CERT Graduates

The Montecito Emergency Recovery and Response Group (MERRAG) graduated their first ever community volunteers with CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) certificates on Saturday, November 9. The Montecito Fire Department hosted the intensive 20-hour course.

The CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT graduates are prepared and equipped to help themselves, their family, and their neighborhood during a disaster. “CERT is an essential component of our community’s resiliency efforts. We are grateful that so many community members attended this inaugural course and look forward to hosting several more,” said Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor. CERT volunteers are trained to respond safely, responsibly, and effectively to emergency situations, but they can also support their communities during non-emergency events as well. Sue Ziliotto, MERRAG volunteer, was the CERT class coordinator.

MERRAG will be having their next courses in 2020; visit www.merrag.org for more information.

PHOTO CAPTION:

D) Trish Davis is one of 18 CERT graduates trained to help our community during emergency situations

SCE Settlement

In other news associated with the 1/9 debris flow, Montecito Water District announced last week a settlement with Southern California Edison (SCE) of approximately $8 million to resolve claims resulting from the 2017 Thomas Fire and the 2018 Montecito Debris Flow. The settlement is part of a larger $360 million settlement for a group of 23 public entities that brought suits against SCE, but does not affect the claims against SCE by residents, individuals, or businesses affected by the fires and debris flow. The settlement also does not affect the claims brought against the Water District as a result of the debris flow – claims the District continues to defend.

“The Water District suffered significant infrastructure damages including the loss of water supply and storage capacity at Jameson Lake as a result of the 2017 Thomas Fire and the 2018 Montecito Debris Flow,” said Montecito Water District Board President Floyd Wicks. “Accepting this negotiated settlement will eliminate the prospect of protracted and uncertain litigation, and will help complete repairs of critical infrastructure damaged during the fire and debris flow.” JAMS Mediator Judge Jay Gandhi (Ret.) presided over several days of in-person mediation sessions held in Los Angeles. Participants in the mediation process included 23 public entities with various claims from the 2017 Thomas Fire, the 2018 Montecito Debris Flows, and the 2018 Woolsey Fire. After multiple days of mediation, Judge Gandhi brokered settlements for a combined total of $360 million, covering the fires and debris flow. Edison and all 23 public entities accepted the settlements.

Montecito Water District is represented by General Counsel Cohen & Burge, LLP and by outside counsel, Baron & Budd including attorneys Scott Summy, John Fiske, Torri Sherlin, and Stephen Johnston, who represent 45 public entities in wildfire settlements statewide.