It seems incredible that for a second time in four years, we could be facing a firestorm that would effectively shut the city of San Diego down and result in evacuations of over one-third of our employee base and over 300,000 residents. Fateful Santa Ana winds brought the orange glow of flames and choking ash that covered the streets, forcing the closure of schools and businesses, and creating that pit-in-your stomach feeling of "…here we go again." The fire of 2003 had been described as the firestorm of the century; four years later, this one was even fiercer.

North Island Credit Union had learned lessons from 2003. Business continuity plans were tighter and communications to the whole team quicker. Several senior team members, including CEO Mike Maslak and CFO Kim Reedy, were in the initial mandatory evacuation areas. Luckily, plans were tight and roles had backups until those evacuated could make it to work.

By the second day, flames from the Harris fire crossed Mount Miguel and were approaching eastern Chula Vista. The mayor had asked all businesses to close that day to keep employees home. North Island Credit Union's headquarters, for those who haven't been there, is on the eastern end of east Chula Vista. Unable to get into the headquarters, the executive team worked communications and coordination from our Emergency Operations Center in Kearny Mesa (yes, that leased space with all those PCs and facilities that seemed to many a waste and just used for drills was now totally appreciated!).