CURRENT NEWS . . .

BLOOD DRIVE AT OFD! On Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 from 8am-1pm, there will be a Blood Drive at the fire house at 1475 W. American Ave. The American Red Cross is sponsoring this event with OFD as the blood supply is the lowest it's ever been at this time of year in 6 years! To schedule an appointment or for more information, call (800) 733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org Give something that means something!

ORACLE BRUSH DUMP NEWS – One of the ways of managing our Oracle Brush Dump is to burn more frequently so burns are smaller, more manageable and accumulation of brush will be reduced. The brush dump was closed during Thanksgiving week. Thank you for your patience.
The Brush Dump is now OPEN! Hours are from 8am-4:45pm.

We have a new WEATHER STATION! Once again, purchased with the generous donations from YOU! You can see the results above at the top of our home page. If you click on ORACLE WEATHER STATION above the white box, you’ll see even more details. I know many of us missed being able to look up accurate weather information on our website, but it’s back – thanks to the generous residents of Oracle!

JUST IN . . . Oct. 2021 ORACLE FIREWISE PROPERTY AWARDS –
You may be aware that Oracle Firewise & Certs present firewise awards to property owners in Oracle each year to those that have reduced vegetation along with trimming, weed-eating, and reduced ladder fuels, and have defensible space around their home or business. Let us know if you have a candidate for next year. Here are the latest recipients . . .
Commercial Property: Oracle Ford. (Note their action during the possible evacuation of Oracle last year while making parking and facilities available for people involved.)
Private Property:
• David Shoaf / Estevan Montano on American Ave.
• Bill & Kathleen Jones on La Mariposa.
Congratulations to all and a big thank you for keeping us safer!
A big thank you, as always, for the FW/Cert crew that install these signs each year (Kevin, David, Michael).

NATIONAL NITE OUT IN ORACLE – On October 5, 2021, Oracle celebrated National Nite Out at OCC (Oracle Community Center).
National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement and other community services while bringing back a true sense of community with positive circumstances.
Oracle Fire District was present along with our Firewise and Cert crew to get acquiainted with residents and children with plenty of games and free food (OCC).

ORACLE HYDRANTS – You may have noticed that fire hydrants around Oracle are more neat and noticeable. That's because our Cert and Firewise team were busy on Sat., Oct. 2, 2021 weeding and cleaning up the high grass and brush around them. They do this every year. A big thanks to Dale and his crew for 2021 in keeping our town firewise and helping firefighters find these hydrants easier. A big thanks to hydrant honcho Dale and his crew, Barb, John, Kevin Jim, and Jim M., Ward, Cherie, and Holt.

ORACLE BRUSH DUMP – The Brush Dump is finally open since Sept. 21, (new hours 8am-4:45pm). We truly appreciate your patience throughout the closure. Please remember that in order to not have this excessive brush problem in the future, we are limiting the use of the brush dump to brush FROM ORACLE ONLY! Over the last few years, the amount of brush being dumped has increased dramatically. We’ve even seen brush coming up from as far as Tucson and Marana, which has overwhelmed our little community resources. Please see our most recent policies and procedures below.

OFD BRUSH DUMP– NEW Policies and Procedures (9-13-21)
POLICIES:
• Use of the brush dump is limited to vegetation removed from properties within the Oracle Fire District.
• As always, only tree & shrub trimmings, grass cuttings, and leaves are accepted. Tree trunks over 10” in diameter, tree stumps, cactus, agaves, or yuccas are NOT accepted as they do not burn completely. NO trash, lumber or construction materials, pallets, etc. please.
• Hours of operation are 7 days a week, 8am-4:45pm (last key check out at 4:45pm). The key will NOT be given to anyone without proof of residency or a permit. Non-compliance with any policies or procedures may result in permission to use the brush dump being revoked.
PROCEDURES:
• Proof of residency (driver license, utility bill, or property tax document) that shows that you own property within the Oracle Fire District or are renting is required to complete a resident form and to obtain permits.
• New resident forms will only be issued by OFD administrative staff, front office of the fire station, Mon.-Thurs, 8am-4pm, and Friday mornings 8am-noon. If you cannot make it to OFD during these hours, email either Tina at tacosta@oraclefire.org or
Cherie at ccheney@oraclefire.org or call 520-896-2980 during admin. hours for alternative methods.
• Once an Oracle resident form is completed, the resident will be issued a Resident Card with their name and number which can be shown at the front office for the brush dump key.
• For an Oracle resident using a contractor to haul their brush, a sheet of five “permits” with your name and Resident ID# will be issued. The resident will be required to complete each permit with their name and phone number. When needed, the resident will fill in the contractor’s name and phone number on the permit and give one permit to them. More permits may be issued on a case-by-case basis.
• The resident will show their card, or the contractor will give the permit to the person at the front window of the OFD station, and will be required to pay the appropriate fee ($5 for one load (back of truck OR trailer), $10 for two loads (back of truck AND trailer), and $20 for a dump truck). EXACT CHANGE IS REQUIRED!

CREW LEAVING FOR CALIFORNIA – OFD just sent Engine 692 out on a wildland assignment in Northern California. We wish them safe travels and send them our gratitude for their service; not only to the community of Oracle, but to our neighbors in need. Additionally, we would like to recognize that the crews remaining to cover Oracle put in almost as many long hours away from their family and friends. Please join us in thanking all of our firefighters for their sacrifice and dedication to service!

(left-right): Engineer John Savage, Firefighter Nick Brening, Captain Tyler McGovern, and Firefighter Jacob Harward.

THANK YOU, ORACLE!
Our brand new Reader Board was installed on Monday, August 15, 2021 and is absolutely perfect! Please drive by to admire this beautiful sight!
From left to right: Firefighter Santiago Barrera, Firefighter Nick Brening and Engineer John Savage.
As many of you know, our old board was over a dozen years old and had finally given up, so we put out a request for donations to replace it, knowing that it is not only an essential communications tool for emergency situations, but it also serves the vital purpose of keeping our residents and visitors informed of events happening in the community. Oracle responded to our appeal for funds in your typically generous fashion. Within two months we had enough money to order the new board. It is much higher quality than the old board and works with modern technology. This gives us the ability to change the messages remotely, which will be key in emergency situations. We are very proud to serve such a giving and caring community as Oracle.
With sincere gratitude, Robert Jennings – Fire Chief

WILDFIRE INFORMATION – There is ONE WEBSITE that has the best information on all major fires in the US. Make this a bookmark for Arizona and any other state you may want to check on. The home page takes you to the most current and largest fires. It has maps, details and updates. For all fires in one state, click at the top right, choose your state and click GO. Click HERE to go to that site or bookmark the link: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Facebook is also another good source for the latest information.

VOUCHERS – Six free vouchers for Waste Management through Supervisor Kevin Cavanaugh can be picked up at the Mammoth office (118 Catalina Ave., Mon-Thur, 9am- 3pm). If you are not able to pick them up, you can email a copy of your utility bill with your physical address and a copy of your photo ID to: bosdistrict1.sharedmailbox@pinal.gov, and they will mail the vouchers to your mailing address. (Make sure to include this in your email). You can also call 520-487-2941.
The 6 free vouchers to Waste Management through Supervisor Kevin Cavanaugh can be picked up at the Mammoth office (118 Catalina Ave., Monday -Thursday, 9am – 3pm). If you are not able to pick them up, you can email a copy of your utility bill with your physical address and a copy of your photo ID to: bosdistrict1.sharedmailbox@pinal.gov, and they will mail the vouchers to your mailing address (make sure to include this in your email). You can also call 520-487-2941.

PINAL COUNTY BURN PERMITS – Pinal County has suspended the issuance of burn permits and all issued permits expired on May 1st. Please be extremely cautious with anything that could cause a spark, such a grills, cigarettes, dragging chains, welding, etc. as it only takes one spark to start a wildfire! 
Click HERE for more information.

OFD IS RECRUITING! – Oracle Fire is now recruiting for Part-Time and Reserve Firefighter/ EMTs. Paid 24-hr shifts. You must be at least 18. Click HERE to see our flyer with more details or you can email us at: pfarrell@oraclefire.org

VOUCHERS . . . a quick note on vouchers:
• To obtain your six 2021 vouchers through email, be sure to attach a copy of a current utiliity bill with your physical address and a copy of your photo ID to: bosdistrict1.sharedmailbox@pinal.gov
Be sure to include your mailing address and they will mail the vouchers to you.
• OR . . . you can visit the Mammoth office to pick up your vouchers at 118 Catalina Ave. (Mon-Th, 9am-3pm). Be sure to bring your photo ID and current bill with you.
The times for the brush dump remain the same as before: Everyday, 7am–5pm. We are trying to get coverage at the OFD office on Friday and weekends to help but there may not be anyone at the fire station to issue the key if the crew is out on a call. Fees remain the same: $3 for one load, $5 for the back of a truck AND a trailer, $10 for a dump truck.
An alternative to the brush dump, for trash and other materials, is the Waste Management (WM) transfer station in Oracle. You can also call the office to obtain more information, either at Florence: 520-866-7830 or in Mammoth at 520-487-2941. Another piece of good news is that any vouchers from 2020 will be accepted at WM through January 31st, 2021.

GETTING ALERTS – If you have not yet turned in our ENS form to be added to the OFD emergency notification system, please fill out the form, complete and either email back to OFD (Tina), fax, or bring in. Don’t forget to sign up for the Pinal County Emergency Notification System as well.

THE ORACLE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (ENS) –
You can't afford not to be on this list for emergency notifications. Click to go to the "ENS" form and be sure to get any additional numbers (besides your landline) in the system by filling it out and returning it to Oracle Fire District. Just drop it by the fire station.
HOME ALONE ENS SYSTEM – If you are in need of an earlier warning to evacuate due to your health or to relocate animals and livestock, you can be in a special group that gets ENS warnings ahead of the general public. Here's a LIST of evacuation information that may help you.

INTERESTED IN EVACUATION PREPARATION OR WILDFIRE STATUS? Here are some links and documents that will help you find the information you need:
• Ready, Set, Go - Information on One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire.
• How to Have a Firewise Home (606kB)
• Living with Wildfire (3.5MB)
• FEMA Evacuation Checklist (123kB)
• One Less Spark (Poster) (2MB)
• Newsletter - SUMMER
• EQUINE & LIVESTOCK EVAC PREP - Link to Video on youtube – Wildfire preparedness tips from a firefighter, veterinarian and ranch owner called "Saving the Ranch."

MORE INFORMATION – Would you like more useful info on wildfire? Click HERE for News & Information, Fire Weather, Maps, WIldland Fire Data in Google Earth, Arizona Fire Ecology, WIldland Fire, Firewise Resources, Smoke and Air Quality, Info for Before, During and After a Wildfire, How to Help and Fire Prevention & Education topics. There are several excellent artlces relative under each topic you can click to at the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention website.

What is a Red Flag Warning? – According to the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning is issued when a "combination of low humidity, strong winds, dry ground cover, and warm temperatures are expected to bring critical fire weather conditions to the warned area." When we have these conditions, you may see our red flag flying in front of the fire station. Please be vigilant and cautious especially on these days.