After The Fire Program
The City of Sunrise Fire Rescue Department’s After The Fire Program is an immediate resource available to assist families who have been displaced from their homes due to fires and other emergencies.  The program is supported by the Sunrise City Commission and provides some immediate relief to residents to help them in a time of crisis. The After The Fire Program is Developed by the City of Sunrise Fire Rescue Department.

What To Expect
A fire in your home can cause serious damage.  Your home and many of the things in your home may be badly damaged by flames, heat, smoke and water.

You will find things not damaged by the fire may still be ruined by smoke and may be soggy with water used to put out the fire.  Anything you want to save or reuse will need to be carefully cleaned.

To fight the fire, firefighters may have broken windows and cut holes in the roof.  This slows the fire’s growth and gets rid of dark smoke that makes it hard for firefighters to see.  They may have cut holes in your walls to make sure that the fire is completely out and not hidden in the walls.

It is important to understand the risk to your safety and health even after the fire is out.  The soot and dirty water left behind may contain things that could make you sick.  Be very careful if you go into your home and if you touch any fire-damaged items.

Checklist For Next Steps After A  Fire:

• Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross.  They will help you find food, clothing, medicine and a temporary place to stay.
  
  
• If you have insurance, contact your insurance company.
  
  
• Ask what you should do to keep your home safe until it is repaired.
  
  
• Ask who you should talk to about cleaning up your home.
  
  
• If you are not insured, try contacting community groups for aid and assistance.
  
  
• Check with the Sunrise Fire Department to make sure that your home is safe to enter.  Be very careful when you go inside.  Floors and walls may not be as safe as they look.
  
  
• Contact your landlord or mortgage company to report the fire.
  
  
• Try to find valuable documents and records.
  
  
• If you leave your home, call Sunrise Police Department to let them know the site will be vacant.
  
  
• Begin saving receipts for any money that you spend related to the fire loss.  The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and to prove any losses claimed on your income tax.
  
  
• Check with an accountant or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about special benefits for people recovering from fire loss.

What Do I Do Now?

• Contact your insurance agent
  Contact your insurance company right away and ask them what to do first.  There are companies that specialize in cleaning and restoring your personal items.  Ask your insurance company for recommendations of companies you can trust.  Make sure you know if you or your insurance company will pay for the cleaning.  When you contact the company, be sure to ask for a cost estimate in writing.
  
  
• If you do not have insurance, your family and community might help you get back on your feet.  Organizations that might help include:
  
  
• American Red Cross
• Salvation Army
• Religious organizations
• Public agencies, such as the Broward County Human Services Department
• Community groups
• Nonprofit crisis-counseling centers
  
  
• Take care of yourself and family
  Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army.  They will help you find food, clothing, medicine and a place to stay.  You have a big job ahead of you.  Get plenty of rest and ask for help.  Do not try to do it all alone.
  
  
• Help your pets
  If you have pets, find and comfort them.  Scared animals often react by biting or scratching.  Handle them carefully.  Try to leave pets with a family member, friend or veterinarian if you are visiting or cleaning your damaged home.  Keeping your pets out of the house until the cleanup is complete will keep them safe.
  
  
• Security and safety
  Do not enter your damaged home or apartment unless the Sunrise Fire Department says it is safe.  Sunrise Fire Rescue will make sure the utility services (water, electricity and gas) are safe to use.  If they are not safe, firefighters will have your utilities turned off or disconnected before they leave.  Do not try to turn them back on by yourself. Contact Sunrise Police Department to let them know you will be away from your home.  In some cases, you may need to board up windows and doors so no one can get in.
  
  
• Finances
  Get in touch with your landlord or mortgage lender. Contact your credit card company to report credit cards that were lost in the fire. Save all of your receipts for any money you spend.  The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company, and you will need them to prove losses claimed on your tax return.

The First Days Of Recovery

• The value of your home and personal belongings. Talk with your insurance company about how to learn the value of your home and property.
  
  
• Replacing valuable documents and records. You may want to replace many of the documents if they were destroyed or lost in the fire:
  
  
• Driver’s license
• Auto registration
• Titles and deeds
• Insurance policies
• Passports
• Birth, death and marriage certificates
• Social security or Medicare cards
• Stocks and bonds
• Wills
• Medical records
• Income tax records

The After The Fire Program is Developed by the City of Sunrise Fire Rescue Department.