Tag: wildfires

MALIBU—On Monday, October 16, Matt Myerhoff, Media Information Officer for the city of Malibu indicated in an email to Canyon News that the state of California passed a law expanding support for Californians whose properties have been damaged or destroyed by wildfires by allowing them three additional years to rebuild before a full reassessment of their property value is initiated. The bill was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 8, covers properties destroyed or damaged from the 2018 Woolsey Fire.

“Malibu is still recovering from the devastating 2018 Woolsey Fire, the worst natural disaster in the City’s history, and AB 1500 will offer substantial help and additional time to help property owners whose homes were damaged or destroyed to get through the rebuilding process,” said Major Steve Uhring. “I am grateful for the hard work and leadership of our State lawmakers and Governor who fought to get this protection for fire survivors.”

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (District 42, Thousand Oaks), whose District includes Malibu, co-authored the Bill with Assemblymember James Gallagher (District 3, Yuba City), and the city of Malibu initiated the legislation.

“Californians who have had their homes significantly damaged or destroyed by wildfires should not be made to suffer more as a result of circumstances outside their control,” said Assemblymember Irwin. “Assembly Bill 1500 provides victims of the Woolsey and Camp fires with the additional time needed to complete reconstruction and retain their base-year property tax values. Today I join with the residents of the cities of Malibu and Paradise in thanking the Governor for signing this legislation into law so the rebuilding of our communities can continue.”

Current law allows California residents whose property was damaged or destroyed by a disaster to apply the base-year value of that property to the home or structure rebuilt on the same site within five years after the disaster, if the rebuilt property is comparable to the damaged or destroyed property. With the extension, specifically for the reconstruction of properties damaged or destroyed in wildfires, it will help homeowners facing difficulty with permitting and construction delays.

Reconstructing a home or business raises additional costs including debris removal, permits, contractors, materials, etc. As a result of COVID-19, owners faced hurdles with the rebuilding process.

For residents of Malibu, the courts were less capable of processing the claims on liability for the Woolsey Fire and to come to a settlement with Southern California Edison, delaying compensation to residents, many of whom relied on that compensation to rebuild.

Malibu homeowners working on Woolsey Fire rebuild projects and need help or information related to the protections that AB 1500 offers can contact the Fire Rebuild Team at 310-456-2489 or email ashah@malibucity.org.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The city is working to help the community prepare for wildfires, earthquakes, and other disasters with its annual Public Safety Expo on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Malibu City Hall.

“Malibu is vulnerable to many kinds of disasters from wildfires to earthquakes and tsunamis, so it’s our responsibility to be prepared, and the best time to get started is right now,” said Mayor Bruce Silverstein. “I urge every resident, employee, student and business owner in Malibu to join us for the Public Safety Expo to learn how to make a plan and gather supplies so our whole community can be ready and resilient.”

The free event is part of Malibu’s ongoing efforts to help the community be more prepared for wildfires, earthquakes, floods, landslides and any other disasters that nature might bring.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department will provide a presentation about new brush clearance regulations, and the California Department of Insurance will give a presentation on wildfire insurance issues from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The presentations will be recorded and will be made available to watch on the city of Malibu website and social media.

-New Brush Clearance Regulations – Ron Durbin from the Los Angeles County Fire Department Forestry Division will be speaking on AB 3074, approved by the governor on September 29, 2020, establishes Zone 0, a 5-foot Ember Resistant Zone that may require removal of all flammable materials within five feet of any structure.

-Wildfire Insurance Issues – Armine Sargsyan, the Community Relations Outreach Analyst from the California Department of Insurance, will be speaking and answering questions on insurance issues that affect homeowners in the Very High Fire Safety Severity Zone, which encompasses all of Malibu.

Public Safety Responder Appreciation Day – The event will be a celebration of “Public Safety Responder Appreciation Day in Malibu.” To honor law enforcement and firefighting personnel, as well as the many public safety volunteers including Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Sheriff’s Volunteers on Patrol and Arson Watch, the community is invited to come and show their appreciation by signing a special thank you book that will be presented to each group.

Earthquake Simulator -Take a ride in an earthquake simulator that recreates a realistic and educational experience of a major earthquake inside a house, highlighting the need to make your home more earthquake safe.

“Jaws of Life” Demonstration – The Fire Department will demonstrate a vehicle extraction rescue using the “Jaws of Life.”

Fire Extinguisher Training – Learn how to use a fire extinguisher.

Free Lunch – Coupons for free lunch will be provided to participants in Expo events from two food trucks offering a variety of tasty hot food, including vegan options, and shaved ice. (There will be a Limited supply. Food will also be available for purchase).

Public Safety Specialty Teams and Vehicles; Volunteer Opportunities; Emergency Preparedness Vendors – The Expo is a great opportunity for kids to learn about emergency preparedness and meet public safety and law enforcement professionals in person. Numerous vendors will have emergency preparedness equipment and supplies for sale and demonstration. Learn about a variety of volunteer opportunities with organizations including Arson Watch and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

-LA County Sheriff’s Department K-9

-LA County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad

-Malibu Search and Rescue

-LA County Fire Department

-LA County Animal Care and Control

-LA County Lifeguards

-Arson Watch

-Insurance providers

The vendors, participating agencies and trainings offered at the Expo will be listed on the website.

By Casey

MALIBU—The city of Malibu is offering the next round of the highly popular Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The series of seven classes will be held Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., April 13 through May 25 in the Multipurpose Room at Malibu City Hall located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road.

“Malibu is paradise, but we are vulnerable to all kinds of disasters, from wildfires to earthquakes and landslides, so it’s up to every one of us to be prepared to help ourselves, our families and our community,” said Mayor Bruce Silverstein. “CERT training is one of the best ways to prepare for wildfires and other disasters, and helps us be more resilient as individuals and as a community.”

According to a news release from the city of Malibu website, “CERT is a highly-acclaimed, nationwide program that empowers community members to help themselves and their neighbors during disasters.”

Volunteers are trained on basic first aid, fire suppression, and search and rescue to be able to provide emergency assistance to their neighbors.

CERT volunteers assist the city of Malibu to prepare and respond to disasters. During the Woolsey Fire, Malibu CERT volunteers contributed over 300 hours of service to the emergency response by distributing food and medical supplies, conducting wellness checks, assisting with evacuations, and administering basic first aid.

In 2017, the Malibu City Council adopted the official CERT Program Guidelines, an important step in formally incorporating the program and the trained CERT volunteers into the City’s Emergency Management System.

Malibu’s CERT Team members must complete Federal Emergency Manager Agency (FEMA) trainings, serve at least 30 volunteer hours per year, attend regular meetings and drills, and become registered as Disaster Service Workers.

For more details about the CERT program, or to sign up, visit www.MalibuCity.org/CERT or call Public Safety Liaison Luis Flores at 310-456-2489, ext. 236, or email publicsafety@malibucity.org.