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El Segundo honors firefighters, police who deployed to Palisades and Eaton fires
Summary
City leaders and public-safety officials on Monday held a welcome-home ceremony for El Segundo fire and police personnel who deployed to the Palisades and Eaton fires, praising mutual-aid response and noting the city council’s emergency declaration that waived certain local rules to assist evacuees.
El Segundo city leaders and public-safety officials held a welcome-home ceremony to recognize firefighters and police officers who deployed to the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, praising interagency mutual aid and noting an emergency declaration by the city council that eased local rules for evacuees.
The ceremony, led by Casey Snow, honored El Segundo personnel who joined strike teams and area law-enforcement coalitions that responded to multiple large wildfires. "We have a culture here that is preparation and service, and in moments like this, it shines," Mayor Chris Pimentel said.
Why it matters: El Segundo personnel were part of a wide regional response that included mutual-aid deployments across Los Angeles County and beyond. City Manager Darryl George told attendees the city council declared an emergency ordinance so the city could waive parking citations, allow short-term rentals and permit recreational vehicles to be used for temporary shelter for people displaced by the fires.
Fire Chief George Avery described the conditions crews faced. "They stood in the face of these flames without sleep for 50 hours," Avery said, adding that crews confronted 20- to 30-foot flames driven by winds as strong as 70 to 100 miles per hour. He and other speakers recounted both the physical intensity of the operations and the emotional toll on responders and affected families.
Capt. Gil Sanchez, speaking for the El Segundo Police Department, thanked city leaders and non-sworn staff who supported the deployments and ensured communications and equipment readiness. "Whenever ESPD is asked to help, the answer is always going to be yes," Sanchez said.
Fire Capt. Brian Partlow and Firefighter Paramedic Matthew Goodenough described the strike-team deployments and operational tasks. Partlow said the El Segundo strike team was among the units sent under the master mutual-aid system and described the work of defending long stretches of coastline and hillside neighborhoods. "We don't ask, we just go," Partlow said, describing how crews moved between assignments and focused on protecting structures and helping residents return safely when possible.
Sergeant Jeremy Glunt summarized law-enforcement activity in support of evacuation and security operations, saying the Palisades response "burned nearly 28,000 acres" and noting that 23 El Segundo officers and supervisors deployed as part of a regional effort that involved about 75 agencies and multiple long shifts. He spoke to both the physical hazards — including hazardous materials exposure — and the mental toll on officers.
Speakers highlighted acts of community generosity during and after the fires, including donations of school supplies distributed to displaced students, and recounted instances in which crews recovered personal items such as an engagement ring from fire debris.
The ceremony closed with thanks to responders and their families; organizers invited attendees to a meet-and-greet and refreshments following the remarks.
