A Fully Equipped Fire Restoration Service in Stockton

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

Whether wildfires or residential, fire damage is always a threat to our area. Look no further than SERVPRO for total restoration.

SERVPRO Offers Stockton Homeowners Easier Access to Advanced Fire Restoration Resources 

The city of Stockton is conveniently located at the delta region's waterways confluence and the San Joaquin River. The City's establishment is associated with the California Gold Rush in the mid-1800s. It was named after Robert F. Stockton, a US navy commodore who played a vital role in the Mexican-American war, making it the first community in California to have a non-Spanish or Native American name. Like other California locations, the threat of wildfires is a significant concern for property owners in Stockton since they cause widespread damages or even raze properties to the ground.

Various incidents over the years have caused significant damages to properties displacing people and piling up repair costs. For instance, in June 2008, a fire fueled by high winds whipped up wildfires in various locations of Northern California, including Stockton. In the city, the fire hopscotched through dense neighborhoods destroying a wide range of properties, including: 

• 9 single-family homes
• 20 condominiums
• A triplex 

Fire officials at the time described it as the most devastating incident in the city's history.

Area fires mostly develop because of the climatic conditions since the region receives most of its moisture over limited periods in winter and fall. The vegetation then dries up slowly over summer because of the warmer temperatures and lack of rainfall. Dry vegetation readily fuels fires when ignited. 

The All-American City 

When such challenges arise, inclusive civic engagement by community members is one of the ways that help boost the recovery process. You do not have to search for evidence of such collaboration since Stockton has won the All-American City Award several times, including the years 1999, 2004, 2015, 2017, and 2018. So far, it is the only city in California to win the award more than two times. The back to back winnings in 2017 and 2018 helped cement its position. The National Civic League gives the award to cities, regions, counties, towns, neighborhoods, and tribes with strong connections among residents and better civic engagement in solving critical issues. 

The award was inaugurated in 1949. Over the years, it has been given to over 500 communities throughout the United States who satisfied the National Civic League's criteria. Stockton bagged the 2018 award after showing that efforts to build a culture of engagement resulted in community programs and systems that healed years of trauma for communities and individuals, especially by empowering historically marginalized students. 

History from a Visual Point of View 

Stockton is the 62nd largest city in the United States and the 13th largest in California. It has played various roles in history, especially in transportation, since it serves as a gateway to the Central Valley and other regions. During the California Gold Rush, it was a river port and the hub of roads to gold settlements situated in the San Joaquin valley. Therefore, it was the main supply point for miners. The 20th century provided another opportunity for the City to play another historical role in transportation when Benjamin Holt and his three brothers, who founded the Stockton Wheel Co, developed the first functional track-laying vehicle. The development was spurred by creating a machine that could conveniently plow the soggy farmlands in the San Joaquin Delta. Today Caterpillar is a global brand renowned for the development of heavy machinery. The name caterpillar was chosen by chance when photographer Charles Clements noted that the first workable track-laying tractor "crawled like a caterpillar," and Holt chose the name. 

Over the years, Stockton has earned many nicknames, including "Fat City," "Webberville," "California's Sunrise Seaport," and "Mudville." A unique way to follow the City's historical journey and surrounding areas is through the artworks made by various artists, especially during the 19th century. A visit to the Haggin Museum on North Pershing Avenue is a perfect opportunity to explore works by some renowned painters from the era. Look for painters such as Rosa Bonheur, Albert Bierstadt, and J.C. Leyendecker, among many other American and European artists who explored various issues through art. Some of the notable displays include: 

• Paintings of people doing multiple activities at a gold mine
• Photos of the Fung Lee herb store, which prepared and prescribed different Chinese remedies to the Chinese community in Stockton
• The original Caterpillar tractor is displayed at the museum
• The Old Betsy fire engine which is a reminder of the legacy of service and distinction from firefighters, including the earliest volunteer brigades 

Apart from the Haggin, other facilities such as the San Joaquin County Historical Society & Museum, Manteca Historical Society & Museum, Stockton Field Aviation Museum, and Great Valley Museum of Natural History also provide information about the origins and development of the city. 

How Does SERVPRO Assist When Fire Damages Stockton Properties? 

The effects fire has on various materials can be classified as instant or delayed. With access to the correct fire restoration resources provided by SERVPRO, Stockton property owners can stop the delayed effects or reverse some of the issues that develop instantly. Problems such as the soiling of surfaces and materials from soot or other deposits happen immediately. However, staining from such deposits can take some time. 

Various cleaning resources are necessary to fast track the removal process or break down soils. In some cases, unique resources are essential to help protect underlying materials from further damages. SERVPRO combines resources such as sophisticated equipment, specialized methods, and specially formulated products, including: 

• The use of mildly abrasive cleaning equipment such as soda blasters to remove stubborn residues from unfinished wood surfaces
• The use of specialized cleaning techniques such as Peroxide Active Cleaning to restore delicate materials such as acoustic ceiling tiles
• The use of rapidly bio-degradable, phosphate-free cleaning products with zero VOC's 

SERVPRO of Stockton emphasizes the importance of preventative damage control methods during fire restoration in Stockton properties to improve the outcome. Call us at (209) 477-3090 whenever there is an incident at your property.