Business Manager’s Message – January 2025

Resources Available During Devastating Fires

Brothers & Sisters,

The fires that have hit our communities are devastating. We know of at least one member who has lost their home and some who are still under evacuation. If you have been impacted, please email us at unionhall@ibew40.org.  

We have heard that many of the lots are limiting the number of people coming to work, and we are monitoring the sites that members are still working on. If you are reporting to work and have any concerns about the air quality or safety on the job site, please let us know. Our office is closed to foot traffic today and tomorrow, but you can call and email us should you need anything.

Be sure to stay in contact with your employer about whether or not to report to work and any resources they might be providing.

Also the Motion Picture and Television fund is a great resource for assistance. Phone number is 323-634-3888

We do want to share some aditional resources available to those who need assistance. Labor Community Services (LCS) is ready to support and assist those in need during these historic fires in Southern California.

Below are the available resources:

Housing Assistance:

They can assist with first and last-month rental assistance and help find permanent, long-term housing. Please note: They cannot assist with deposits.

For those needing temporary housing, please visit the American Red Cross website to find a shelter near your area. Staff on-site can assist you if you need permanent, long-term housing.

To qualify for rental, mortgage, or utility assistance, please submit copies of the following:

  • 3-day Notice or Foreclosure Documentation
  • Copy of a Utility Bill
  • Disconnection Notice
  • Proof of Income demonstrating the union member’s ability to make payments moving forward.

If any members need assistance, please complete the LCS Assistance Intake.

Form available at https://lcs-la.org. Submit the completed form along with the required supporting documentation to our Programs Manager, Marcos Juan, at marcos@lcs-la.org.

Marcos will review the submissions and follow up once all information and documents have been processed.

Utilities:

If you have outstanding utility bills (e.g., electricity, gas, or water), they can assist with those bills.

Food:

They can provide members with boxes of food. These boxes are prepared by fellow union members and can feed a family of four.

Air Quality:

The air quality across Southern California will be significantly impacted for an extended period. If you have respiratory concerns, we encourage using high-quality face masks.

Emergency Alerts and Additional Resources

We encourage all members to stay informed through the following resources:

  • Sign up for the City of LA’s emergency alert system, NotifyLA, here.
  • Sign up for Alert LA County emergency alerts here.
  • Additional local emergency alert systems for other municipalities in LA County can be found here.

Federal Resources:

FEMA offers fire management assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to mitigate, manage, and control fires. Visit FEMA’s website or call 1-800-621-FEMA for more information.

LA County Resources:

The Los Angeles County Emergency Incident Response website has been activated. This website provides a mapping tool and lists real-time evacuation, shelter, and other information/resources related to the Palisades, Eaton, Franklin, and Hurst wildfires.

City of LA Resources:

The City of LA offers a comprehensive list of emergency preparedness and response resources. You can view those resources here.

Water and Power Outages:

  • Southern California Edison: Report outages here or call 800-611-1911.
  • Department of Water & Power: Report outages here or call 800-342-5397. Please conserve water during firefighting efforts and boil water for consumption due to potential contamination from ash.

LAUSD Impacts:

Please click here for updates from LAUSD on school closures and/or relocations. Affected schools are directly communicating with families. A Family Hotline is available at 213-443-1300.

Social Media Resources:

Follow these accounts for updates:

  • LA County Public Safety Partners:
  • City of LA Public Safety Partners:
    • LA City Emergency Management Department: @ReadyLA
    • Los Angeles Fire Department: @LAFD

Airbnb Support for Those Affected by Wildfires:

Airbnb, in collaboration with 211 LA, is offering free temporary housing for residents displaced or forced to evacuate due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Important Details:

  • A limited number of credits are available for Airbnb stays.
  • Complete the form below to receive notifications on availability.
  • Evacuation zones will be verified before distributing credits.
  • Spaces are limited, and completing the form does not guarantee a stay.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • You must have been displaced from your physical home due to the recent fires.
  • You must currently reside in an evacuation zone.
  • You must have an active Airbnb account or be able to create one.
  • You must be 18 years of age or older.

Those eligible can apply for this free temporary housing here.

Additional Resources:

We are here to support our union families during this challenging time. Please let us know if you have any questions or need assistance completing the intake forms. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Together, we can help our members rebuild and recover.

In Solidarity,

Stephan Davis
Business Manager
Financial Secretary

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