After the Fire Part I
 

FIRE

  

A guide to assist citizens that have had a fire in their home or buildings

Part I

Post-fire Action Tips

Whether you own or rent your home, the first thing to do is to protect yourself from additional losses.

If your home is unlivable after the fire, it is important to:

  1. Remove all valuables and salvageable items to protect them from further damage
  2. Check with utility companies to make sure all utilities are shut off
  3. If you are insured, immediately contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting your property, conducting inventory and contacting fire damage restoration companies. If you are not insured, try contacting private organizations for aid and assistance.
  4. Board up any broken windows and all doors (If you own the residence, you could be held liable for any injuries resulting from broken glass or unsafe conditions on your property) If you are renting, the landlord may take care of this for you.
  5. If you are not insured or only partially insured, you may be able to deduct certain loses from your Federal Income Tax. Call the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040 for more information. If you need forms, the address for the IRS in the El Paso area is 700 East San Antonio St., El Paso, TX 79901
  6. Notify the Post Office of your temporary or permanent address change. If you plan to move, but do not know the new address, the Post Office can hold your mail for you or have it forwarded to a relative or neighbor

If you have moved you should:
  1. Change your Driver's license and Voter's Registration
  2. Stop deliveries of paper, milk, etc.
  3. Notify the Post Office, children's school, credit card companies, bank, phone company, utilities, doctors, dentists, etc. giving them your new address. Remember to update your address for subscriptions.

Replacing Valuable Documents

Birth and Death Certificates: Obtain birth and death certificate application forms and instructions through your El Paso County Clerks Office, 500 E. San Antonio, 79901. Phone 546-2071

Drivers License: In El Paso, call 855-2132 to locate the nearest Department of Public Safety Office or go by on of the following offices:
  • 7300 Gateway Blvd East - Phone 598-3487
  • 4505 Hondo Pass Ave. - Phone 751-6455
  • 11612 Scott Simpson Dr. - Phone 855-2132
  • 1035 Belvidere St. - Phone 581-7089
Social Security and Medicare Cards: Call the Social Security Administration Office for information at 1-800-772-1213, or go by one of the local offices:
  • 1414 Geronimo - Phone 540-7493
  • 700 E. San Antonio - Phone 540-7493
Marriage Certificates: Contact the El Paso County Clerks Office, 500 E. San Antonio, 79901 Phone 546-2071

Deed: Deeds to your home can be replaced by the El Paso County Clerks Office, 500 E. San Antonio, 79901

Discharge Papers: Contact any Veterans Affairs office or call toll free for information 1-800-827-1000

Citizenship Papers: Call or contact the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1545 Hawkins, 79925 Phone 540-1806

Checking and Savings Accounts: Contact your bank or credit union to report any loss. It may be wise to close out old accounts and switch funds to new accounts.

Credit Cards: Contact the company or department store IMMEDIATELY! It may be a good idea to close out the old account, transferring the balance to a new account number

Currency: Contact your local back or Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch, 301 E. Main St. 79901 Phone 544-4730

Savings Bonds: Obtain form PD1048 from your bank, fill it out, obtain all required signatures and mail to the US Treasury, Bureau of Public Department, Savings Bond Operations, Box 1328, Parkersburg, WV, 26106-1328. For more information call the Kansas City Federal Reserve at 1-800-333-2919

Voter Registration: Contact the County Election Department, 500 E. San Antonio, Rm #402, 79901. Phone 546-2154

Passports: Contact either the main US Post Office, 8401 Boeing Dr. 79925 Phone 780-7568 or one of the following locations:
  • 7383 Remcon Circle - phone 584-3362
  • 3100 Yarbrough - phone 598-2295
  • 4116 Dyer - phone 565-6589

After the fire - Tips

After the fire Part II - Care for household Items

After the fire Part III - Utilities Restoration

After the Fire - Part IV - A Word About Fire Department Operations

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