Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Opening of Additional One-Stop Local Assistance Center for Fire Victims

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

November 19, 2008

To help the recovery process for those affected by the fires, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the establishment of another one-stop local assistance center to be located at the Sylmar Recreation Center in Sylmar. The center will open tomorrow and representatives from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services and various state, local and community-based organizations will be present to provide information on services available to displaced victims and those who have experienced property loss and economic and other damages.

"Our hearts go out to the Californians who have lost their homes, personal property and valuables in these devastating fires," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "We will continue to work with our partners in all levels of government to help the victims of these fires recover as quickly as possible."

The Sylmar Recreation Center located at 13109 Borden Avenue in Sylmar will open tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. The daily hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Earlier this week, the Governor announced the opening of a one-stop local assistance center in Anaheim, located at the East Anaheim Gymnasium, 8165 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road. This location is currently open and its daily hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A one-stop local assistance center also opened earlier this week in Santa Barbara, located at the Davis Center, 1232 De La Vina Street. The daily hours for this location are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To aid fire victims on their road to recovery, the Governor issued an executive order yesterday to assist fire victims by waiving fees and assisting in the replacement of certain vital documents, suspending the one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance as well as expediting the cleanup and debris removal process.

Additionally, Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday announced additional state resources available to fire victims including cash grants of up to $10,000 to help with medical costs, transportation, housing and replacing household items, a hotline and Web site to protect victims from fraud and ways for others to volunteer or donate to help Californians cope with the effects of the wildfires.

For up to date information and details about the fires burning in Southern California please visit the Governor's Office of Emergency Services' Web site at http://www.oes.ca.gov and CAL FIRE's Web site at http://www.fire.ca.gov.