Category Archives: Facebook

Trash Pickup Not Available in Evacuation Areas

Harrison Industries advises that trash pickup is not being allowed in mandatory evacuation areas until further notice. No removal of fire debris can occur from properties without a hazardous material inspection conducted by either the Environmental Protection Agency or the State Department of Toxic Substances Control.

Several areas affected by the Thomas Fire have been under mandatory evacuation.

Not only are trash trucks not permitted in some evacuation areas, no debris  bins can be provided to property owners for the purpose of fire debris removal without the authorization of the Ventura County Environmental Health Division.

On Dec. 8, the Ventura County Public Health Officer declared a Local Health Emergency to limit the public’s exposure to hazardous substances.

This Declaration enables the State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to survey damaged properties and remove household hazardous wastes at no cost to property owners. It also enables property owners to participate in a voluntary Fire Debris Clearance program administered through the State Office of Emergency Services (OES) and CalRecycle.

Property owners who opt out of the Fire Debris Clearance Program must obtain permission from the Ventura County Environmental Health Division before beginning the removal of fire debris to ensure the private debris removal, transport, and disposal is conducted in a manner that does not endanger the community.

County launches rental assistance program for fire victims

The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has approved the use of $500,000 in General Fund to establish a rental assistance program for eligible residents who cannot return to their homes due to the impact of local wildfires.  The program, which expands upon current rental assistance programs for low-income households administered by the County of Ventura Human Services Agency, will began accepting applications Wednesday, December 13th

Eligibility criteria for the program include:  county residency; displacement from housing due to local wildfires; financial ability to maintain housing after receiving assistance; and a household income up to 120% of the median income for the local area, based on household size.  The yearly income limit for a household of one person, for example, is $84,000.  For a household of two, the income limit is $96,000, and for a household of four, the income limit is $119,880.

 “Short term rental assistance will help our lower and middle income neighbors who lost their homes get back on their feet more quickly,” said Steve Bennett, County Supervisor for the First District. “Individuals and families with children need the stability of a home to regain some normalcy in their lives and return to work or school while they make longer term plans.”

The new program may offer eligible fire victims help with:  interim housing, rental payments, replacement of household and personal items, moving and storage costs, rental deposits, utility deposits and payments, and credit counseling, as needed.  Barry Zimmerman, Human Services Agency Director stated, “We have years of experience running similar programs successfully, so we can implement this one quickly and ensure that assistance begins to flow.”

Beginning Wednesday, December 13th, information about applying for this new program may be found in English and Spanish on the Ventura County Recovers website, which provides a comprehensive source of information for all matters relating to fire recovery, and on the Ventura County Human Services Agency’s web site (www.vchsa.org/help).

Ventura County Recovers: www.VenturaCountyRecovers.org

Human Services Agency:  www.vchsa.org/help

Ventura County and City of Ventura open “One-Stop” Local Assistance Center at Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura

On Wednesday, December 13, the County of Ventura and the City of Ventura will open a Local Assistance Center at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura. Located at 3451 Foothill road in Ventura, the center is a one-stop resource for residents affected by the Thomas Fire.

The Local Assistance Center will be open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the next two weeks, and longer if necessary. The hours are subject to change depending on demand. Bilingual staff will be available to provide assistance.

The center will be staffed by representatives from the County of Ventura, the City of Ventura, and nine state agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles. The County is also working on providing additional service centers in the Ojai and Santa Clara Valley areas for social, health care and permitting services. The Local Assistance Center is a short-term facility and will close after the initial recovery period, but the services will remain available at the normal city and county offices.

Residents will be able to use the Local Assistance Center to start their recovery from the fire. There will be information on debris removal, permits, housing, rental assistance, vital records, property assessments, public assistance, crisis intervention and stress management, and even services such as replacing driver’s licenses. Health care resources will be available on site to provide assistance, education, and connections to other health services in the community.

The center is expected to be very busy and, although walk-ins will be welcomed, appointments are strongly encouraged. Residents with appoints will receive priority service. Appointments can be made on the Ventura County Recovers website or by calling 211. Those requiring transportation to the center can call the hotline at (805) 465-6650.

To further aid fire victims, Ventura County Recovers is now offering a registration feature that allows residents to register their contact information to receive information on specific topics. They can also register the address of their damaged or destroyed property so that officials can proactively provide them with information and official notices related to the rebuilding process.

Because there will be numerous updates to the site as new information becomes available, registering on the site will help to ensure that current information gets to the people who need it most.

The registration feature is fully accessible by mobile, tablet and desktop devices.

Cooper wants to share some puppy love with fire victims

Occupational therapist Lauren Taluy and her registered therapy dog Cooper are available to visit places supporting displaced families for Cooper to share some puppy love with those affected by the fires. Cooper is 10 years old and has been with Lauren since he was 8 weeks old, which is when he began his life as a therapy dog. Cooper’s family lives in Ventura and includes Lauren’s husband Timur and her 2 children, 4 year old Ellie and 2 year old Hudson. Please contact Lauren at 805-300-8103 or email [email protected] to arrange for a visit from Cooper.

Ventura Police Department hosting free Active Shooter Response Training Dec. 20

The for business and church leadership on December 20 at Ventura Baptist Church located at 5415 Ralston Street in Ventura. The training will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A new location was selected because the Ventura Police Department training room is currently occupied as an Emergency Operations Center. Ventura Baptist Church can also accommodate a larger group allowing for those waitlisted to attend. Registrations are still being accepted until December 19.

The training is being offered in response to community concerns regarding active shooter incidents in Nevada, Texas and California. FBI statistics show that mass shootings are rare, but the Ventura Police Department is committed to partner with the community in providing safety information. According to the FBI, between 2000 and 2016, there were 216 active shooter incidents throughout the country.

An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active shooter situations are often over within a short time, before police arrive on scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

The training is free. Registration is required by calling 805-339-4317 or emailing [email protected].ca.us.

Ventura Family YMCA increases free services to the community

In the aftermath of local fires, the Ventura Family YMCA will increase child care, membership and facility access to members in the community who need it. The Y offers firefighters and anyone who have lost their homes to the fire free membership until March 31. Those in need have free access to the Y until December 31. The YMCA will also continue to provide two hours of free child care for families in need, so parents can run errands outside of the Y.

 Until schools open, the Y will continue to offer full-time (7am – 6pm) child care services at Elmhurst Elementary. The services are free for families who have lost their home. For all others impacted in the community, the Y will offer child care for $30 per day. All other child care sites will remain closed.

 If interested in this care, families should contact [email protected] in order to guarantee a spot, to receive all of the registration paperwork needed, and to RSVP so the Y can secure staff as needed.

 In addition to these services, Red Cross staff and volunteers may shower at the Y. The staff will also stock locker rooms with toiletries until December 31. “We want the community to know that we are praying for everyone who has been affected,” Amy Bailey, Executive Director for the Ventura Family YMCA, said on behalf of everyone at the Ventura Y.

 For any updated information and open hours visit https://www.facebook.com/VenturaFamilyYMCA/ or contact Amy Bailey at 805.642.2131 ext. 24 or [email protected].

Ventura County United Way, American Red Cross and Sheriff’s Office team up to create Thomas Fire Fund

The United Way of Ventura County, American Red Cross of Ventura County, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services have teamed up to create the Thomas Fire Fund. The Thomas Fund, where 100% of your donations will support those in our community affected by the wildfire. To donate: Text “UWVC” to 41444, go to www.vcunitedway.org or call 805 485 6288. Checks may also be sent to United Way’s at 702 County Square Dr. Ste. 100 Ventura, CA 93003

CoLAB FOUNDATION collecting new unwrapped toys

Collecting brand new unwrapped toys and can be dropped off at the following locations:

Camarillo
RE/MAX Gold Coast – 601 Daily Dr., Suite 102
Supervisor Long’s Office – 1203 Flynn Rd., Suite 220

 Oxnard
RE/MAX Gold Coast – 1151 S. Victoria Ave
RE/MAX Gold Coast – 3550 Harbor Blvd.

Ventura
Jensen Design & Survey – 1672 Donlon St.
RE/MAX Gold Coast – 5720 Ralston St., Suite 100

Contact info 805-633-2260 / rachel@colabvc.org

People can also donate online at https://app.donorview.com/4lNq

Foster VC Kids need help with children displaced by the fire

Many families who shelter and help foster youth in our community  and their children have been displaced by the Thomas Fire. They are in great need. Please help by donating to the following organizations:

Child Hope Services : 805-419-6182 or www.childhopeservices.org

James Storehouse: 805‐499‐7161 or jamesstorehouse.org

Raising Hope : 805-491-KIDZ (5439) or www.raisinghope.org

VCFPA: 805-285-3790 or www.vcpfa.org

 http://fostervckids.org/thomas-fire-donations/