San Diego Self Storage Helps Wildfire Victims (Full story)

Employees of San Diego Self Storage watched as wildfires whipped through the region this month. But they did more than watch—they extended a helping hand.

On May 16, three days after the fires started, San Diego Self Storage offered one month of free storage to fire victims, both people and businesses. The company operates 18 facilities in the San Diego area.

J. Terry Aston, managing partner of San Diego Self Storage, said: “During tumultuous times … our goal is to minimize the stress associated with storing items under duress.”

All 18 of the company’s facilities have been offering free storage to fire victims; they also have been giving a 10 percent discount on moving boxes and packing tape.

Carlsbad Self Storage, one of the facilities donating storage space, actually was evacuated May 14 during the fires. The facility escaped damage and reopened the next day.

“We’ll make every effort to accommodate as many evacuees as we can,” Aston said.

In all, the wildfires in the San Diego area scorched about 27,000 acres. Damage to private property totaled nearly $30 million; firefighting costs added up to almost $28 million.

Employees of San Diego Self Storage are trained to advise evacuees on emergency storage needs. Kraig Haviland, a facility manager with San Diego Self Storage, provides these tips that you can share with any of your tenants who are coping with emergencies:

• Create a checklist of everyday items needed during an emergency evacuation and store them in an easy-to-access location.
• Pack emergency boxes of sentimental and irreplaceable items so they’re readily available to grab in a moment’s notice.
• Keep a variety of sturdy boxes on hand, along with packing tape and a marker.

The wildfire response isn’t the only way that San Diego Self Storage assists the community. For instance, the storage operator sponsors an annual Toys for Tots drive, raises money for military families, and provides backpacks and other school supplies to local students.

Eva Stimson, president of EMS Marketing Consulting, advises San Diego Self Storage on its marketing.

“San Diego Self Storage has a long history of supporting community outreach efforts. … The owners are extremely benevolent and believe in giving back. They provide ongoing discounts to senior citizens and members of the armed forces, in addition to their support of community projects,” Stimson said.