AFTER THE FIRE

Recovering After A Fire

REBUILDING LIVES. RESTORING HOPE.

Fires happen without warning and can change your life in an instant. Turning your life upside down.

Most homeowners never experience a fire. But when it does happen, the impact is devastating, and many find themselves completely unprepared. A fire can upend your life in seconds. In the aftermath, you're left to make urgent decisions while coping with shock, loss, and uncertainty. This page is here to help you take the next step.

It is important you contact your insurance company as soon as possible, begin your claim and make sure that you do not incur any expenses that may not be covered.

Fire reports will be provided to the insurance company or other responsible parties upon request. ~See services, records requests.

Please know, you are not alone. While you begin to put your life back together, you may have questions. Feel free to reach out and we will be happy to help you.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF

On behalf of Weber Fire District, we want to express our heartfelt sympathy for what you've gone through. We understand how difficult this time must be, and we want you to know that the District is here to support you however we can as you begin the recovery process. We hope the information found here offers some helpful guidance as you move forward with rebuilding and restoring what was lost.

If there is anything more we can do or any questions we can help answer, please don't hesitate to get in touch with one of our team members. Our thoughts are with you and your loved ones during the challenging time.

Warm regards,

Britt Clark, Fire Chief

Weber Fire District

THE FIRST 24 to 48 HOURS

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS

Seek medical attention immediately, if necessary.

If you are uninsured, contact your local disaster relief service.

If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions

The fire department will see that utilities are either safe to use or disconnected.

*DO NOT RECONNECT UTILITIES YOURSELF*

Contact family and friends.

Secure shelter for you and your family for the next 72 hours.

BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE FOLLOWING

Check with the fire department to determine if your residence is safe to enter.

*DO NOT ENTER THE SITE IF NOT DEEMED SAFE*

DO NOT go near the origin of the fire.

Watch for potential structural damage.

Use caution if allowed to enter to secure valuable documents and items.

DO NOT consume any food, beverages, and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot, and water

Soot is acidic and will start damaging surface areas of floors, fixtures, and appliances.

LEAVING YOUR HOME

In some cases, it may be necessary to board-up openings to discourage trespassers. Begin saving receipts for money spent related to the fire loss.

These are important to show the insurance company and for income tax purposes.

If it is safe to do so, try to locate the following items:

Driver's licenses & Social Security cards.
Birth certificates, passports, wills, & other such documents.
Purses and wallets.
Insurance information.
Eyeglasses, hearing aids, or other medical equipment.
Gather prescriptions or refill information, and important medical history.
Valuables, such as credit cards, bank books, cash, weapons, and high-end jewelry.
Cell phones, laptops, and charging cables.

NOTE: DO NOT throw away damaged goods until after a complete inventory is made. ALL Damages are taken into consideration in developing your insurance claim.

Securing Necessities for Yourself:

Housing

Food

Clothing

Medicine

Eyeglasses

Essential Items

If you are uninsured, you can contact the Salvation Army or your local American Red Cross for immediate needs, including the items listed above.

PEOPLE OR ENTITIES YOU SHOULD NOTIFY

You should provide notification about your relocation and the best contact information to the following:

Your insurance agent/company.
Your mortgage company.
Your utilities companies.
Your family and friends.
Your employer
Your child's school(s).
The post office.
Delivery services.
Your fire/police departments.

THE NEXT STEPS

Report the loss to your insurance company.

IF YOU ARE INSURED

1

2

Ask the insurance company what their next steps are and requirements:

Immediate needs - such as sealing and securing the property.
Extricating water
Clarify coverage and reimbursements for additional living expenses that may occur.

3

Ask the insurance company what is required of you

Inventorying damaged personal property.
Detailed list in relation to quantity.
Description and how much was paid for each item.

*Some contractors and restoration companies can assist with creating this list.

IF YOU ARE NOT INSURED

Recovery of things that were lost in the fire may be based upon resources that you have, as well as help from the community. Many private organizations may be able to help:

American Red Cross

Salvation Army

Religious Organizations

Department of Social Services

Civic Organizations

State or municipal emergency services office

Non-profit crisis counseling centers

PERSONAL ITEMS

Your personal property includes everything in your home or business that is not part of the structure itself. This can be furniture, clothing, electronics, photos, keepsakes, and the everyday items that make a space feel like yours.

In the days following a fire, you will need to create two separate lists to document your personal belongings. This process can feel overwhelming, but taking it step by step will help you stay organized as your move forward with recovery and insurance claims.

1

Non-Salvage Items (Total Loss):

Personal property that is completely destroyed or cannot be restored will need to be documented if you plan to file an insurance claim. Creating a non-salvage list, along with photographs of these items, is an important step before you dispose of anything.

If you are working with a restoration company, they can assist you in creating this list in a format that meets your insurance carrier's requirements.

IMPORTANT:

Keep any receipts for non-salvage items. These can help insurance determine the value of what was lost to ensure you receive appropriate reimbursement.

2

Salvage items (Cleaned or Restorable):

Personal property that can be cleaned, repaired, or restored to its pre-loss condition will also need to be documented if you are filling an insurance claim. Salvageable items require a detailed list so your insurance provider can verify what is being restored and what services may be covered.

If you are not hiring a restoration firm to restore your salvaged items, you can reference the salvage tips below:

Soft Goods - This includes "soft" items, such as pillows, blankets, clothing. They can be washed, dried, or dry cleaned according to care instructions. Fresh air is helpful for oxidizing smoke odor that continues to linger inside pillows and furniture.
Hard Goods - This includes items such as glass, plastic, and other non-porous materials. These can be gently cleaned with hot soapy water, rinsed, and dried.
Electrical Appliances - Do not use electronic devices and appliances that have been exposed to smoke or steam until they have been inspected.
Leather - Wipe leather goods with a damp cloth, followed by a dry cloth. Always dry leather goods away from direct sunlight.
Food - Do not keep canned or bottled foods that have been exposed to heat or smoke residue. Any salvageable cans or bottles can be wiped down with soapy water and dried.