The NATCA Disaster Response Committee Supports Members Affected By Los Angeles-area Wildfires
As the devastating impact of the Los Angeles-area wildfires continues to be felt across Southern California, NATCA’s Disaster Response Committee (DRC) has been working tirelessly to support affected members. The committee is reaching out to members in the hardest-hit areas, including Burbank ATCT (BUR), El Monte ATCT (EMT), Los Angeles ATCT (LAX), Los Angeles Center (ZLA), Santa Monica ATCT (SMO), Van Nuys ATCT (VNY), Engineers Western Pacific (EWP), and Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (EW1).
As of Friday morning, no NATCA-represented facilities are in mandatory evacuation zones or under an evacuation warning. However, more than a few members have been forced to evacuate their homes. We expect that some of them have lost, or will lose, their homes and all of their belongings, but we will not know until those affected are able to return to the area.
While we help them navigate this incredibly sad time, we are offering them immediate assistance including putting them up in hotels and when they are ready for it, our assistance in the insurance process. The path ahead for anyone losing their home is long and arduous.
We know many of our members are also continuing to work long hours in order to aid in aerial firefighting efforts. Although your work is not the most visible, the impacts of it do not go unnoticed.
NATCA would also like to remind members to take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones from the health risks of smoke and low air quality. Please see this guide from the California Air Resources Board for more tips. And, if you are concerned about health and safety at your facility, please contact the OSHA Committee for assistance.
The DRC is also monitoring the ice storm in the Southeast. Typically ice storms bring long periods of power loss, so the DRC has strategically staged generators in Charlotte ATCT (CLT), Atlanta ATCT (ATL), Huntsville ATCT (HSV), and other areas in the storm path in preparation for potential upcoming power outages.
NATCA’s Disaster Relief Fund is a critical resource for our members. Donations are being accepted the following methods:
PayPal your donation to [email protected].
Sign up for automatic payroll deduction.
Mail personal checks, payable to “Disaster Relief Fund” to NATCA Attn: Accounting Department 1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, D.C., 20005
Donate through GoFundMe.
The DRC also encourages members to check in with them, especially those in affected areas. If you need help or have questions, please call us at 1-833-NATCA-DRC or email [email protected].
Visit the DRC’s web page for more information and updates.
