Community Safety

Subject Date Article
After the Fire Community Resource Booklet May,08,2026
Page 1 – Cover Cover of the Chatham County Fire Department community guide titled “After the Fire.” The cover features the phrases “Putting Lives Back Together” and “This Community Guide Will Help You Through the Next Few Hours, Days, and Weeks After a Fire.” The design emphasizes recovery, resilience, and community support following a residential fire. Page 2 – Table of Contents Table of contents page outlining topics included in the booklet, such as immediate priorities after a fire, fire investigation information, insurance guidance, recovery timelines, utilities and safety, documentation and records, coping with the aftermath, behavioral health support, speaking with the media, feedback information, and recovery checklists. Page 3 – Fire Is Out, What Now? Informational page explaining that residential fires can cause severe damage from flames, smoke, heat, soot, and water, even after the fire is extinguished. The page reassures residents they are not alone and encourages them to consult fire officials, insurance providers, and restoration professionals before beginning cleanup or repairs. Page 4 – Vital and Immediate Priorities Safety guidance outlining the first 24 to 48 hours after a fire. The page advises homeowners to secure the property, avoid re-entering unsafe structures, watch for structural damage and utility hazards, and document removed items with photographs. Tenants are instructed to contact their landlord regarding property protection. Page 5 – Immediate Recovery Checklist Checklist of immediate recovery actions after a fire, including contacting insurance providers, locating temporary housing, documenting damaged property, taking photographs, obtaining a fire report, ensuring family and pets are safe, and notifying important contacts and businesses. Page 6 – Fire Investigation Information Educational page explaining the role of a Chatham County Fire Investigator. The page describes how investigators determine a fire’s origin and cause through scene examination, interviews, photographs, and evidence collection. It also explains the four fire classifications: accidental, incendiary, natural, and undetermined. Page 7 – Additional Agencies and Property Access Page describing additional agencies that may assist during fire investigations, including law enforcement, insurance investigators, utility companies, and private investigators. The page explains property access procedures and advises residents not to move or discard items that may be important to the investigation. Contact information for Chatham County Fire headquarters is included. Page 8 – Choosing a Restoration Company Consumer guidance page advising residents how to select a restoration or mitigation company after a fire. The page explains the difference between mitigation and restoration services and encourages residents to verify licenses and insurance, obtain estimates, and avoid high-pressure contractors or “fire chasers.” Page 9 – Understanding the Insurance Process Overview of the insurance claims process following a fire. The page explains steps such as reporting losses, working with an adjuster, documenting damages, and understanding policy coverage. Residents are encouraged to keep receipts and ask about temporary housing assistance. Page 10 – Recovery Timeline Recovery timeline describing what residents may expect during the first week and first month after a fire. Guidance includes meeting with insurance adjusters, documenting losses, beginning repairs, replacing important documents, addressing emotional needs, and gradually returning home. Page 11 – Utilities and Safety Hazards Safety page warning residents about hazards in fire-damaged homes. The page advises residents not to reconnect utilities, relight gas appliances, or use damaged systems and appliances. It also highlights risks such as electrical shock, structural instability, debris, and smoke contamination. Page 12 – Quick Reference Crucial Information Quick reference page with spaces for residents to record important information about the fire, including the date, time, location, responding fire department, and fire incident report number. The page also provides Chatham County Fire Department administrative office contact information. Page 13 – Fire Marshal Contact Information Reference page providing spaces to record the Fire Marshal and investigator contact information. The page also directs residents to the Chatham County Fire Department website and includes a QR code for requesting a fire report. Page 14 – Documentation and Records Checklist of important documents and records that may need to be replaced after a fire. Examples include identification cards, insurance policies, financial records, medical records, passports, deeds, tax records, school records, and pet vaccination information. Page 15 – Impacts from the Fire Page describing practical considerations after a fire, including safeguarding valuables, notifying law enforcement of vacant property, keeping receipts, forwarding mail, updating employers and schools, and coordinating with insurance and restoration professionals. Page 16 – Coping with the Aftermath Behavioral health information page explaining that emotional reactions following a fire are normal. Common stress responses listed include anxiety, anger, trouble sleeping, confusion, irritability, low energy, and difficulty concentrating. The page encourages residents to give themselves time to heal emotionally. Page 17 – Helping Children Cope Guidance for parents helping children recover emotionally after a fire. The page encourages maintaining routines, reassuring children, informing schools, practicing fire safety together, and supporting children experiencing fear or anxiety. Contact information for the Southeast Georgia American Red Cross is included. Page 18 – Behavioral Health Support Page promoting the Chatham County Fire Department Behavioral Health Unit. The message reassures residents they are not alone and encourages them to seek support for stress, anxiety, emotional fatigue, and recovery challenges. Contact phone number and email information are provided. Page 19 – Speaking with the Media Educational page outlining the rights of fire victims when interacting with the media. The page explains that residents may decline interviews, request privacy, provide written statements, refuse photography, exclude children from interviews, and request corrections for inaccurate reporting. Page 20 – Feedback and Home Safety Checks Closing information page encouraging residents to contact the Chatham County Fire Department with questions or concerns. The page also promotes free home safety checks offered after families return home following recovery. Page 21 – Quick Checklist Comprehensive recovery checklist summarizing important post-fire steps such as contacting insurance providers, securing utilities, documenting damage, notifying mortgage companies, saving receipts, locating important records, and contacting disaster relief organizations. Page 22 – Notes Page Blank notes page with Chatham County Fire Department contact information, including phone number and community outreach email address. Page 23 – Notes Page Blank notes page with Chatham County Fire Department contact information, including phone number and community outreach email address. Page 24 – Notes Page Blank notes page with Chatham County Fire Department contact information, including phone number and community outreach email address.
  • After the Fire Community Resource Booklet
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