Southern California Wildfires: Resources for Individuals with Disabilities
The recent wildfires present especially significant dangers and challenges for individuals with disabilities. Below are resources and ways to help if you or someone you know has been impacted by the fires.
Emergency Assistance & Support for Individuals with Disabilities
Disability & Disaster Hotline
If you're disabled and have been impacted by the fires, you can reach out for help:
- Call/Text: 800-626-4959
- Email: hotline@disasterstrategies.org
Relief Funds for Disabled Individuals
- United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Emergency grants for people with spinal cord injuries or disease, and/or wheelchair users.
- Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief: Emergency funds for disabled creatives.
- Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: Provides funds to cover accessible hotel stays, replace assistive devices, and more for disabled individuals.
- Email: info@abelsdream.org
- Sensory items (weighted blankets, fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones)
FEMA & Disability Services
FEMA Disability Assistance: FEMA provides funds for accessibility improvements to homes and assistance for required home access modifications due to fire-related disability.
- Call FEMA Helpline:1-800-621-3362
- Claims: DisasterAssistance.gov
- Resources for Disabled Applicants
Disability Rights California (DRC): DRC offers legal assistance for access barriers at shelters, service dog access, medication access, and more.
- Call/Text: 1-800-776-5746
- More Info: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/post/wildfire-resource-guide-how-disability-rights-california-can-help-you
MaskBlocLA (Mutual Aid Group): Distributes free masks to prevent dangerous smoke inhalation.
- Instagram: @MaskBlocLA
- Request Masks & Volunteer
Teledoc: Teledoc offers virtual appointments for non-emergency illnesses and refills for non-narcotic medications.
- Call: 855-225-5032
Disability Disaster Access & Resources: Provides information and resources related to power outages, evacuation orders, and more.
AAC Disaster Relief: Assists individuals who have lost or damaged Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) equipment.
Mental Health Services
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: A 24/7 helpline offering emotional support for disaster-related distress.
- Call/Text: 1-800-985-5990
- Free Therapy Sessions from Southern California Counseling Center (SCCC): SCCC is offering four free therapy sessions for anyone affected by the wildfires.
- Email to Inquire: FrontDesk@SCCCLink.Com
- Healing Together: Support and strategies that will help you navigate the emotional impact of these fires. Hosted by experts and authors on grief and loss: David Kessler, Liz Hernandez, Frank Anderson, and Patty Rodriguez. Watch the recording here: https://www.davidkesslertraining.com/la.
- Grief Yoga: On Saturday, Jan. 25, join a free, one-hour virtual yoga session to release anxiety, fear, and overwhelming emotions.
Disaster Recovery Centers
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened two disaster recovery centers in Los Angeles. The centers are being created to assist those who lost their home or personal property or have emergency needs caused by the wildfire disasters.
- UCLA Research Park West at 10850 West Pico Boulevard
- Pasadena City College Community Education Center at 3035 East Foothill Boulevard
They will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily thereafter.
Emergency Supplies and Support
- FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Salvation Army: Relief for evacuees and first responders, including food and shelter.
- World Central Kitchen: Food relief
Response and Recovery
- The Governor’s office has compiled a list of critical resources here, including what to do after a fire.
- Returning home after a fire: https://readyforwildfire.org/post-wildfire/
Community Resources
- The 211 LA website has updated information about community resources
- The L.A. County Emergency website is set up to organize resources related to the fires
- American Red Cross
- Shelters and donation sites in the city of L.A.
- YMCA Community Services (several services here)
- Care Camp by L.A. Parks and Rec is a resource for kids and teens affected by the Eaton fire
Los Angeles Sandbag Distribution Sites
- Pickup locations for wildfire impacted areas:
- Altadena Golf Course:1456 E Mendocino St. Altadena, CA 91001
- Victory Park: 2575 Paloma St. Pasadena, CA 91107
- Robinson Park:1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Pasadena, CA 91103
- Las Flores Creek Park: 3895 Rambla Pacifico St. Malibu, CA 90265
Temporary Housing
Medical Resources
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Non-emergency, virtual care. Free, 24/7 virtual medical appointments for non-emergency illnesses. Additionally, those who may need help with authorization for non-narcotic drugs can also get assistance. The free services are for first responders, Southern California residents and anyone else who may be affected by the fires. Call 1-855-225-5032.
For Older People and People with Disabilities
How to Replace Lost Records:
LA County is offering free replacement of vital records and property records. Email recorder@rrcc.lacounty.org or call 800-201-8999 and choose Option 1, then Option 2: https://www.lavote.gov/.
Home Loss File System - Digital Resource
- This resource was created by a group of California residents, many of whom lost homes in the 2003 Cedar Fire. It is a Recovery System to help families rebuild their lives in an organized and efficient manner. Their mantra is, “Getting organized helps us feel in control of our lives again.”
- You can save a copy of this Excel file to your own personal computer and customize it as you see fit. You'll find more information and instructions on the first tab.
Fire Updates
- The CAL FIRE website, run by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention
- The Watch Duty app provides live updates on fire conditions. Find it in official app stores.
San Diego Fire Updates
Temporary Evacuation Points are located in the parking lots at:
- Southwestern College, 900 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91910
- Edwards Cinema, 2951 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, 92019
Emergency Notifications
Evacuation Information
- Essential Guide for Wildfire Evacuation Safety | CAL FIRE: This Guide walks you through all the steps involved in preparing to evacuate and then actually evacuating. After reading this, you will be able take informed action if an emergency occurs.
- Evacuation Guide from CAL FIRE (how to prepare, what to do, etc.)
- Text "SHELTER" and your ZIP code to 43362 for a list of shelters near you.
- List of shelters across L.A.
- Airbnb.org Temporary Housing
- Emergency animal shelters in L.A. area
Getting Around/Transportation
- Road closures throughout L.A: https://pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/
- Uber: Evacuees who need a ride to a designated shelter can redeem a free Uber ride (up to $40). Apply the promo code “WILDFIRE25” in the Wallet section of their Uber app before requesting a ride to a designated shelter location.
- Lyft: Evacuees who need a ride to a designated shelter can use the code “CAFIRERELIEF25” for a free Lyft ride (up to $25). Each user can use the code for two rides maximum.
Power Outages
Air Quality Concerns:
Search here for your city for the latest air quality index
How to Help
Here are some organizations that are doing great work to provide resources and connect people with services that will help them recover.
- Baby2Baby: Provides children with diapers, clothing, and basic necessities.
- California Community Foundation: Efforts to rebuild and restore L.A.
- California Fire Foundation: Supporting firefighters and the communities they serve.
- California Volunteers: Ideas and links for volunteering around L.A.
- Canine Rescue Club (Palisades)
- Dream Center: Resource center supporting L.A.
- Los Angeles Fire Dept. Foundation: Equip firefighters with tools and supplies.
- Los Angeles Mission: What items they need and where to drop off.
- Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Providing food for those in need.
- Pasadena Humane Society
- The Red Cross: Support for L.A. wildfires.
- The Salvation Army in Los Angeles
- United Way of Greater L.A.
- World Central Kitchen: Meals for Southern California
- YMCA Los Angeles
Donations to Support Disabled Individuals
- Disability Rights California: Supports disabled Californians with critical services during the crisis.
- AAC Disaster Relief: Supports disabled individuals with accessible information, evacuation assistance, and disaster relief.
- The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies: Works to evacuate and support disabled individuals during disasters.
- Search for Local Mutual Aid Groups: Find additional groups providing support in the LA area.
- GoFundMe Wildfire Fundraisers: All fundraisers related to the California wildfires in one place.
Donation Opportunities
This is a list of organizations supporting local relief efforts.
- California Community Foundation
- California Fire Foundation
- Canine Rescue Club (Palisades)
- Dream Center
- Los Angeles Fire Dept. Foundation
- Los Angeles Regional Foodbank
- Pasadena Humane Society
- YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles: (The following locations offer free childcare) North Valley (Northridge), Ketchum-Downtown, Culver Palms, East Valley North Hollywood, Westchester, Mid Valley, West Valley, Burbank (San Fernando Valley)
Charity Navigator: Los Angeles Wildfires
Charity Navigator evaluates charities for effectiveness and trustworthiness. They have a special section set up to help you identify charities that are helping people affected by the wildfires. If you're thinking of donating to a charity and you're wondering if it's legitimate, look it up on Charity Navigator first.
Have any questions, suggestions, or feedback? We'd love to hear from you!
