Lessons Learned from Thousand Oaks, California:

On November 7, 2018, a mass shooting occurred at a local bar & grill in Thousand Oaks, California resulting in the tragic deaths of 12 young adults and a responding Sheriff's Department Sergeant. Less than 12 hours later, the first of two devastating wildfires entered the city limits, in the end consuming 7,000 acres of open space, destroying 72 homes and structures, and causing the evacuation of thousands of residents.

Through these horrific events, the City’s Public Works Department played an essential role, both as first responders and continuing through recovery. Traditional public works emergency work was provided including road closures, traffic detours, debris removal, and flooding mitigation, along with cost accounting for FEMA reimbursement. But these incidents required staff to take on challenging tasks outside our core mission areas, such as operating evacuation shelters, roadside memorial relocation, private property debris removal coordination, town hall meetings, and more. We are a better department following these experiences, and can share many lessons learned: EOC and field management and communications, caring for emotional health of staff, preparing for “Red Flag” events, dedicating staff as liaison for affected residents, to name a few.

Lessons learned from Los Angeles County, California:

The Woolsey Fire burned over 96,000 acres ravaging the Counties of Los Angeles and Ventura and five incorporated cities. It destroyed over 1500 structures, killed three people, prompted the mass evacuation of over 250,000 people, and destroyed essential infrastructure. Los Angeles County Public Works took the lead in an unprecedented regional recovery coordination which included structural safety assessments, managing Disaster Assistance Centers, private property debris removal program, providing engineering advice, community outreach, and streamlining rebuilding. In this capacity, LA County PW has sought to ensure recovery for the people and infrastructure affected by the Woolsey Fire and strengthen the ability of communities to live and thrive in a wildland fire interface.

Examine the essential role of public works as both First Responders and as community leaders throughout all phases of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Discover what tasks, outside the core mission, that the Thousand Oaks Public Works and LA County Public Works Departments performed in response to their communities' needs after devastating disasters.
Take inspiration from these compelling public works stories to be better prepared for all of the aspects of public works response to disasters.

Jay T. Spurgin PE

Public Works Director, City of Thousand Oaks

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