Help On The Way-
Local Agencies Pitching in to Help in Los Angeles Fires Aftermath
Within days of the news about the intensity of the Los Angeles wildfires, departments from all over the state have been sending crews to help. Photo: City of Merced Fire Department Facebook page.
When a catastrophic event such as the Los Angeles fires occurs, it’s not uncommon for agencies to send help to the scene. We expect it when it happens in our communities, so it makes sense that it would happen when tragedy strikes another part of the state.
Within days of the worst of the blazes, firefighters from Merced were sent to southern California. Merced Fire Department sent a crew of three to assist in Los Angeles.
According to the Facebook page of the City of Merced Fire Department, “Assignments included mop up, structure protection, perimeter control. They were paired up with other Bakersfield and Kern County Fire engines.”
California Highway Patrol in the Merced region has not yet been called in to assist, but communications Officer Eric Zuniga says they are ready if needed.
“Other officers closer to LA are part of the effort,” Officer Zuniga says. “We will go if needed.”
A pick-up truck hauling this trailer from Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS) has been working to help the community of Planada, but MDS is also lending its efforts to the LA wildfire recovery. Photo: Steve Newvine
In Merced, a truck and medium-sized trailer from Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS) was parked in front of Lowes early in the week of January 13.
MDS Executive Director Kevin King says that particular vehicle was connected to the ongoing effort in Planada to help that community recover from the 2023 floods. Kevin says the organization is heading to Los Angeles to assess how they can help.
“In Pasadena, three of our congregate families have lost their homes, and their church has been damaged,” Kevin says. “So initially, it will be a time for a hug and a handshake as we determine how the organization can assist.”
MDS takes a four-pillar approach to determining whether to respond to a disaster.
The four pillars are:
Do we have volunteers?
Do we have the necessary accommodations to feed and house them while they are on-site?
Is the work meaningful
Is there sufficient funding for materials?
“It’s our entry strategy and our exit strategy,” Kevin says.
This shot from Alex Ruiz’s Facebook page shows what relief teams are facing as they help the people of Los Angeles in the aftermath of the wildfires. Photo: Alex Ruiz Facebook page.
For the firefighters from Merced and other parts of the state, their stay in Los Angeles will end relatively soon as the need for fire support diminishes.
For non-profit relief organizations such as Mennonite Disaster Services, the departure dates are a longer way out on the horizon.
Their work has just started. As was the case with MDS in Planada, the organization came in shortly after the disaster threat was gone, and they are still on the scene helping out two years later.
Leaving Los Angeles for these organizations will likely be well beyond that time frame.
Steve Newvine lives in Merced.
His California books are available for purchase at the Merced County Courthouse Museum.
His latest book, Jack & Johnny: Benny, Carson and a Friendship Made for Television, is available there as well or it can be ordered at Jack & Johnny (lulu.com)
He will discuss the new book on the podcast Talking About Radio with John Leslie. That podcast drops the weekend of January 18-19 2025