As a CERT volunteer, I was activated along with other CERT members to set up the evacuation centers at Zuma Beach and then at the Malibu High School Gym where the Red Cross joined us. We were connected to the Command Center and could see all the wonderful firefighters coming from all over the surrounding counties, including the “cute trucks” of Kern County zooming down PCH.
People came by who were evacuated from the various places in Malibu. We were able to give information and direct some to the places where other family members were or where the animals were. But the most gratifying experience was to see (once again) the people of Malibu unite and be there to help each other … neighbors helping to catch horses that were spooked, neighbors knocking on each others doors to alert each other, neighbors riding up and down the streets helping to evacuate the animals, high school students making cookies and bringing them to the evacuation center, and nearby neighbors of Malibu High coming to the evacuation center in the evening with bags of food.
Malibu residents realize that the Santa Monica Mountains are a fragile and vulnerable place that needs protection and awareness-especially from anything that could possibly cause fire, such as smoking or camping.
This experience reminded me of the license plate saying that you sometimes see on local cars, “Malibu a way of life.” Yes, the Malibu people have a way of life…. it’s to help each other during these times of crisis.
Alessandra DeClario