CITY DEPARTMENT HAS BOOKLET TO AID THOSE WHO'VE HAD FIRES

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department has published a book it hopes will never become a best-seller.

The 18-page booklet, "After The Fire," provides information on what property owners or tenants should do after a fire in a residential or commercial structure.

After a serious fire occurs, the fire department officer in charge at the fire scene will give a copy of the booklet to the owner or tenant of the building.

"As firefighters, our primary job is to protect lives and property of the citizens of Cape Girardeau," said Fire Chief Gene Hindman.

"In our job we regularly see the devastation fire can leave behind. The trauma of experiencing a fire, no matter how large or small, can only be surpassed by the confusion of what to do when the fire is out and the firefighters have gone. It can be a nightmare filled with uncertainties that must be dealt with immediately."

During his many years on the fire department, Hindman noted, "I have seen people confused after they have suffered a fire loss. They're not quite sure what to do next. Hopefully, this booklet will assist them in getting their lives back in order."

Hindman said he got the idea for the booklet several years ago after reading about a similar publication in a firefighting magazine.

"I thought it was good idea at the time. A little later, I talked with an insurance adjuster from St. Louis who had a booklet with him that was similar to what I had read about in the magazine," the chief said. "I was able to obtain a couple of copies of the booklet and we started working to adopt one of our own for Cape Girardeau."

Hindman said the booklet contains a list of precautions to take after a fire, such as inspection of household wiring, what to do with food, beverages, and medications that have been exposed to smoke. It also lists sources of assistance such as the American Red Cross or Salvation Army for temporary housing and other needs.

It has a checklist of items to take along if the homeowner or tenant cannot stay in the structure after a fire.

Another section of the booklet explains the property owner's responsibilities and duties to the insurance company after a fire loss.

Hindman said the booklet tells how to replace important documents that have been destroyed or damaged in a fire, and gives information on how to replace currency or coins damaged by fire or water.

The fire chief said it is important to store vital documents where they can be retrieved immediately in case of fire, or keep the documents in a secure heat and fire resistant container. "We recommend a safety deposit box for the most important documents," he said.

The booklet contains hints on how to clean clothing, walls and ceilings, wood furniture, wood and vinyl floors, carpets and rugs, mattresses, small appliances, cooking utensils, and refrigerators and freezers.

It also has suggestions on how to care for food that has thawed in the freezer.

At the back of the booklet are telephone numbers most often needed after a fire. On the back page is space for the fire incident number, the date of the fire, the name of the officer in charge, and the fire investigator at the scene. Hindman said all of this information is usually needed at some time by the property owner or tenant.

The fire chief said Firefighter Russ Henry and the fire department secretary, Carol Carter, did much of the work in preparing the booklet.

"They put a lot of hours into it," said Hindman. "Henry did most of the research of the telephone numbers, and Carol prepared the draft copy of the booklet."

Hindman said 500 copies of the booklet have been printed.

"I wouldn't care if we didn't give away a single copy," said Hindman. "But the booklet is like fire insurance ... it's there when the need arises."

Hindman said as far as he can determine, the Cape Girardeau Fire Department is the first department of its size to provide this type of service.

Additional information about "After the Fire" can be obtained by calling the fire department office, 334-3211.