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Santa Fe Springs honors firefighters, police and volunteers for regional wildfire response; community group thanks city for donations
Summary
The Santa Fe Springs City Council recognized local firefighters, police services staff and volunteer groups for deployments to the Palisades and Eaton wildfires and accepted remarks from LA CADA thanking the city for donated supplies for fire survivors.
Santa Fe Springs City Council on Feb. 4 recognized local firefighters, police services personnel and volunteers who deployed to assist with the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, and heard from a community organization that coordinated donations for people affected by the fires.
At a presentation before the council, Fire Chief Chad Van Miederin described the scale of the incidents, saying the Palisades Fire burned "approximately 23,000 acres and 6,800 homes" and the Eaton fire burned "14,000 acres and about 10,500 homes," and that "about 29 lives were lost." Van Miederin and others credited mutual-aid teams, search-and-rescue deployments and family support for personnel during multi-day operations.
"Against all odds, our guys were out there doing the best they could trying to not only save homes and lives, but also to identify those victims that were lost," Van Miederin said. He introduced individual firefighters and engineers who deployed; several were present and were recognized by the council.
Police Services Director Arlene Salazar noted that police services staff were activated within an hour of the call, handled calls for service and supported long shift rotations, and that department staff assisted with evacuations and access restriction. Salazar also acknowledged donations of pet supplies and other relief items and thanked parks and recreation staff for assembling grab-and-go kits.
Priscilla Rodriguez, community engagement manager with LA CADA, addressed the council separately during presentations. "With your support and the help of dedicated donors and volunteers, we collected essential items, hygiene products, food, blankets, and more, for those impacted by the recent fire," Rodriguez said. "They were acts of hope and compassion. We delivered comfort, dignity, and a reminder that Santa Fe Springs stands strong for its people."
Council members and the mayor repeatedly thanked firefighters, police services officers and their families. Several council members remarked on the community response, including donations and on-site feeding for deployed personnel.
The council did not take formal action on the recognition; the presentations were for honorific acknowledgement and public gratitude.
