News & Useful Information

MERRAG Membership drive is now in progress! Friday, June 27 / 2008 (08:47:26)
Posted by Geri Ventura -
MERRAG is a non-profit organization that operates on funding from your membership. Last year, MERRAG was instrumental in providing daily updates and preparedness information to the community during the ZACA fire. MERRAG provides you and your neighbors information and training to be better prepared for the next earthquake, wildfire, hazmat spill or other calamity. We need YOUR membership, donations and ...
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All Saints-by-the-Sea-Episcopal Church Supports Emergency Response! Monday, September 24 / 2007 (14:26:48)
Posted by Tina Coffin -
All Saints-by-the-Sea-Episcopal Church Supports Emergency Response! All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church, 83 Eucalyptus Lane, has been a member of MERRAG and has maintained an emergency radio for several years. After the Emergency Town Hall Meeting on July 6, members were moved to become better prepared for emergencies. Several parishioners including David Boyd, Tina Coffin, Michael Ditmore and Phil ...
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All Saints-by-the-Sea-Episcopal Church Supports Emergency Response!
Commonly asked Questions Re: Reverse 911 Tuesday, August 21 / 2007 (08:26:36)
Posted by GSVentura -
Commonly asked Questions Re: Reverse 911 Q. When will R911 be used to contact me? A. We may call you with information updates that pertain to your neighborhood. We may call you to invite you to a community meeting. We may call to give you health advisories. We may call you for evacuation warnings or orders. Q. How does R911 ...
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Commonly asked Questions Re: Reverse 911
How to deal with smoke and ash exposure Friday, August 17 / 2007 (22:50:04)
Posted by GSVentura -
Keep your doors, windows and dampers closed. Stay indoors to minimize exposure -- especially if you have respiratory ailments. Here are some other things to consider when dealing with large amounts of ash fall: • Wash ash off children’s toys before children play with them. • Clean ash off house pets. • Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts, and long pants ...
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How to deal with smoke and ash exposure
Why Can't Air Resources Put Out a Large Wildland Fire??? Friday, August 17 / 2007 (22:43:16)
Posted by GSVentura -
We are asked this over and over again. Why can't we just put this fire out with water and retardant drops ? Here a brief (sort of) explanation of how we fight fire and why we can just put it out with water/retardant drops from helicopters and air tankers. When a fire burns in extremely dry brush, it is a ...
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Why Can't Air Resources Put Out a Large Wildland Fire???
Pyrocumulus Clouds - Science 101 Friday, August 17 / 2007 (22:23:17)
Posted by GSVentura -
Distribution: Any area where wildfires occur. Height: 2000 to 30,000 feet. Cause: Convection created by fire. Associated Weather: Can generate showers and storms. Hazard Warning: Clouds may develop into cumulonimbus and trigger further fires through lightning strikes. This variation of cumulus derives its name from the fact that fire (pyro in Latin) creates both the lifting mechanism and the water ...
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Pyrocumulus Clouds -  Science 101
Local Information Radio Thursday, August 09 / 2007 (11:33:57)
Posted by KRF -
The Montecito Fire District and MERRAG are experimenting with a low-power AM radio station. This portable radio station is broadcasting current information to our community at 1370 on your AM radio. Reception is best on car radios. We have not yet achieved blanket coverage of the entire district but most areas within the district can receive the broadcasts. The broadcasts ...
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Rapid Response Saturday, April 14 / 2007 (11:50:28)
Posted by Keith Frick -
Many homes in Montecito are situated behind locked security gates. In the event of an emergency these gates can impose a significant obstacle to responding Montecito Fire District personnel. Whether the emergency is a medical situation or a fire, time is of the essence. Most Montecito gates are equipped with a "Knox Box." Montecito Fire District personnel have keys to ...
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Rapid Response
MERRAG Radio System Performance Upgrade Thursday, April 12 / 2007 (01:42:26)
Posted by Keith Frick -
MERRAG is issuing new batteries for all of their Motorola SP-50 two-way radios. All of the batteries are being renewed at one time because MERRAG is switching to a new more powerful battery chemistry. What's the best battery for two-way radios? Most two-way radios use nickel-cadmium batteries (NiCAD). These batteries are durable and forgiving if abused. The recommended alternative is ...
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MERRAG Radio System Performance Upgrade
Fire Extinguisher Training Day Thursday, February 15 / 2007 (07:51:08)
Posted by Keith Frick -
Do you have a fire extinguisher? Have you ever used a fire extinguisher? If not, MERRAG's annual Fire Extinguisher Training Day represents an ideal opportunity to train in a safe and supportive environment. Each year local fire equipment expert Rick Joy supplies an arsenal of questionable, removed from service, fire extinguishers for our practice session. Can I use it, will ...
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Fire Extinguisher Training Day
The Next Generation of Communication Wednesday, February 14 / 2007 (14:43:47)
Posted by C.W. -
Have you ever been in a place where you can’t use your wireless telephone—like skiing at higher altitudes, camping in a remote area, or even shopping at the mall? There are other wireless services that allow you to keep in touch—personal radio services. A personal radio service is a short-range, low power radio transmission using a device or devices that ...
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The Next Generation of Communication