The following letter was addressed to P. Michael Freeman, fire chief, and Lee Baca, sheriff.
My wife, Denise, and I would like to thank you for the excellent job that you, and the men and women of your respective departments, performed to save our community this week from the Malibu fire in the Corral and Latigo Canyon areas.
As Malibu residents and as local employees (for over 31 years as a research scientist at HRL Laboratories in my case and for over 10 years as a preschool teacher in Denise’s case) we have experienced many wonderful moments in this most beautiful area of Los Angeles County, as well as, unfortunately, many trying times (during natural disasters).
During all the major Malibu fires that we lived through since we settled in the area, we have always been thoroughly impressed with the professionalism, efficiency, cooperation, and caring that the Fire and Sheriff Departments have exhibited. And, we are so grateful and thankful as to their dedication and courage that they display as they relentlessly battle the elements, especially in the rough terrains and inaccessible areas of this region. These men and women are truly heroes and role models.
Our community, and, more specifically, our people (and pets!), as well as our homes, schools, places of worship and local businesses, have been saved numerous times by these courageous individuals.
It is so reassuring to see these devoted Firefighters and Deputy Sheriffs in action as they perform their duties, without hesitation, by placing themselves in harm’s way. We are also impressed as to how rapidly they respond to these emergencies and how efficiently their units are coordinated as they arrive from neighboring and distant communities for the common good.
We can’t thank them enough, as we meet and greet them during these trying times, as well as during more pleasant times, when they are seen in the community, always at the ready. My wife, has, throughout her teaching career, invited local firefighters and sheriffs to visit the various preschools for the children to meet and appreciate. It is a win-win situation as these heroes are honored by the teachers and children and, at the same time, have an opportunity to interact in the community.
David M. Pepper
Denise D. Pepper