{"id":37164,"date":"2025-01-14T10:58:56","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T15:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/?p=37164"},"modified":"2025-01-14T10:58:56","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T15:58:56","slug":"nalc-statement-on-the-los-angeles-wildfires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/2025\/01\/14\/nalc-statement-on-the-los-angeles-wildfires\/","title":{"rendered":"NALC statement on the Los Angeles wildfires"},"content":{"rendered":"

NALC President Brian L. Renfroe has released the following statement regarding the Los Angeles wildfires<\/strong><\/em>:<\/p>\n

1\/14\/25 – NALC continues to stand with our members affected by the wildfires in the Los Angeles area. These fires have devastated communities. Homes have been destroyed.\u00a0 A number of our members have been displaced from evacuation zones. While the situation remains critical, together we will persevere.<\/p>\n

Letter carriers are more than just deliverers of mail. We are an essential part of our communities. In times of crisis, we step up for the people we serve and for each other. Many of our members have adjusted rapidly to ensure the safe delivery of mail and service to our communities. These members exemplify the standard of service we proudly provide.<\/p>\n

The NALC Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is here to assist members who have been affected. If you have experienced property damage due to wildfires, we encourage you to immediately apply for aid through the DRF. The fund provides grants rapidly when assistance is needed most. The application and more information can be found at\u00a0nalc.org\/disaster<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For those able to contribute, I ask you to consider donating to the DRF during this crisis. Every dollar donated goes directly to helping letter carriers in need\u2014there are no administrative costs deducted. Your generosity ensures that our fellow members can begin rebuilding their lives as quickly as possible. Donations can be made by mail or online, and since the DRF is a 501(c)(3) organization, contributions may be tax-deductible.<\/p>\n

As the fires continue to affect so many, NALC is here to support you. Whether you need help or want to assist others during this difficult time, we are stronger together. Stay safe and keep taking care of one another.<\/p>\n

Wildfire emergency resources<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Compiled by\u00a0<\/em>SAG-AFTRA<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Resources & information<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Mutual Aid LA Network\u00a0<\/a>and its list of 150+ wildfire resources.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 211 LA Wildfire Information.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 City of Los Angeles Fire Department.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 LA County Emergency Incident Response real-time updates.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Watch Duty App.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 SoCalEdison\u2019s Power Outage Map.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 LA Department of Water & Power Outage Maps & Alerts.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 South Coast AQMD Air Quality Monitors and Forecasts.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 LA Unified School District Updates.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

Safety & preparedness<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Listos California.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 CalFire\u2019s Evacuation Safety Guide.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 CalFire\u2019s \u2018Go Bag\u2019 Emergency Supply Checklist.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 CA Fire Foundation Preparedness Guides.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 American Red Cross Safety Guide.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 CDC Wildfire Smoke Safety Guidelines.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 LA Times: How to protect yourself from the smoke caused by L.A. wildfires.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

Financial assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 CA Disaster Help Center\u2019s list of state government social services available to victims of natural disasters.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 CA Fire Foundation offers $250 gift cards to households that experienced more than 25% damage to their home\/apartment. Contact the LA Fire Department by calling 213-978-3800 to receive a gift card, and click here for more information.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now accepting applications for individual assistance from impacted Los Angeles County residents,\u00a0apply here<\/a>\u00a0or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362).<\/p>\n

Shelters & temporary housing<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 American Red Cross\u2019s list of open shelters and evacuation centers (zoom in on the map to LA County).\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Trinity Lutheran Church Bad Weather Shelter.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Airbnb and LA 2-1-1 are offering free temporary housing.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Hotels offering discounted rates: Read\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Showers and phone-charging stations: All Planet Fitness facilities in Los Angeles County are open for anyone affected by the fires to use their facilities to rest, charge their phones, and\/or shower.<\/p>\n

Transportation<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Metro is still operating despite the fire and wind conditions. Fares are temporarily suspended, so residents can ride buses and trains for free.\u00a0Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Uber: Residents in Los Angeles County who\u2019ve been ordered to vacate their homes can get a credit from Uber to get to an evacuation site. The $40 will only be valid for trips to an active shelter and by using the code WILDFIRE25.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Lyft: Lyft announced it will be offering $25 vouchers, valid for two trips, to 2,000 customers from now until midnight on Jan. 15. Use the code CAFIRERELIEF25 to get the promotion.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Latest updates on freeway closures CALTrans District 7.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Latest updates on road closures.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

Child care<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 YMCA is offering free child care at 12 locations across the county for students TK-8th grade.\u00a0Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Bumo is providing up to three days of child care camps or nannies to those affected by the fires.\u00a0Apply here<\/a><\/p>\n

Food assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Hollywood Food Coalition.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 LA Regional Food Bank.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Food Share of Ventura County.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Local Food Pantries.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Restaurants Offering Free Meals to Evacuees and First Responders. See\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 See Labor Community Services information above (under financial assistance).<\/p>\n

\u2022 LAUSD has Grab & Go meal services at 16 schools, and can provide two meals per student. See more information\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 World Central Kitchen operates four food distribution sites.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

Mental health<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 SAMHSA Disaster Distress Crisis Counseling: call or text 800-985-5990, and\u00a0learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 National Alliance on Mental Illness.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 LA County Department of Mental Health.\u00a0View here<\/a><\/p>\n

Animal assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Animal Evacuation Centers:<\/p>\n