Los Angeles Fire Chief Kirstin Crowley slammed the city’s leadership over its handling of the fire department’s budget as deadly wildfires continue to rip through Southern California. She told @christinapascucci and Mo News that several reports have found that LA needs double the firefighters and 62 new stations to meet the demands of LA county.
#HEARTBREAKING The IDF has tragically confirmed that the bodies of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, murdered by H@mas, have been recovered and identified. However, the third body returned is not Shiri Bibas. Our hearts are shattering and we can’t stop thinking about Yarden and the Bibas family. We are sending you all the love and strength in the world. May the memory of these two beautiful boys spark a revolution and be a blessing forever.
#HEARTBREAKING The IDF has tragically confirmed that the bodies of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, murdered by H@mas, have been recovered and identified. However, the third body returned is not Shiri Bibas. Our hearts are shattering and we can’t stop thinking about Yarden and the Bibas family. We are sending you all the love and strength in the world. May the memory of these two beautiful boys spark a revolution and be a blessing forever.
#HEARTBREAKING The IDF has tragically confirmed that the bodies of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, murdered by H@mas, have been recovered and identified. However, the third body returned is not Shiri Bibas. Our hearts are shattering and we can’t stop thinking about Yarden and the Bibas family. We are sending you all the love and strength in the world. May the memory of these two beautiful boys spark a revolution and be a blessing forever.
Random personal share that is relevant for today— I was recently sworn into the California State Guard as a Warrant Officer. Warrant officers have specialized expertise and are deployed as needed for disasters. My first deployment is to respond to the fires. I wanted to take this chance to highlight what they’re doing— they work closely with the National Guard who is currently on the ground. There are more than 850 members currently responding, including hand crews to fight the flames and pilots to fly aircraft like Blackhawks, Chinooks, and C-130s which all have the ability to do water drops as needed. I have always deeply respected our military and first responders. It’s a true honor and privilege to be able to give back in any small way that I can, especially as this city that raised me and has given me so much is experiencing tremendous pain.
Random personal share that is relevant for today— I was recently sworn into the California State Guard as a Warrant Officer. Warrant officers have specialized expertise and are deployed as needed for disasters. My first deployment is to respond to the fires. I wanted to take this chance to highlight what they’re doing— they work closely with the National Guard who is currently on the ground. There are more than 850 members currently responding, including hand crews to fight the flames and pilots to fly aircraft like Blackhawks, Chinooks, and C-130s which all have the ability to do water drops as needed. I have always deeply respected our military and first responders. It’s a true honor and privilege to be able to give back in any small way that I can, especially as this city that raised me and has given me so much is experiencing tremendous pain.
Random personal share that is relevant for today— I was recently sworn into the California State Guard as a Warrant Officer. Warrant officers have specialized expertise and are deployed as needed for disasters. My first deployment is to respond to the fires. I wanted to take this chance to highlight what they’re doing— they work closely with the National Guard who is currently on the ground. There are more than 850 members currently responding, including hand crews to fight the flames and pilots to fly aircraft like Blackhawks, Chinooks, and C-130s which all have the ability to do water drops as needed. I have always deeply respected our military and first responders. It’s a true honor and privilege to be able to give back in any small way that I can, especially as this city that raised me and has given me so much is experiencing tremendous pain.
Random personal share that is relevant for today— I was recently sworn into the California State Guard as a Warrant Officer. Warrant officers have specialized expertise and are deployed as needed for disasters. My first deployment is to respond to the fires. I wanted to take this chance to highlight what they’re doing— they work closely with the National Guard who is currently on the ground. There are more than 850 members currently responding, including hand crews to fight the flames and pilots to fly aircraft like Blackhawks, Chinooks, and C-130s which all have the ability to do water drops as needed. I have always deeply respected our military and first responders. It’s a true honor and privilege to be able to give back in any small way that I can, especially as this city that raised me and has given me so much is experiencing tremendous pain.
Random personal share that is relevant for today— I was recently sworn into the California State Guard as a Warrant Officer. Warrant officers have specialized expertise and are deployed as needed for disasters. My first deployment is to respond to the fires. I wanted to take this chance to highlight what they’re doing— they work closely with the National Guard who is currently on the ground. There are more than 850 members currently responding, including hand crews to fight the flames and pilots to fly aircraft like Blackhawks, Chinooks, and C-130s which all have the ability to do water drops as needed. I have always deeply respected our military and first responders. It’s a true honor and privilege to be able to give back in any small way that I can, especially as this city that raised me and has given me so much is experiencing tremendous pain.
Random personal share that is relevant for today— I was recently sworn into the California State Guard as a Warrant Officer. Warrant officers have specialized expertise and are deployed as needed for disasters. My first deployment is to respond to the fires. I wanted to take this chance to highlight what they’re doing— they work closely with the National Guard who is currently on the ground. There are more than 850 members currently responding, including hand crews to fight the flames and pilots to fly aircraft like Blackhawks, Chinooks, and C-130s which all have the ability to do water drops as needed. I have always deeply respected our military and first responders. It’s a true honor and privilege to be able to give back in any small way that I can, especially as this city that raised me and has given me so much is experiencing tremendous pain.
Random personal share that is relevant for today— I was recently sworn into the California State Guard as a Warrant Officer. Warrant officers have specialized expertise and are deployed as needed for disasters. My first deployment is to respond to the fires. I wanted to take this chance to highlight what they’re doing— they work closely with the National Guard who is currently on the ground. There are more than 850 members currently responding, including hand crews to fight the flames and pilots to fly aircraft like Blackhawks, Chinooks, and C-130s which all have the ability to do water drops as needed. I have always deeply respected our military and first responders. It’s a true honor and privilege to be able to give back in any small way that I can, especially as this city that raised me and has given me so much is experiencing tremendous pain.
Random personal share that is relevant for today— I was recently sworn into the California State Guard as a Warrant Officer. Warrant officers have specialized expertise and are deployed as needed for disasters. My first deployment is to respond to the fires. I wanted to take this chance to highlight what they’re doing— they work closely with the National Guard who is currently on the ground. There are more than 850 members currently responding, including hand crews to fight the flames and pilots to fly aircraft like Blackhawks, Chinooks, and C-130s which all have the ability to do water drops as needed. I have always deeply respected our military and first responders. It’s a true honor and privilege to be able to give back in any small way that I can, especially as this city that raised me and has given me so much is experiencing tremendous pain.
Dear Los Angeles, I love you. Thank you for raising me. You’re a melting pot for virtually every nationality in the world, which also comes with vibrant culture, and neighborhoods like little Ethiopia, Lebanon row, and Olvera Street. That alone has taught me so much. Thank you for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Many don’t realize how gorgeous you are, with Chumash caves, jagged peaks, roaming mountain lions, and sparkling ocean. I can’t count the times I’ve watched dolphins play or whales spout, from grey whales to orcas to blue whales to humpbacks. There’s an abundance of life that’s hard to find in any other urban city. You are a hub of innovation. You played a key role in the creation of the space shuttle! Not to mention all the satellite technologies, the personal computer, the internet as we know it, the first freeway in the United States, and then perhaps more important things like sriracha and gangsta rap. And of course I must mention how you gave rise to global cinema, enabling billions of people around the world to dream big. How appropriate for the city of dreams. You are the essence of resilience. By your very nature you shouldn’t even exist as a city, a desert by the sea. But you have persisted for 243 years, defying possibility and attracting dreamers, like my immigrant mom and actor dad who came here for a better life, and thanks to you, they created it! You cradled me in my darkest times, and loved me when I was at my worst. And you were there for my happiest times, like my daughter being born. I will teach her to love you like I do. And now we see how you get what you give. The love for you pouring in from all directions, the relentless push to ensure you’ll rise again through the ashes. While some may love to hate on Los Angeles, it’s cause they know we are the best. We will never give up on our city. We will rebuild and it will be better than we imagined. I love you, Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley responded Friday to budget cuts that she says have hurt firefighters’ abilities to fight the deadly wildfires across the city. In an interview with @christinapascucci, the fire chief said the fire department has been cut as the needs of the city have increased in recent years. She says the @losangelesfiredepartment was at a “breaking point,” even before these fires.
This past week @carolinedamore and I fed everyone and anyone we could who was responding to the fire. Thankfully, because so many of you have stepped up in incredible ways, most firefighters were actually full! However, we found a group of hungry inmate firefighters who were thrilled to get several boxes of pizza! California’s inmate firefighter program aims to offer skills, a sense of purpose, and a reduced sentence to inmates. They undergo rigorous training and there are specific eligibility requirements like good behavior and they cannot have been convicted of a crime like arson. These guys seemed super stoked to be recognized for their hard work, and to be able to give back to the community after a bit of a rough past. Thank you, my dear friend, for donating all this pizza from your restaurant and also your time, as your own family home burned to the ground 🥺 @carolinedamore @pizzagirl
🎥“This is a race against time.” Engineers from your Cal Guard, based in Chico, are working 24-hour ops near Eaton Canyon to protect communities after devastating fires. With no vegetation to stop debris flow, they’re using heavy equipment and retrofitting basins to slow water, trap debris, and prevent flooding. 🤝 Proud to partner with @lacopublicworks & @cadepartmentofwaterresources to safeguard lives and homes. 🌐 Stay safe—visit listoscalifornia.org for tips on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. @calfire @cal_oes @cagovernor @listoscalifornia #eatonfire
Reporting for duty 🫡 @thecalguard has activated 1,600 service members. In addition to hundreds of military police who are providing any level of support needed, including protecting against looting, they have their Joint Task Force Rattlesnake Type 1 hand crews on the ground fighting the fires. They also brought in black hawks, chinooks, and c-130s that will be launching as needed. I learned today how aerial firefighting is often compared to combat as one of the most dangerous missions.
7 major moments of 2024 🤍 Meant to post this in the beginning of the year and then all of Jan 2025 happened. While there were many big life events in 2024 you may already know, I haven’t shared that I started a company! Atlas transforms bold ideas into lasting impact through the power of influence, storytelling, and strategic engagement. It’s essentially a consultancy at the intersection of media and politics. It’s been so rewarding to work with changemakers who are passionate about making the world a better place. There will be much more to share in 2025! My word for 2025 is alignment and I really see life shifting in major ways as I focus in on what matters to me most. It hasn’t been easy. It’s scary as hell moving away from all you’ve known and loved to what you envision you can do and be to best serve the world. May February begin a reset for all of us of better things to come 🙏🏽
Such an honor to meet LAFD firefighters Al Hugo and Jerry Puga, who have saved others for 20 years but sadly both lost their homes in the Eaton fire. To hug nanny Heidi Joseph. She worked for more than 20 years in the Palisades with the same family. She helped raise their 4 kids. They lost everything and now Heidi is out of work and behind on rent. To speak with teacher and father of 5 Matthew Ball and his family, whose home was burned in Eaton. To see and hear from salon owner Catherine Dambrosia, whose salon was burned down in the Palisades fire. What’s insane is that this gymnasium filled with 500 fire victims could be filled more than 50 times and that would still not include all those whose homes burned. So grateful for all you helpers out there including @the_changereaction who gave each of these fire victims a minimum of $1,000. This was the first of more check drives to come 🤍 Sometimes after the emergency has passed people forget, but for many, the emergency is really just beginning. And we must remain by their side until they rebuild.
Such an honor to meet LAFD firefighters Al Hugo and Jerry Puga, who have saved others for 20 years but sadly both lost their homes in the Eaton fire. To hug nanny Heidi Joseph. She worked for more than 20 years in the Palisades with the same family. She helped raise their 4 kids. They lost everything and now Heidi is out of work and behind on rent. To speak with teacher and father of 5 Matthew Ball and his family, whose home was burned in Eaton. To see and hear from salon owner Catherine Dambrosia, whose salon was burned down in the Palisades fire. What’s insane is that this gymnasium filled with 500 fire victims could be filled more than 50 times and that would still not include all those whose homes burned. So grateful for all you helpers out there including @the_changereaction who gave each of these fire victims a minimum of $1,000. This was the first of more check drives to come 🤍 Sometimes after the emergency has passed people forget, but for many, the emergency is really just beginning. And we must remain by their side until they rebuild.
Such an honor to meet LAFD firefighters Al Hugo and Jerry Puga, who have saved others for 20 years but sadly both lost their homes in the Eaton fire. To hug nanny Heidi Joseph. She worked for more than 20 years in the Palisades with the same family. She helped raise their 4 kids. They lost everything and now Heidi is out of work and behind on rent. To speak with teacher and father of 5 Matthew Ball and his family, whose home was burned in Eaton. To see and hear from salon owner Catherine Dambrosia, whose salon was burned down in the Palisades fire. What’s insane is that this gymnasium filled with 500 fire victims could be filled more than 50 times and that would still not include all those whose homes burned. So grateful for all you helpers out there including @the_changereaction who gave each of these fire victims a minimum of $1,000. This was the first of more check drives to come 🤍 Sometimes after the emergency has passed people forget, but for many, the emergency is really just beginning. And we must remain by their side until they rebuild.
Such an honor to meet LAFD firefighters Al Hugo and Jerry Puga, who have saved others for 20 years but sadly both lost their homes in the Eaton fire. To hug nanny Heidi Joseph. She worked for more than 20 years in the Palisades with the same family. She helped raise their 4 kids. They lost everything and now Heidi is out of work and behind on rent. To speak with teacher and father of 5 Matthew Ball and his family, whose home was burned in Eaton. To see and hear from salon owner Catherine Dambrosia, whose salon was burned down in the Palisades fire. What’s insane is that this gymnasium filled with 500 fire victims could be filled more than 50 times and that would still not include all those whose homes burned. So grateful for all you helpers out there including @the_changereaction who gave each of these fire victims a minimum of $1,000. This was the first of more check drives to come 🤍 Sometimes after the emergency has passed people forget, but for many, the emergency is really just beginning. And we must remain by their side until they rebuild.
Last night 500 fire victims came together in their largest gathering since the fires devastated Los Angeles. @the_changereaction wrote a total of $1.2 million (!) in checks to those impacted, including homeowners, renters, business owners, firefighters, teachers, nannies, and other workers who lost their livelihoods in the Palisades and Eaton fires. Many were in tears and said how healing it was to be with others going through the same pain. My deepest gratitude to TCR for allowing me to be involved in this 🤍 If you’re looking for somewhere to donate, TCR cuts the red tape and gets money directly into the pockets of those in need, quickly. Their goal is to raise $50 million for fire victims. They have more check drives on the horizon, so stay tuned… Changereaction.org Huge gratitude for all the volunteers and faith and community leaders like @councilwomantracipark who showed up. Appreciate you so much 👏🏽 Cover photo by Katarina Benzova Video shot by @kris_art_ciaga Video edited and produced by @christinapascucci 🤍
She is home. Four more are home. 🤍 I had the immense honor of praying with Daniella Gilboa’s mother for her safe return. There is nothing like a mother’s prayers. We are all wrapping our arms around you, tears down our cheeks, elated your prayers came true 🥹 I am praying for the other hostages to come home safely and an end to all the suffering in the region. #bringthemhomenow
