Palisades Residents Launch Group To Support Fire Victims

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Pacific Palisades residents Friday formed a group dedicated to the long-term recovery of the community destroyed by January's wildfires.

During a news conference at the Palisades American Legion Post 283, leaders of the Pali (Pacific Palisades) Long Term Recovery Group said they aim to guide recovery efforts and connect fire survivors with resources. The group seeks to serve seniors, special-needs families and homeowners who are under- insured or uninsured.

"The Palisades LTRG comes at a critical moment in our continued recovery," Jim Cragg, who serves as the group's president and board chair, said in a statement. "These major relief organizations have turned to our group to help identify and vet over 10,000 Palisades families in need of money, manpower, materials and information to get their lives back. Palisadians are relying on us."

Their mission is to provide comprehensive recovery services to those impacted by the Palisades Fire, which destroyed thousands of homes and killed 12 people.

According to the group, it was formed by local community leaders and received support from the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

The group aims to build on the success of the American Legion's Palisades Wildfire Community Support Center and the Multi-Agency Resource Center — which assisted more than 1,600 families in five days.

Additionally, the group aims to provide disaster case management and convene major recovery partners at a so-called "donor table" to ensure help arrives where it is needed most.

Leadership of the group is overseen by the Pali LTRG Advisory Board. It consists of community leaders, civic volunteers and subject-matter experts such as members from Pacific Palisades Community Council, the American Legion, Pali Strong and other neighborhood organizations.

More information on the group is available at PaliLTRG.org.

City News Service