09/16/2009 GAAS:532:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Opening of Local Assistance Centers for Victims of Station Fire
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
today announced the establishment of two Local Assistance Centers (LACs) in
Acton and Sylmar to help victims of the Station fire in Los Angeles County. The
Acton center will be open on Thursday, September 17 only. The Sylmar center will
also open on Thursday, September 17 but will remain open until further notice.
Both centers will provide information on state and local services to assist
those who have been impacted by this event.
"My thoughts are with the people of Los Angeles County as
they begin to rebuild and recover from the devastating Station fire," said
Governor Schwarzenegger. "These assistance centers will provide individuals
with the valuable information and important resources needed to help get their
lives back to normal as soon as possible."
Acton Location: 3748 Nickels Avenue
Acton Hours: September 17 only. Hours of operation will
be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sylmar Location: Veterans
Memorial Park, 13000 Sayre Street
Sylmar Hours: September
17 and will remain open until further notice. Hours of operation are from 9
a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The
center will be closed on Sundays.
The
California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) is supporting the operation of
the Local Assistance Centers in coordination with the Los Angeles County
Operational Area and the U.S. Small Business Administration through Cal EMA's
Individual Assistance Section.
Cal
EMA, the Employment Development Department, the Contractors State License
Board, the Department of Insurance, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Board
of Equalization, the Franchise Tax Board and other state, local and federal
agencies will be represented at the LACs.
Yesterday,
the Governor announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has declared Los Angeles County a
disaster area as a result of the Station fire, ensuring that low interest
federal loans are available for residents and business owners affected by the
fire, which began on August 26. This action comes as a result of the Governor's
letter requesting the
disaster declaration on September 10.
On
August 28, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of
emergency in Los Angeles County due to wildland fires. On August 31, he issued Executive Order S-16-09,
suspending the one-week waiting period for the filing period for unemployment
insurance applications and waiving fees for the replacement of a vital records
and other documents lost by victims of California wildland fires, including
driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, birth, marriage and death
certificates.
