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LEAP combines expertise, action to safeguard animals during fires
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This is an above-normal year for wildfires, which does not bode well for Lake County, with its expanse of rangeland and combustible brush.
But the county can take a certain amount of comfort in knowing that, thanks to Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection, it is prepared for what may lie ahead.
LEAP, as the fully trained all-volunteer organization is known, functions as a safeguard for animals, ranging from house pets to horses in the event of a major fire.
Created by a dozen visionary individuals, it marries the knowledge of firefighters with that of experts in the world of animals.
In the case of Greg and Lynnette Bertelli, that marriage of interest and expertise is a literal one; he a Cal Fire battalion chief, she an equestrian who drove the establishment of LEAP two and a half years ago. Lynnette is Lake County regional manager for the investment firm that owns Spruce Grove and TnT Storage and the finance officer for the Ratel Investments firm.
“LEAP’s main mission is to coordinate people in the evacuation of animals,” explained Greg, who was one of the dozen organizers.
“When we evacuated people in years past we opened up the gate and let the animals run so that they could get away from the fire,” he said. “Over time we developed a fire service organization that we needed in order to be better coordinated and attempt – if fire conditions allow – to not only evacuate people but evacuate their animals.
“Most people’s animals are their family,” he added. “If they’re not their family they are a part of their economic livelihood.”
The expertise available to animal owners through LEAP is impressive. It includes operatives from Animal Care and Control, Lake County Animal Services, stable owners and livestock haulers.
Lynnette Bertelli’s original goal, along with that of two other horse owners – John Gay (since deceased) and Dr. Paul Marchand – was equine rescue.
“I went to the first horse council meeting where I met John and Paul and we all stood up and said we have a need for an equine rescue group,” she recalled. “The horse council said, ‘Yes we do. You three get together and figure it out.’ So the three of us started going to various county meetings.”
As a next step, she, along with a group of animal control volunteers connected with Bill Davidson, director of the county’s Animal Care and Control department, and gained inclusion in that organization.
Greg Bertelli is a major resource for LEAP through an ongoing series of half-day seminars he conducts. From these sessions LEAP’s members learn how to function during a fire, covering such matters as fire-site radio communications and proper attire for crossing a fire line.
“We have been working with animal control, local fire chiefs and people who understand how things have to be coordinated and have a good strong background in communication, fire line safety and proper equipment so that firefighters can go beyond the fire lines in with trained animal control volunteers.” he said. “We want to be coordinated with the whole operation.”
Conversely, firefighters are not always well versed in animal control. “But having someone from animal services support them they can make a halter and lead them out calmly,” said Greg. “At a fire I’ll let Lynnette handle the animals and I’ll support her any way I can.”
LEAP got its first test by fire, so to speak, during the Wye Fire of 2012, in Spring Valley, one of the county’s most difficult spots to combat a fire because of access and egress.
“A horse and trailer jack-knifed at the very beginning of that fire,” Lynnette recalled. “It was a big mess. You have to have the coordination and the expertise in a situation like that so that you don’t create a bottleneck or a block.
“If the wind would have shifted or anything different happened in that scenario it could have been catastrophic. It was an incredible training for us. People were walking their animals down the road with no leash, no halter, no nothing. Livestock were stuck here and horses were stuck there and these people needed to get in and get their dogs. But nobody’s lives were at risk; it was awesome.”
The critical necessity for a program for the safe evacuation of animals and their owners in a fire was pointed up as early as the 1990s.
“A woman back then, like so many people, didn’t want to leave her home,” said Greg. “She waited, waited, waited until a fire engine came by and (firefighters) literally grabbed the dogs she had and grabbed her to put her in the fire engine. But one of the dogs broke free and ran back into the house. To the woman the dog was her family. She ran into the house and a fireman ran into the house after her. The firefighter had severe burns, the woman perished and the animal died as well.”
The safe evacuation of animals can be a slippery slope. Horses tend to run back into burning barns out of fear and confusion, because it is their safe zone.
“If the horse or animal has a familiar area and their barn is on fire, they’re going to want to go where it’s safe,” said Greg. “It’s like a child would feel safest under their bed. Animals react the same way.”
Said Lynnette: “Our biggest goal is to have people understand that they have permission to evacuate with their animals because we don’t have the manpower to evacuate all of them. We recommend having a go-kit for your pet with food and a blanket ready so that you can grab it and go.”
Davidson said LEAP was “invaluable” during the response to the Wye Fire.
Indeed, LEAP has developed a system of coordination at fire sites.
“We will always have an expert and that expert will be familiar with the fire service,” said Greg. “LEAP will have communication with a commander and the person in charge will have permission from the division for how many people are going in, how many animals they're getting, the address of the fire site and what to do once they’ve got the animals.”
The latter is no small issue.
“People have organic goats and they have to be treated differently than other group of goats,” said Lynnette. “The same for organic cows. If not that cow is no longer organic.”
The Bertellis are delighted by agency as well as community support for LEAP.
“All of the local fire chiefs, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and Cal Fire are coming together in support of this and that’s something that’s critical,” says Greg. “We are constantly improving and making things better.
“This could not be possible without the combined efforts of our volunteers and animal control,” he added. “Bill Davidson has been instrumental in the development of our group.”
Added Lynnette: “Many veterinarians have volunteered because maybe some of the animals are going to have burn scars or are injured. The supporters for LEAP are amazing. Karen Schaver has a nonprofit dog rescue. And she is a full-time teacher. Napa Auto in Lakeport donated $1,000 worth of paint. That’s huge.
“Everybody cares about it and it’s wonderful to see. It’s a small community, but people really do get involved. That’s how we make things work.
“We’ll know we have succeeded in doing our job if when the time of a disaster comes and there are minimal or no animals to evacuate,” she asserted. “It is our ultimate goal to educate the public to the extent that they are prepared and evacuate their own animals with any needed supplies and medications necessary. And, to let the public know that if they evacuate with their animals, there will be care and shelter available to them.”
Davidson said LEAP welcomes new volunteers.
The Wildfire Safety Expo, which takes place Saturday, May 18, at Kelseyville Lumber will provide detailed information from LEAP and Lakeport and Kelseyville fire stations.
Those interested in learning more about the group also can contact Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email John Lindblom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .