Please know that your union is here for you during the devastating fires in Southern California. We urge all of our members to follow all evacuation warnings and safety orders from your local authorities. For the most up-to-date information, including shelter locations and other resources, please visit https://lacounty.gov/emergency/.
Local emergency authorities ask us to stay off the roads if at all possible to allow clear passage for emergency vehicles and evacuees. If you are not in an evacuation zone, but are near one, please be prepared with a go-bag and a plan.
Register for LA County alerts here: https://alertlacounty.genasys.com/portal/en/register
Safety Information
Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies and report downed trees and other non-life-threatening hazards to 311 (213-473-3231) or at https://lacity.gov/myla311.
To make sure you and your family are prepared in the event you lose power, LADWP recommends taking the following steps:
- Keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency.
- Keep a fully charged cell phone on hand. During power outages, you may lose phone service and your cordless landline may also lose power.
- Keep a fully charged portable charger handy in case you need to charge any of your electronics while the power is out.
If power does go out:
- Report outages online at http://www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).
- Sign up for outage alerts at http://www.ladwp.com/outages.
- Switch off all lights, except for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.
- Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold.
- Check on vulnerable friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.
- LADWP also reminds customers to use caution around any downed or dangling wires or poles. If you see a downed wire, always assume it is LIVE. Never touch ANY wire that is down or dangling and immediately dial 9-1-1.
Suggested app to monitor fires and evacuation zones: Watch Duty
IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/watch-duty-wildfire-maps/id1574452924
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.watchduty.app&hl=en_US&pli=1
Resources from your Union
If you suffer damages or incur disaster-related expenses, please learn more here about our disaster relief fund.
Please note that our Member Action Center lines are minimally staffed due to the impact of the fires. Please keep an eye on your email in case of further updates and important information.
Additional Resources from the LA County Federation of Labor can be found here.
Resources from LAUSD
For SEIU 2015 members with children in LAUSD:
Meal Distribution: From 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 9, Los Angeles Unified will open eight sites (two per region) to provide meals for students. District families may stop by and walk into any of these locations to receive two meals per student. This will only be available for Los Angeles Unified students.
- North: Mulholland Middle School, Sepulveda Middle School
- East: Hollenbeck Middle School, South Gate High School
- South: Fremont High School, Harry Bridges Span School
- West: Marina Del Rey Middle School, Sonia Sotomayor Arts and Sciences and Magnet
- Mental Health Support Services: Los Angeles Unified students and families in need of mental health support are encouraged to call our Student and Family Wellness Resource Line at 213-241-3840. Support is currently available between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Employees may access Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE) by visiting https://www.lausd.org/domain/1438 or calling the 24/7 support line at 800-882-1341.
- Other Resources: We encourage members of the Los Angeles Unified family who are in need during this difficult time to visit lausd.org to learn about available City, County, and community-based resources and connect with entities who are prepared to assist.
Further updates will be provided on lausd.org and the District’s social media channels.
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.
Emergency Alerts and Additional Resources
We encourage all members to stay informed through the following resources:
Sign up for Emergency Alerts:
- 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 for mitigation, management, and control of 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:
For a list of all school closures and or relocations, please click here. Affected schools are directly communicating with families. For updates, visit lausd.org. A Family Hotline is available at 213-443-1300.
Follow these Social Media Resources for updates:
- LA County Public Safety Partners:
Office of Emergency Management: @ReadyLACounty
LA County Fire: @LACoFDPIO - City of LA Public Safety Partners:
LA City Emergency Management Department: @ReadyLA
Los Angeles Fire Department: @LAFD