Wild Fire Re-Cap and the Robbery
By Ray Shay
5.20.14
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| Wild Fires Strike San Diego County |
I knew things were going south last Tuesday morning when my cell phone started ringing with multiple reports of a growing brush fire in the canyon area near Del Norte High School.
My hat is off to Gretchen and our team who sent a Community Hub eAlert within ten minutes of us hearing about the fires. Many of our readers emailed us thanking us for getting the work out so quickly. I hope it was helpful.
The fires immediately brought back memories of other devastating wild fires in San Diego where I was the one in the blue uniform telling families their homes were no longer standing. As strange and heartbreaking as that experience was, many of the victims appeared honestly relieved to at least know the truth. I think the waiting and not knowing, is a big part of the trauma that so many people in our area and other parts of San Diego County endured last week.
Soon after the fire trucks started rolling into our area, I walked towards our 4S Ranch Community Hub in 4S Commons when I saw the uniformed SDPD Police Officers standing outside the Wells Fargo Bank. The bright yellow crime scene police tape was hanging loosely, blocking the bank entrance.
I recalling thinking the bank was likely robbed because the criminals knew our local Sheriff Deputies were busy evacuating frightened families. My suspicions were soon confirmed. Once again reminding me that predators are cowards and when they see a weakness they frequently look for opportunities to attack.
As my mind drifted to the wild fires and how brave both law enforcement and firefighters always are, my mood began to sour. I was distracted thinking about the multiple fires and that an armed felon and his companions were out taking advantage of the situation.
With the fire spreading unpredictably and the bank robbery, Theresa and I both wanted one thing, which was likely the same thing many of you did. We wanted to have our kids with us. We wanted to be "hands on."
I was going to delay picking up our three sons from their separate schools, but Theresa had other ideas. I have learned when it's not worth arguing.
When we arrived at all three of our local schools, Del Norte High, Oak Valley Middle and Del Sur Elementary, we were met with throngs of people picking up their kids.Tensions were high as fire engines raced past and dark smoke was in the air.
I have been at countless emergency situations, but I found myself impressed with the calmness of the leadership teams at each of the schools. Yeah some kids as well as some parents were on the edge, but the occasional smile and calm reassurance form a teacher, principal or other school employee was comforting and went a long way to calming nerves.
Word quickly spread that Stone Ranch Elementary had ordered an evacuation of their students which resulted in parents moving quickly to pick up their children from the other local schools.
The caravans of yellow school buses mixed with emergency vehicles reminded me that there was a great deal of training and pre-planning involved in our critical incident.
In each instance there were lots of parents and anxious children, but the calmness and professionalism of school administrators was impressive. We personally witnessed each of the below principals actively involved in working with their staff to pull off a pretty challenging event.
At the end of the day, with Troy, Raymond and Ryan safely in our car, I thought about the firefighters and the law enforcement officers. I then thought about another group of heroes that rarely get accolades and the support they deserve from the community.
They are our teachers and the principles of our local schools who day and day out deal with highly emotional and stressful situations for little pay or recognition.
It's not the cover of Time Magazine, but for the few thousand people who read this eWeekly, it is a reminder that each of our principles including Lisa Danzer of Stone Ranch Elementary and David Gyertson of Maranatha High School are pretty special people.
Enjoy your week,
Copyright Shay Realtors 2014 All Rights Reserved.
Next Thursday morning, Karl Strauss will be serving ice-cold beer at
their beer garden at the conclusion of our Fourth Annual Thanksgiving
morning 10K, 5K, and Kid's Fun Run in 4S Ranch, 
A few of the many things I learned from being a cop for so long was how to read people's body language, facial expressions and how to use all three rearview mirrors in a police car to keep tabs on my surroundings. 
to his right and lean forward as he began speaking to an unseen passenger in the front seat. Curious, I discreetly adjusted my side mirror. I could hear a slight "wrrr" from the motor of the mirror as it turned to solve the mystery of the driver's angst.
government agencies to do the heavy lifting when it comes to their children. By that time, it is often too late. Their beautiful children who were abandoned early on in their lives will frequently lose their way, and the parents will not see their dreams of them being successful adults come to fruition. 
