Nicole Wilson, public affairs specialist for FEMA, discussed financial assistance options for property owners in the wake of the Eaton Fire.  (Screenshot by Joanie Harmon/L.A. Sentinel)

A community meeting was held on Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, with L.A. County and city officials providing updates to the Eaton Fire that devastated 14,117 acres in the Altadena area, killing 17 people.

Topics covered included measures to reenter properties, including safeguards for handling debris and smoke-filled items and removing hazardous items such as electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries; restoration of utility services; the reopening of schools; and financial assistance such as grants from FEMA and loans from the Small Business Administration.

Chief Anthony Marrone, L.A. County Fire Department, offered condolences for those who lost family members and friends and expressed sorrow for those who lost homes and businesses, despite the efforts of firefighters from across L.A. County, Pasadena, and the Los Angeles Fire Department.

“L.A. County firefighters save lives first, and protect structures second,” said Marrone. “We’ve lost 17 community members that are not with us anymore. That is 17 too many. Structure protection was our second priority. I have to tell you, as a lifelong firefighter, trying to put out a structure fire with 80 mile-an-hour winds is nearly impossible, and it certainly takes more than one fire engine.”

Related Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk5tBsPWdk4

https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/debris-removal/

https://energized.edison.com/extreme-weather-restoration-update

https://www.pusd.us/fire-relief

https://recovery.lacounty.gov/eaton-fire/

https://fire.airnow.gov/#10/34.0522/-118.2433

https://protect.genasys.com/hazards

Capt. Jabari Williams, Altadena Station, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, commended his deputies for their dedication in providing assistance and evacuating as many residents as possible. (Screenshot by Joanie Harmon/L.A. Sentinel)

Captain Jabari Williams, who leads the Altadena Station for the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, commended his deputies for their unfaltering efforts in rescuing as many residents as possible.

“One thing I’m very proud of… our deputy personnel were coming in to work without me asking them to do so, even though they were off,” said Williams. “As the fire got close to the station, things got very, very scary, but the deputies did what they could to evacuate the areas around the station and I truly believe they saved so many lives by helping those people get out of the area.”

Dr. Muntu Davis, L.A. County public health officer, shared information on safe reentry to properties and safeguards against handling contaminated fire debris and ash. (Screenshot by Joanie Harmon/L.A. Sentinel)

Dr. Muntu Davis, L.A. County Health Officer, underscored the importance of wearing protective clothing, goggles, closed-toe shoes, and a N95 or P100 mask when handling fire debris. He suggested lightly misting ash before sweeping it up and disposing of it in doubled trash bags.

“All fire debris is considered contaminated,” said Dr. Davis. “Ash can have lots of things it in – structures were burned, household hazardous materials were burned, as well as anything in those products or structures. Everything that’s going to get done in terms of debris removal, hazardous material removal is to decrease the risk in terms of … what you’ve been exposed to or what you might be exposed to, if that’s not done.”

Nicole Wilson, public affairs specialist, FEMA, discussed options available to homeowners who need financial assistance, whether their properties were completely destroyed or suffered some damage. She also urged the public to use the agency’s mobile app or visit their recovery centers at Pasadena City College’s Education Center or the UCLA Research Park at 10800 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064.

“FEMA is here on the ground, and we offer grants to help jumpstart your recovery,” she said. “The money you get from FEMA does not have to be repaid. As of this morning, we had put $32 million dollars in grant money in the hands of survivors right here in L.A. County.”

Important Phone Numbers:

Fire Debris Hotline: 844-347-3332

FEMA: 800-621-3362

Universal Waste: 800-631-7016

[email protected]