Wildfire Support, Preparedness and Ways to Help
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Dear Triton Community,
As Los Angeles and Southern California communities continue to experience the devastation of wildfires, my thoughts are with all those who are affected within our campus community and beyond. Several UC San Diego community members have tragically lost their family homes, and many are providing temporary housing to those who have evacuated. I recognize the significant challenges and stress that catastrophic events like these can cause, whether you or loved ones are personally impacted, or if you are coping with the indirect effects of these ongoing disasters so close to San Diego.
We are committed to supporting you during this difficult time, and our resources are available to everyone in the campus community. UC San Diego student, staff and faculty safety and well-being remain our utmost priority.
We stand with the UCLA community, where unfortunately many staff and students have lost their homes and a UCLA Health clinic has been completely destroyed. We also are thinking of our colleagues and peers at other Southern California institutions, who are impacted by wildfire destruction as well. We have stayed in touch throughout this time to offer our ongoing support for their communities, and we will continue to do so.
Below, I am providing an update on UC San Diego campus operations and planning, sharing some ways we are leading the way on fire detection and public safety, offering information on helpful resources, and – by request from many members of our caring community – sharing ways to help.
Information about Southern California wildfire-related resources and ways to help will be kept up to date on our Wildfire Resources website.
No Expected Impact to Campus or Health System
While wildfires are always top of mind in our campus emergency preparations, the UC San Diego campus is not in immediate danger and remains open and fully operational. The UC San Diego Health System hospitals and clinics also are operating normally.
Our Emergency Operations Center is closely monitoring the current wildfire conditions and staying informed about weather, air quality and any nearby fires. We are prepared to quickly activate our emergency plans and respond if the situation changes. For up-to-date information on the status of UC San Diego, visit the Current Status website.
Preparation and Public Safety Precautions
We encourage everyone to take appropriate precautions to prepare for potential disasters such as wildfires.
- PREPARE: Visit our Emergency Preparedness website and California Office of Emergency Services website for emergency preparedness information.
- MONITOR: Please be aware of changing weather conditions and current emergency incidents, and make sure that you and your loved ones are signed up for Triton Alert Emergency Notifications with your current contact information.
- STAY SAFE: Plan ahead, gather supplies in a “go bag” following an Emergency Supplies Checklist, and be prepared to evacuate if needed. Keep all of your electronic devices plugged in and fully charged where possible. Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more safety tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Resources for Students
Steps Taken by Student Affairs to Date
- Student Affairs has identified names of students based on ZIP codes where we have awareness of fire emergencies. Potentially impacted students have been contacted directly by their respective Deans of Student Affairs in GEPA and in the Undergraduate Colleges.
- Resources for students impacted by fire emergencies have been shared via social media and added to the Student Affairs website and @ucsdtritonlife Instagram.
- Associated Students is surveying impacted students and making resources available.
- CAPS continues to serve students via telehealth and in person.
Student Affairs Case Management Services
Student Affairs Case Management Services (SACM) provides inclusive, comprehensive support services and connection to appropriate resources and accommodations.
The Hub Basic Needs Center
The Hub Basic Needs Center can help coordinate access to a variety of supportive resources and referrals as needed. They also have compiled a list of Los Angeles resources to assist those in the area impacted by the fires.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Students may access Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) by calling 858-534-3755 or visiting caps.ucsd.edu.
Student Legal Services
Student Legal Services is available to registered students and student organizations, providing free, confidential counseling, education programs, workshops and referrals to private attorneys.
Student Military/Veteran Resources
Active/reserve military and/or veteran students may contact the Student Veterans Resources Center for assistance. Any National Guard members deployed by the governor may be eligible for Military Leave, and the Student Veterans Resource Center can assist with the appropriate procedures.
Undergraduate, Graduate and Professional Student Affairs Offices
The Undergraduate, Graduate and Professional Deans of Student Affairs (listed below) are available to support students who experience challenges that impact their well-being and academic success, including:
- Providing immediate connection to support services, including activation of the Temporary Housing Protocol and/or Emergency Meal Assistance Program.
- Connecting students requiring formal accommodations to the Office for Students with Disabilities.
- Reaching out to faculty for students who need short-term flexibility for serious disruptions to their academics.
- Referring students to Student Affairs Case Management Services and coordinating ongoing support with assigned case managers.
Undergraduate Colleges
Revelle College – Sherry Mallory, slmallory@ucsd.edu
John Muir College – Jason Thibodeaux, jjthibodeaux@ucsd.edu
Thurgood Marshall College – Amber Vlasnik, avlasnik@ucsd.edu
Earl Warren College – James C. Smith, jcs004@ucsd.edu
Eleanor Roosevelt College – Mario Garibay, magaribay@ucsd.edu
Sixth College – Diane LeGree, dlegree@ucsd.edu
Seventh College – Josh Brimmeier, jbrimmeier@ucsd.edu
Eighth College – Sarah Gallenberg, sgallenberg@ucsd.edu
Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA)
Interim Assistant Dean of Student Affairs – Andrew Hua, ahua@uscd.edu
Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs - Robert Kaplan, rokaplan@health.ucsd.edu
School of Medicine
Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs - Kama Guluma, kguluma@ucsd.edu
Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Associate Dean for Student Affairs - Candis Morello, cmmorello@health.ucsd.edu
Resources for Academics and Staff
Counseling Services
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program offers counseling appointments for all faculty and staff members.
The UC Behavioral Health Benefits page on UCnet includes helpful resources and contacts for accessing mental health services.
UC San Diego Health team members can call 866-808-6205 (use company code UCSDMC) or review the Employee Assistance Program page on the HHR website. Check Team Member Well-Being Resources on Pulse for the latest wellness events and information.
UC San Diego Health hospital chaplains are also available for health team members. Call 619-290-1560 or dial “0” to reach the hospital operator and request the on-call chaplain. See the Spiritual Care page on Pulse for more details.
Personal Leave
If you are unable to work due to fire-related issues such as evacuation or power outages, you should work with your supervisor to take time off (including leave, sick or other leaves) as appropriate. We encourage supervisors to be flexible and supportive with such requests, as well as asking faculty to show flexibility toward students needing temporary flexibility due to fire-related disruptions. Additionally, National Guard members deployed by the governor may be eligible for Military Leave.
Catastrophic Leave Donation Program
Eligible employees impacted by the fires, including those with major property damage or displacement and who have depleted their vacation time, may be eligible for support through the Catastrophic Leave Donation Program.
Other Ways to Help
UCLA has compiled a list of opportunities for those who would like to assist victims of these fires.
UC San Diego’s ALERTCalifornia Program Supports Regional Resilience
Finally, as our region continues to face ever-increasing challenges of disasters, including wildfires, UC San Diego is also contributing to the work of first responders through our innovative ALERTCalifornia program. This collaborative initiative based at UC San Diego harnesses cutting-edge technology and research to monitor and stay ahead of climate-driven disasters.
Through more than 1,140 strategically placed cameras and sensors positioned throughout California, the ALERTCalifornia network utilizes artificial intelligence to rapidly detect and confirm early signs of wildfires, as well as monitor fire activity – including the Palisades fire and other LA County fires now burning. This information enables first responders to swiftly mobilize resources, reducing the risk of environmental damage, health hazards and safety threats, and ultimately saving lives and property as part of a comprehensive emergency response.
Please take care, stay safe and know we are here to support you.
Sincerely,
Pradeep K. Khosla
Chancellor
Joan and Irwin Jacobs Chancellor’s Endowed Chair
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