Barger thanks FEMA and CAL OES for wildfire support
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger (R-Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada-Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) yesterday thanked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) after FEMA’s announced that their services will conclude in Altadena.
“As FEMA and Cal OES prepare to wrap up in-person services on October 17th, I want to thank them for standing shoulder to shoulder with our community. Their on-the-ground support has been invaluable,” said Barger.
“I encourage any Eaton Fire survivors who still have questions to visit the Altadena Community Center before FEMA and Cal OES’s in-person services conclude tomorrow—and to remember that help will remain available online and by phone by those agencies and will still remain in-person from County partners.”
Survivors can visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362, or go to ca.gov/LAfires for continued support.
The U.S. Small Business Administration and Los Angeles County departments will continue providing in-person assistance at the Altadena Community Center at 730 E Altadena Dr.
Santa Monica invests in new economic vitality initiative
The Santa Monica City Council this week approved a new Signature Event category to support community activations, streamline fees, and help local organizers keep the city vibrant and connected.
The new policy allows qualifying community events to receive automatic fee waivers and priority support from the city, reducing uncertainty for event producers, ensuring equitable access to city support, and underscoring events’ essential role in the city’s culture, identity, economic vitality and community connectedness.
“Our community events are at the heart of what makes this city vibrant,” said Mayor Lana Negrete. “This new policy makes it easier for organizers to keep doing what they do best – bringing people together and contributing to our local economy. By streamlining the city’s support process, we’re removing red tape and helping these events thrive.”
Signature Event eligibility criteria include:
- Takes place at a city-owned site
- Produced by or benefits a nonprofit organization
- Free and open to the public
- Demonstrated annual presence in Santa Monica for at least three years
- Provides cultural, social, recreational or economic benefit to the community
- Supports local business participation and visibility
As part of the resolution, fourteen annual events that meet the criteria will be designated as a Signature Event. They include:
- Pier 360 – Santa Monica Pier Corporation
- Locals Night – Santa Monica Pier Corporation
- Easter on the Promenade – Downtown Santa Monica
- Pride on the Promenade – Downtown Santa Monica
- Dia de Los Muertos on the Promenade – Downtown Santa Monica
- Open Main Street – Summer Solstice – Main Street Business Improvement Association
- Montana Ave Art Walk – Montana Merchants Association
- Open Main Street – Day of the Dog – Main Street Business Improvement Association
- July 4th Parade – Ocean Park Association
- Festival of Chariots – International Society for Krishna Consciousness
- LA Opera at the Beach – LA Opera
- Ice Grand Opening Day – Downtown Santa Monica
- Westside Unity Classic Car Show – Pico Youth & Family Center
- Veteran’s Day Ceremony – United States Army
The Recreation and Parks Commission will review the list of Signature Events annually. The Commission can add or remove events based on a coordinated review process. This includes a process for appeals should an event petitioner wish to appeal a decision.
For more information, see the staff report or view the council discussion here.
Schiavo funds new emergency responder mobile command unit
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch) will join City officials, fire and law enforcement at Santa Clarita’s State of the City event to unveil the City’s new Mobile Command Unit.
Schiavo secured $1.5 million in state resources to support local emergency response. The money paid for the new emergency operations vehicle, which was designed to enhance coordination and response during disasters.
The Mobile Command Unit will serve as a mobile version of the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), allowing first responders and city staff to manage critical incidents directly from the field. The vehicle features seven workstations, advanced communications technology, and a conference space to support real-time decision-making during wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and other emergencies.
“Keeping our community safe is a top priority, so securing funding for this Mobile Command Unit to better coordinate emergency responses on the ground is something I am incredibly proud to have delivered,” said Schiavo. “This investment means that when disaster strikes, whether it’s a wildfire or a major storm, our first responders and city leaders can respond faster, communicate better, and keep our residents safe.”
Santa Clarita Mayor Bill Miranda said the new emergency command vehicle is a powerful example of the intergovernmental partnerships that exist across the Santa Clarita Valley, which plays a critical role in maintaining a high quality of life for our residents.
Sherman, Blumenfield telephone town hall draws nearly 3,000
U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Valley Village) announced that his telephone town hall this week drew nearly 3,000 residents to discuss the ongoing federal government shutdown, the rising cost of living, immigration enforcement, and the broader challenges facing the nation under the Trump Administration.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield (D-Canoga Park, Reseda, Tarzana, Winnetka, Woodland Hills) joined as a special guest to discuss how federal decisions impact local communities.
“I came to Congress to make our country better — but under the Trump Administration, we’re fighting every day just to keep things from getting worse,” said Sherman. “Even as Washington grinds to a halt, my commitment to keeping constituents informed and ensuring their voices are heard will never waver.”
Speaking “from the dysfunctional heart of a troubled but still great nation,” Sherman opened the call by outlining the stakes of the ongoing government shutdown and its effects on working families, furloughed employees, and small businesses. He urged bipartisan cooperation to reopen the government and prevent millions of Americans’ health insurance premiums from doubling.
Blumenfield highlighted positive developments in the San Fernando Valley, including progress on several major revitalization projects and preparations for the 2028 Olympics.
“Even as we face challenges at every level of government, we’re seeing real progress locally,” said Blumenfield. “And that’s due in no small part to the federal partnership and advocacy Congressman Sherman continues to provide.”
