Firewise Five “Ps” of Evacuation

When planning what to take during an evacuation, start with the five “Ps”. Many of these items can be pre-packed in a Go bag, ready to be grabbed if you receive an evacuation notice. At a minimum, keep this list in a handy place so you can refer to it in an emergency.

People and Pets and supplies. Make sure you have adequate supplies for your pets, including carriers, leashes, food and water and any pet medication. Think about food and water for people, too, including one gallon of water per person per day and food that doesn’t require cooking or refrigeration.

Prescriptions with dosages, over-the-counter medicines, medical equipment, glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids, batteries and power cords, face coverings, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Pack copies of prescriptions, medical insurance cards and contact information for your prescription provider.

Papers including important documents (hard copies and/or electronic copies saved on external hard drives or thumb drives), insurance papers, contact list, household inventory.

Personal Needs including clothing, water, food, cash, IDs, credit cards, first aid kits, phones, laptops and chargers. Items for people with access and/or functional needs, including walkers, canes and other assistive devices, travel toiletries and other essentials.

Priceless items including photos, irreplaceable mementos and other valuables.

SaddleBrooke Now a Firewise Community

LaVerne Kyriss

SaddleBrooke has now officially become a Firewise community with recognition granted by the Firewise USA organization. Our two homeowners associations worked together this year to gather the needed information, host activities to promote Firewise awareness and share information across our community on steps homeowners can take to prevent and reduce damage from wildfires to our homes and common areas.

By taking steps to reduce wildfire risks, we become a more resilient community. But our work isn’t done. Our Firewise teams are continuing their work to help educate homeowners about steps each of us can take to prevent damage from wildfires and working with our common area staffs to support actions they are taking to reduce the risks from wildfires.

We’re also planning a community-wide event for February 2027 and working to get our team members qualified to conduct Firewise assessments of individual properties at homeowners’ requests. Finally, we’re beginning to investigate which insurance companies offer discounts for homes in Firewise communities.

Stay tuned for more Firewise tips!

Ready, Set, Go! Evacuation Preparedness for SaddleBrooke

Ready, Set, Go! is a nationwide program that educates residents about proactive measures to take before an emergency and actions to follow when communities are threatened.

The three steps encourage Arizonans to get READY by preparing for threats to their community, be SET by maintaining awareness of significant danger and to GO, evacuate immediately when the danger is current and life-threatening.

While SaddleBrooke is a safe community, staying aware of hazards is important. Learn how you can prepare your family and home before an emergency. Taking action now can help you evacuate quickly before the threat reaches your doorstep.

Here’s a quick overview of what to do:

READY—Prepare Now

Prepare for the hazards that can threaten your home in SaddleBrooke.

* Register with the Pinal County Emergency System emergency notification system at www.pinal.gov/1335/PENS.

* Connect with PENS/Sheriff’s Office on social media.

* Take steps to prepare for seasonal threats, including wildfire and flooding

* Make a family communication plan including phone numbers, out-of-town contacts and meeting locations.

* Assemble an emergency supplies kit (Go Kit). Start with the five P’s: people and pet supplies, prescriptions, papers, personal needs and priceless items.

* Check with your neighbors, family and friends to ensure they are READY.

* Monitor local news, weather watches and warnings.

* Keep gas in your car.

SET—Be Alert

When the PENS system and local media broadcast a SET alert for SaddleBrooke, they are advising of significant danger in or nearby. You may also receive an email from one or both of our HOAs, if you’ve signed up for emails.

* Consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or outside the affected area.

* Load your emergency supplies kit in the car.

* Pack the unique needs for your family or special equipment and pet supplies.

* Stay aware of information from public safety officials.

* Fill your gas tank.

* Check with close friends and those who might need assistance.

* Check your patio and home exterior for items to move to your garage.

Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Be SET to GO.

GO!—Evacuate

The GO notice advises that danger in our community is current and life-threatening.

* Residents should evacuate immediately to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area.

* You must understand emergency services may not be able to assist you further.

* Follow instructions from emergency personnel, stay on designated evacuation routes and avoid closed areas.

We have limited evacuation routes out of SaddleBrooke:

* SaddleBrooke Boulevard to Oracle Road and then either north or south

* Clubhouse Drive to Edwin Road, west to Oracle Road, then either north or south

* Acacia Hills Drive to Lago del Oro Parkway south to Golder Ranch Road and west to Oracle Road, then either north or south

Follow Patrol and law enforcement directions for evacuation routes. Delaying an evacuation may increase your risks. Being prepared for emergencies is part of being Firewise.

Learn more at ein.az.gov.