By Sara Rogers | Program Manager
As part of the California Fire Foundation’s mission to provide victim assistance, it’s Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) program provides emergency short-term financial assistance to fire and natural disaster victims in California year-round. Through SAVE, CPF local affiliates and their fire departments were on site in Southern California during the Saddleridge, Getty, Tick Fires with SAVE gift cards to aid anyone who had lost or incurred significant damage to their place of residence. The $250 SAVE cards provided those suffering substantial property loss with some immediate on-site assistance. The Foundation has also provided 100 cards to be distributed to victims of the Kincade Fire.
A year has passed since the devastating Camp, Hill, and Woolsey Fires of 2018 broke out. The Camp Fire became the deadliest wildfire in California history, During and following the fires, the California Fire Foundation mobilized direct assistance through local fire departments and volunteers. During the three weeks that cards were distributed at the FEMA center in Chico and at various locations throughout Southern California, firefighters and volunteers distributed over 10,000 cards totaling over $2.6 million given in direct aid to victims.
SAVE cards can be used to purchase food, clothing, medicine, lodging, and other necessities in a time when people are left with little more than the clothes on their backs. Since its inception, the SAVE program has assisted over 56,000 victims of fire and other natural disaster.
Throughout 2019, the Foundation staff has replaced cards for 84 fire departments throughout California to assist them with the $250 card increase process and provide training and program updates when necessary. The Foundation has worked towards increasing its scope to as many fire departments and citizens of California as possible. With over 90 departments currently participating, the Foundation is close to meeting the goal of partnering with 100 departments by the end of the year. This is made possible through the donations and support that the program receives, and allows for victims of fire and natural disaster to begin the rebuilding process with extra assistance when they need it most.
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