The 2018 Carr and Delta Fires have had a significant impact on members of our community, local businesses and the surrounding natural environment, leaving close to 1,100 homes destroyed and many others damaged. Government agencies like Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), and others brought initial and critical financial and logistical support to our community. Unfortunately, even with the help of the state and federal government, those involved in serving individuals impacted by the Carr and Delta fires know there are still overwhelming unmet needs.
To help survivors of the Carr and Delta Fires fully recover, a number of non-profit groups, faith-based organizations, businesses, government agencies and others have come together to form the NorCal Community Recovery Team (CRT). NorCal CRT is a community-based Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) set up to assess unmet recovery needs in the community that still exist after initial federal assistance and community support have been distributed. NorCal CRT will help eliminate costly duplication of efforts in our community’s recovery by providing a coordinated and cohesive approach to donation management, case management, resource allocation and distribution, and spiritual and emotional counseling for survivors of the Carr and Delta Fires.
Although we stand in solidarity with our neighbors in Butte County who continue to be affected by the Camp Fire, the NorCal CRT committees are focused on and committed to helping Shasta County residents impacted by the Carr and Delta Fires. Assistance from NorCal CRT is not based solely on income eligibility. NorCal CRT committees and member organizations can help develop long term recovery plans for families and individuals with any unmet needs in areas such as providing financial support, locating emotional/spiritual support, connecting with reputable agencies/businesses needed for rebuilding, or helping survivors with information and best next steps related to recovery efforts. Any survivors seeking assistance from community agencies will be thoroughly vetted through NorCal CRT’s volunteer case managers who will operate under the supervision of a case management coordinator employed through Northern Valley Catholic Social Service and funded by a grant from Catholic Charities. This centralized process will help to ensure that all survivors have equal access to assistance while avoiding potential misappropriation or duplication of resources already received, including but not limited to FEMA, insurance and private assistance.
Volunteer members have been forming committees and laying the foundational processes necessary for the efforts of the NorCal CRT to commence operations to help those affected. Projects currently under development include establishing case management workers, trainings, and warehouse coordination for donated items. We are developing a website where anyone seeking information, requiring help, or wishing to donate or volunteer may fill out a simple form in order to be contacted by the appropriate individual. Updates may also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @norcalCRT. For access to helpful links to community resources please go to www.211norcal.org or text your zip code to 898211 (usual rates apply) or call 2-1-1 to connect with a live Call Specialist for personalized service any time, day or night.
Some of our the represented groups participating in NorCal CRT are (this is by no means a definitive list): 2-1-1 Shasta, American Red Cross, Bethel Church, Children’s Legacy Center, Dignity Health, Connected Living, Don Ajamian Construction, Disability Action Center, Eagles Nest, Empire Recovery Center, First Christian Church, First 5, Haven Humane, Hill Country Clinic, KIXE, Legal Services of Northern California, Lions Club, Mercy Medical Center, NVCSS, Pacific Sky, Redding United Methodist Church, Salvation Army, Shasta College, Shasta County HHSA, Shasta County Interfaith Forum, Shasta Family YMCA, Shasta Youth Alliance, Sierra Community Services, St James Lutheran Church, Superior California Economic Development, The McConnell Foundation, Therapy Associates, United Way of Northern California, Western Service Workers.
For media inquiries and follow-up questions please contact our PIO, Peter Griggs at norcalcrt@gmail.com
