after an evacuation but this bag is incomplete people need to take it home and customize it with what they would need to survived the initial period after an evucuation, " said Atchison.

They also contain a basic first aid kit, a glow stick, duct tape, nylon rope, emergency whistle, emergency survival blanket, 2400 calories emergency food bar, pocket tissue pack, waste bags, and cleansing towelettes.

People can make their own backpack, too and even us plastic bins.

Atchison said there are lists online of what to put in a go-bags.

She recommends having one at home and in the car.

A resident came to get one after hearing about it, but the department wants people to fill out a form online first and then schedule a pick-up.

They hope this will be a conversation starter to inspire people to make go-bag or update old ones.

To sign up visit https://Montecitofire.com