Over three weeks after residents of Los Angeles County, California, were forced to evacuate due to extreme wildfires, organizations are coming together to provide relief and support for the displaced victims.
Among these is CooperVision—which recently implemented a Patient Emergency Relief Program to assist eyecare professionals (ECPs) and their patients who have been impacted—as well as several other eyecare companies.
First, what’s the latest on these wildfires?
In total: Over 50,000 acres have burned in Southern California.
According to the State of California’s CAL FIRE website, three regions in Los Angeles are still currently active (see below), with two of the three (Palisades and Eaton) burning since Jan. 7.
- Palisades
- Acres burned: 23,448
- Containment: 95%
- Eaton
- Acres burned: 14,021
- Containment: 99%
- Hughes (started on Jan. 22)
- Acres: 10,425
- Containment: 98%
Click here for a 3D map of these incidents.
And the community impact?
A total of 29 fatalities have now been confirmed by officials as due to the wildfires, while recent flooding and mudslides in the LA region (and asbestos warnings issued) are just the beginning of the heightened risk for further damage in the coming weeks and months.
The structural damage:
- From the Palisades Fire: 6,837 homes and other structures destroyed
- From the Eaton Fire: 9,418 homes and other structures destroyed
And the monetary estimate: Accuweather previously reported the total damage and economic loss from these Southern California wildfires to be between $250 billion to $275 billion—and that’s not including the least $30 billion expected in losses from insurers (plus another $10 billion from uninsured losses).
Now to relief efforts.
While residents have begun to be allowed to return to the wildfire zones previously under mandatory evacuation orders (see here for how to safely reenter these areas), thousands of residents remain displaced.
Last week: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that will provide $2.5 billion in disaster relief as part of a bipartisan relief package to boost ongoing response and jumpstart recovery and rebuilding efforts in the community.
- See here for a look at the list of executive orders targeting support and safeguarding of residents.
And more recently: A new unified recovery initiative called LA Rises was launched, with efforts led by private sector leaders such as Earvin “Magic” Johnson to support rebuilding efforts.
And in the eyecare community?
We previously reported on the Los Angeles County Optometric Society working with the California Optometric Association to organize donations of eyecare supplies and emergency care for displaced residents and first responders (as well as VSP and the Red Cross).
Since then, CooperVision has implemented its Patient Emergency Relief Program to assist ECPs and their patients who have been impacted by the wildfires.
- Take note: This program is open only to ECPs practicing in the LA area.
And what is this program offering?
Per the company, ECPs can request up to two complimentary boxes of CooperVision contact lenses for their affected patients.
- How to do this: ECPs should contact their CooperVision sales representative or email CVcares@coopervision.com to obtain a form and process their request.
- Note: Standard delivery is three to five days.
Further: Once ECP practices affected by the wildfires are operational again, CooperVision will issue replacement fitting sets.
Any other eyecare efforts?
Alcon and its foundation (Alcon Cares) are also reported to be supporting first responders and impacted residents with eyecare supply donations to local non-profits:
- Artificial tears
- Lid wipes
- Saline solution
- Eye drops
- Contact lenses and solution
And Bausch + Lomb issued a statement earlier this month on its efforts to offer relief, stating in part:
“Through the Bausch Foundation we’re in the process of donating eye drops and eye wash to support [LA] firefighters, residents, and others affected by the devastating fires.”
Go on …
EssilorLuxottica has reportedly:
- Activated its Give-a-Day program for its employees, in which they can donate their paid time off (PTO) to colleagues who may have used their PTO during the wildfires
- Launched a fund-matching fundraiser via Members Trust Federal Credit Union to match funds contributed by employees to assist colleagues
- Implemented its disaster relief program for customers in the LA area, providing services such as more flexible commercial terms and replacement lenses
- Via the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, is using its Changing Life Through Lenses (CLTL) and OneSight Voucher programs so optometrists and nonprofits can use its network to request free replacement glasses for residents
- Plus: All existing or new CLTL accounts can request a free frame kit (through email or registering)
- This will be done via its optical retail brands such as Target Optical, EyeMed, PearlVision, and LensCrafters
Nice! And for non-eyecare-related assistance?
The State of California website offers information on how residents can receive in-person and online help, including details on three local disaster relief centers currently open:
- UCLA Disaster Recovery Center
- UCLA Research Park West
- 10850 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064
- Pasadena Disaster Recovery Center*
- Pasadena City College – Community Education Center
- 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107
- Altadena Disaster Recovery Center
- 540 W. Woodbury Rd. Altadena, CA 91001
*This location will close after Jan. 31.
And what services are offered at these locations?
State and local services such as:
- Food benefits
- Health services and advice
- Unemployment assistance
- Disability benefits
- Personal document replacements
- Tips for hiring contractors
- Insurance claims assistance
- Tax help and relief
And on a federal level: housing, home repairs, and legal services.
See here for additional resources from LA County Recovers.