LUCERNE, Calif. – Lines form early at the Local Assistance Center in Lucerne as residents affected by the Mendocino Complex fires arrive before opening.
The LAC is housed in the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center to which a mobile air conditioning unit has been attached to reduce temperatures inside the center by adding sprawling ducting connected to a truck in front of the building.
Inside the center Theresa Showen, program manager with Lake County Social Services, provided a tour of the various groups and agencies setting up shop in the center.
"We serve approximately 200 to 300 families each day, it's been way more than any Local Assistance Center we've run," Showen said. "We've done this for the last four years, it's the third LAC I've been involved in and it's a whole different animal this time around."
Showen said the center, which has been open four days, hasn't slowed, with as many new arrivals showing up as in the first days of operation. It had served 1,021 families as of the time of this writing.
During a media tour Tuesday, the scale and complexity of the operation came into stark view as Showen navigated the bustling building and fielded phone calls and questions from staff and evacuees.
Inside the main area, government agencies, county departments and nonprofits fill the room with folding tables and makeshift workstations.
Among the agencies offering support to evacuees are Verizon, which set up a mobile wifi network; the Department of Taxes and Fees, which is set up to aid business owners suffering from delays and avoid penalties; the Franchise Tax board is there for people with losses to help them reduce tax liability.
County Public Health is in place to aid people who may have lost vital records and the Employment Development Department is assisting those who may have lost wages due to the fire where they estimate they are filing 15 to 25 claims each day.
Red Cross is providing casework for people who have lost homes including financial assistance, referrals for those who have not lost homes in addition to providing meals, food and supplies for evacuees such as cleaning kits to remove ash and debris.
County departments including Environmental Health providing information on how to clean up property, Social Service for those who need CalFresh or to apply for cash aid. Behavioral Health is there for "anyone who needs to talk to someone," Showen said. Community Development is also represented.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is assisting and supporting other agencies and customers who billing questions or need to extending bills out.
North Coast Opportunities is on site accepting applications for the Wildfire Relief Fund to provide relief from evacuation costs, food replacement costs, partial to total losses.
Next to NCO is the Social Security department which can provide replacement social security cards among other services. Cal Vet is represented as well to provide relief support to veterans.
Child Support is present as well and among other services are providing children with things to do while their parents work their way through the room.
The DMV has set up a mobile DMV station which can provide registration, ID cares and replacement licenses for those lost in the fire.
California Department of Insurance is fielding Insurance policy-related questions and helping to resolve disputes with Insurance carriers.
The Contractors State License Board is available to help people avoid being scammed if they want to rebuild and CalPers is also represented.
Stepping over air conditioning ducting, Showen led the way to a smaller area next door where a variety of nonprofit agencies had not yet set up shop. St. John's Episcopal Church had set up and spaces were ready for California-Nevada Methodists among others who would be distributing gift cards and gas cards to those in need.
Out the back door, behind the senior center, fresh fruits, vegetables and canned foods are being provided and distributed by NCO. Gleaners will also be providing bagged foods while other groups will provide boxed food and supplies.
"If you lost your toothbrush, we've got those," Showen said.
Between giving direction to staff, answering questions for evacuees and conducting a media tour Showen, who herself was an evacuee during the Valley Fire, said she is working 12 to 14 hour days to provide services to the public.
"I've lost 10 pounds in the last five days, running around here like a crazy person," she said. "For me, this is really rewarding."
Email John Jensen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Tour of Lucerne Local Assistance Center reveals high traffic
- John Jensen
- Posted On