LOS ANGELES — Survivors of the Palisades and Eaton fires are still in need of assistance. This is the message that Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif., hopes to convey to Congress during the upcoming joint address of President Donald Trump’s second term. Joining him at the event on Tuesday will be union leader Frank Lima, a Los Angeles fire captain who heroically defended the Pacific Palisades fire station when it was surrounded by flames and embers on Jan. 7.
The attendees of the event often bring guests who represent causes important to lawmakers. Senator Padilla stated, “As President Trump outlines his priorities for our country, we want to ensure that Los Angeles County does not get overlooked. The community is facing a long road to recovery, and we require a fully staffed and supported firefighting workforce along with federal assistance without conditions.”
It has been almost two months since the deadly wildfires ravaged the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, the city of Altadena, and surrounding areas, making it potentially the costliest disaster in California’s history. The destruction resulted in at least 29 fatalities and over 16,000 structures being destroyed. Lima described the nearly weeklong ordeal as a “once-in-a-generation, biblical fire.”
Hurricane-force winds wreaked havoc in large parts of Los Angeles County, causing widespread damage. Among the challenges faced that week was the persistent lack of resources, including water and staffing, within the overwhelmed fire department whose numbers have dwindled over the years. Lima emphasized, “We had more firefighters on duty in 1971 than we do today, despite the doubling of our population. The call load has increased fivefold per day, and our members are under immense pressure.”
In the midst of ongoing tensions regarding the fire response, Mayor Karen Bass removed Fire Chief Kristin Crowley last week. The decision was deemed necessary for public safety and the functioning of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Crowley has appealed the decision, as per a statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles.
The blame game has been ongoing since January. When President Trump surveyed the devastation two weeks after the fires, he expressed shock and then criticized California Democratic leaders for not adequately addressing the state’s wildfire threat. Trump cited wildlife protections hindering water access in California and hinted at withholding disaster aid due to disagreements over voter ID laws and water policies.
Lima emphasized that federal aid should be unconditional, stating, “Our firefighters, community, and state need federal support without strings attached.” An economic impact study projected damages from the Palisades and Eaton fires to exceed $53 billion, listing “federal funding uncertainty” as a major obstacle in the recovery process.
Senator Padilla has raised concerns about the Trump administration’s approach to disaster aid distribution. He questioned Doug Burgum, the current interior secretary, during his confirmation hearing on the issue of imposing conditions on aid. Burgum responded, “Each situation is different.”
Senator Pad
The speaker stated that there had never been any conditions or requirements tied to providing disaster relief. “And I sincerely hope that this will not be the initial occurrence of such a situation,” he stated.
