Chamber fields thousands of calls

Since residents of Fallbrook were evacuated on Monday due to the severity of the fire conditions, the three phone lines at the Chamber of Commerce office have been a non-stop trio of blinking lights.

"Roughly, we have been receiving three calls every thirty seconds," said Chamber Executive Director Bob Leonard. Leonard and Chamber volunteers have been answering those lines and attempting to calm peoples' anxieties.

"We have been trying to explain how the emergency workers have been able to do an outstanding job because they haven't had to worry as much about the public," Leonard said. "It is a much safer environment here because of that."

Leonard said residents are anxious to return to their homes and he doesn't blame them, but it is questionable when the first areas will be able to be inhabited again. People also want to know if their home survived the fire, he said.

"We have not received any detailed information pertaining to specific streets or addresses yet," he said. "We get updates constantly from the fire department, but they are still trying to compile that list. As soon as it is available, we will have it."

While the phone lines are constantly ringing, Leonard said he wouldn't have it any other way.

"This is what we do," he said. "We try to help our fellow people in the community." Leonard and others have worked as late as 11 p.m. some nights answering the phones, but the helpful spirit doesn't waiver.

"I'll admit we're overwhelmed but people are appreciative of what we are doing and able to tell them," Leonard said.

Business members of the Chamber have shared with Leonard some of the concerns they are dealing with as well.

"We've got brides and their families all over the country trying to determine if they will be able to have their weddings in Fallbrook this weekend or not," said Don McDougal of the Grand Tradition. "At this point we have one wedding scheduled for Friday evening, two for Saturday and one for Sunday. We don't know what to tell them either."

McDougal said he had spoken with other local business owners that provide wedding party services and they were experiencing a variety of problems as well.