With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
OC Firefighters Raise Money For Maui Colleagues Who Lost Their Homes
A firefighting helicopter drops water as Maui County firefighters extinguish a fire near homes during the upcountry Maui wildfires in Kula, Hawaii on Aug. 13, 2023.
(
Patrick T. Fallon
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Orange County firefighters have raised $125,000 to help 17 Maui firefighters who lost their homes in the recent wildfires.
They said they've already distributed $80,000 dollars, with another $45,000 expected to be delivered this week.
Several of the Maui firefighters were on duty saving structures, protecting people, or treating burn patients when their own homes burned, said Orange County Fire Authority Captain Steve Concialdi.
"They've been through the worst devastation," Concialdi said. "I've been to some major fires, and this fire is by far worse for the loss of life. At least 115 people died in this fire."
Support for LAist comes from
Support network
Ethan Frederick is a firefighter paramedic with the Orange County Fire Authority. But before that, he was a firefighter in Maui, where he formed a strong bond with colleagues and the community.
"It hit home a lot when this happened 'cause I know how great a people they are and how much love and care they have for each other," he said. "Just 'cause now I'm in a different department in a different state, none of that goes away."
Frederick, Concialdi and two others flew out over the weekend with cash, gift cards and support. Concialdi said he arrived with $20,000, which he raised with the OCFA and the Benevolent Association.
That money quickly grew to $30,000. Then the Orange County Fallen Firefighter Relief Fund came through with a $50,000 check, and the Montecito Fire Department nearly matched it.
The road to recovery
Frederick said the love and resiliency from the community has been powerful. But the main goal is to maintain help through financial and emotional support because the recovery is going to be a long road for everybody.
Support for LAist comes from
"The financial help is awesome, but that's only going to fill a void," he said. "These guys lost everything, not just the firefighters, the entire community. From here on out, we're just going to continue that support."
You can help by donating visiting the the Orange County Fire Authority Benevolent Association.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist