OT: DEVASTATING WILDFIRE ….Santa Monica/Palisades fire being aided by 50-80mph Santa Ana winds. 100mph possible overnight

[Caliknight]

This is the level of incompetence and misguided ideology we are dealing with here. All roads lead to the same place. Incredible incompetence. I’m glad the world is seeing this in real time. Special thanks to Elon musk for allowing people on X to freely communicate truth.

In the video, Larson states, “You want to see somebody that responds to your house, your emergency — whether it’s a medical call or a fire call — that looks like you. It gives that person a little more ease, knowing that somebody might understand their situation better. ‘Is she strong enough to do this?’ Or ‘You couldn’t carry my husband out of a fire.’ Which my response is, ‘He got himself in the wrong place if I have to carry him out of a fire.’”

https://www.dailywire.com/news/lafd...t-of-a-fire-he-got-himself-in-the-wrong-place

 

[nutfromSEC117]

 

[newell138]

Maybe it’s just me but I’m hoping the people who show up are capable and qualified. They could be green for all I care

 

[Knight Shift]

Melissa Chen has it right. If my house is on fire, or anyone else, I'm not polling the 911 dispatcher and requesting to send a fire crew that looks like me. I want a competent crew skilled in fire suppression and trapped victim search and rescue.

 

[nutfromSEC117]

 

[Knight Shift]

Melissa Chen has it right. If my house is on fire, or anyone else, I'm not polling the 911 dispatcher and requesting to send a fire crew that looks like me. I want a competent crew skilled in fire suppression and trapped victim search and rescue.

Funny personal story. Several years ago, one of my clients who knew I was a firefighter volunteered in the inner city of Newark NJ to teach elementary school students basic math and science through an industry outreach program. She asked me if I would come to the class and talk about firefighting, and if I could wear my firefighter gear (turnout coat, bunker pants, helmet, air pack). I introduce myself to the class, talk a little bit, and then I put my gear on, including my air pack and mask. I told them that a firefighter can look scary, kind of like a monster or Darth Vader, when they are searching a home that is on fire. The volunteer and I were the only two white people in the room. Anyway, after I put my gear on, including my air mask, I ask the close who did I look like-- A kid raised his hand and pointed to the volunteer teacher and said "Her!." The class burst out laughing.

It was an interesting moment and made me appreciate how I might be viewed as a member of society. So, perhaps the thing the firefighter said above may have a little bit of validity, but at the end of the day, you want your fire crew to be trained, competent, fit and able to do the hard work of fighting the fire and dragging/carrying victims out of burning buildings.

 

[Knight Shift]

Is that a Village People video?

 

[Knight Shift]

Good stuff from Highlands, NJ native Kevin Smith:

 

[mdk02]

Popped up on my Edge headlines. Not exactly a far right publication.

https://www.newsweek.com/gavin-newsom-cut-100m-fire-budget-before-california-fires-2012980

 

[newell138]

 

[RUBob75]

Don't be an *******!! You know that ******** is not real!!

 

[toby83]

Great job Bob, calling that out! Can't get anything by these lefties, sharp as a tack!

 

[RUBob75]

Great job Bob, calling that out! Can't get anything by these lefties, sharp as a tack!

I suppose you think a post like that is appropriate during a tragedy! You are another *******!

 

[mdk02]

Don't be an *******!! You know that ******** is not real!!

Great job Bob, calling that out! Can't get anything by these lefties, sharp as a tack!

I suppose you think a post like that is appropriate during a tragedy! You are another *******!

It's the Babylon Bee! It's satire, and anyone who follows them know that it is.

 

[RUBob75]

It's the Babylon Bee! It's satire, and anyone who follows them know that it is.

I am well aware that it is satire! Do you think satire in the middle of an unspeakable tragedy is appropriate?

 

[RUhasarrived]

Amazing but true:Freddy Cannon,who sang Palisades Park,now lives in Tarzana,a few miles away from the Palisades fire.

 

[Knight Shift]

Amazing but true:Freddy Cannon,who sang Palisades Park,now lives in Tarzana,a few miles away from the Palisades fire.

Is Tarzana next to Jane?

 

[mdk02]

I am well aware that it is satire! Do you think satire in the middle of an unspeakable tragedy is appropriate?

If it's on a site that's strictly satire I have no problem with it. Hell, jokes were made about Chernobyl and the Jet Blue crash into the Florida Everglades (which I happened to be on an airline flight when it happened).

 

[Caliknight]

Don't be an *******!! You know that ******** is not real!!

The fact you need to clarify that tells you how bad it is.

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

Not funny at all.

 

[tomatocan]

No one accused the chief of being in charge of the water supply. She's in charge of the force which her main focus, shall we say, was not producing the most well equipped fire fighters.

But to be clear, Newsome and Bass are in charge of the water supply. This was all very manageable with capable people. But we don't have that out here.

Just stop! I live in Santa Monica, just south of the danger line. Your criticism of all things and people who are anti-Trump has clouded your judgement. The mayor does not control the water spigots, and she was not on vacation when she was in Africa. What would a republican mayor and governor do differently BEFORE the fact.

 

[Scarlet4Shore]

Not really.

Talking about what can be done in the future is an important part of this. And finding out what when right or wrong, along who did what and when/why is too.

There is an adult way of doing that. We call it a critique in my profession. Usually happens pretty soon right after the event. More in-depth conversation/study happens later.

Yes, there will also be areas that need to be critiqued. But at the same time, the video of that woman pouring out raw emotion is one snippet of what thousands of human beings may be feeling when they return to where there home was. Some of us have gone through Sandy or other disasters, but even with Sandy, you came back to waterlogged personal items. This woman has a foundation of ashes and memories. Allow these people to grieve and try to be empathetic.

 

[Knight Shift]

this from the article is quite astonishing....and another reason people don't trust our government full of waste and corruption.
While holding two full-time jobs isn’t illegal for public employees, experts said Williams Brewer’s dual roles – as a Howard professor and executive running SCI’s daily operations – raise questions about her commitment to taxpayers.

How is someone working for the state able to perform their job if they are allowed to have another full time job?

Well, fairies grant wishes, but what a total lack of accountability--cry me a river- you got exposed and caught and now playing the victim card:


TRENTON -- The embattled head of the New Jersey agency created to investigate waste, fraud and government abuse resigned after just days on the job following an Asbury Park Press report detailing her dual residency and second full-time, out-of-state job.

New Jersey State Commission of Investigation CEO Tiffany Williams Brewer, 51, submitted her resignation Friday morning, five days after the commission announced her appointment to lead the watchdog agency.

"While I remain dedicated to public service, the recent events, including the revelation of employee-driven mischaracterizations of my actions to the media, have created a toxic climate that dissuades me from continuing in this role," Williams Brewer said. "I am disappointed that this environment, which undermines the integrity of the SCI, has necessitated my resignation."

https://www.app.com/story/news/inve...-brewer-resigns-after-app-report/77594596007/

 

[Knight Shift]

Just stop! I live in Santa Monica, just south of the danger line. Your criticism of all things and people who are anti-Trump has clouded your judgement. The mayor does not control the water spigots, and she was not on vacation when she was in Africa. What would a republican mayor and governor do differently BEFORE the fact.

Kind of funny that the poster you responded to jumped to conclusions about not equipping the firefighters. The budget is handed down from the city, and the budget was cut. But the Mayor of the largest (or second largest) city in the State should have been lobbying the Counties and the State to ensure there was adequate water supply and reserve CAL FIRE firefighters.

The Mayor was not on vacation, but "On Tuesday, she attended the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama."

It's not clear from the LA Times, which I think is a fair publication , why the Mayor thought being in Ghana for the inauguration of their President was more important than serving the mayoral duties.

I kept this as down the middle as possible. But it is fair to question why she felt the need to go to Ghana. Will she go to the US President inauguration in a couple of weeks?

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/mayor-karen-bass-wildfires-africa-trip

 

[e5fdny]

Yes, there will also be areas that need to be critiqued. But at the same time, the video of that woman pouring out raw emotion is one snippet of what thousands of human beings may be feeling when they return to where their home was. Some of us have gone through Sandy or other disasters, but even with Sandy, you came back to waterlogged personal items. This woman has a foundation of ashes and memories. Allow these people to grieve and try to be empathetic.

We can still do that, as we should, and discuss what I said in my previous post.

 

[newell138]

Don't be an *******!! You know that ******** is not real!!

It’s not?!!??

 

[e5fdny]

Not sure where my reply went but I’ll try again

I don’t disagree that anyone and everything responsible should be held accountable after a thorough and thoughtful review. Are critiques done by the interweb usually considered as valuable and helpful as the ones done by people actually working the fire?

Seems that what observers can do more productively now is support victims and firefighters.

btw my brother is another Cook grad who spent a few seasons on fires out west and around the country. I was visiting near a fire this summer days after a pilot died crashing on a water pickup. Tragic. In the days that followed at least 4 planes and helicopters kept circling on water drops. Kudos who all who take all these risks working to keep others safe.

Well, our group here is made up of many who have expertise on multiple topics.

I think, as I said before, done in an adult way this is something we can and should do.

And no reason we can’t do both…think good thoughts for those going thru this and discuss the future.

 

[newell138]

Not funny at all.

It’s funny because it’s almost true. A little humor in times of crisis never hurt anyone. Don’t be so offended

 

[Ty Webb_rivals67856]

I don't know how all this stuff works but if it's accurate that the reservoir near Pacific Palisades was purposely left empty, whew boy.

You'd think when a major US city is surrounded by tinder and your state has numerous wildfires a year, leaving reservoirs empty is a perplexing decision. But again, there may be a valid reason as to what that was the case.

EDIT: I should have done some research. It was apparently offline because it was undergoing repairs.

 

[newell138]

I am well aware that it is satire! Do you think satire in the middle of an unspeakable tragedy is appropriate?

Who decides what’s appropriate in a situation like this?

 

[RULoyal]

It’s funny because it’s almost true. A little humor in times of crisis never hurt anyone. Don’t be so offended

He could have told the story about his kitchen fire. That would have been comforting.

 

[NealPageNJ]

This just gets worse by the minute. Heart goes out to the residents but how did these folks end up in charge. They drained an entire reservoir that flows into the hydrants because of environmental concerns? How does that work?

 

[nutfromSEC117]

 

[iReC89]

This just gets worse by the minute. Heart goes out to the residents but how did these folks end up in charge. They drained an entire reservoir that flows into the hydrants because of environmental concerns? How does that work?

lol
Chief: The city failed me because the reservoir was offline.
Also the Chief: I have no idea how the city system works.

 

[NealPageNJ]

lol
Chief: The city failed me because the reservoir was offline.
Also the Chief: I have no idea how the city system works.

I picked that up too but I don’t want to be too critical. How does the fire chief in a city as big as LA not know how the water gets to the fire hydrants? Even in small towns around here. I see fire companies check the working order of hydrants and the water system.

 

[Letitrip]

This just gets worse by the minute. Heart goes out to the residents but how did these folks end up in charge. They drained an entire reservoir that flows into the hydrants because of environmental concerns? How does that work?

Incredible interview - The best indication yet that the criticism posted on this board about the governments response and planning was 100% warranted. The dopes on this board that called that legitimate criticism "political" stay quiet next time. You are the ones obsessed by ideology.

 

[Caliknight]

This just gets worse by the minute. Heart goes out to the residents but how did these folks end up in charge. They drained an entire reservoir that flows into the hydrants because of environmental concerns? How does that work?

And there it is. That’s incredible. Good for her.

Cut that DEI position and there is $400K right there.

 

[NealPageNJ]

Incredible interview - The best indication yet that the criticism posted on this board about the governments response and planning was 100% warranted. The dopes on this board that called that legitimate criticism "political" stay quiet next time. You are the ones obsessed by ideology.

I tend to believe what we are seeing is the perfect storm of a terrible “act of god” and also totally incompetent leadership leading up to this and throughout the response. It would probably be impossible to avoid some damage given then winds. But there is a list of failures that someone eventually should be answering for.

 

[NealPageNJ]

And there it is. That’s incredible. Good for her.

Cut that DEI position and there is $400K right there.

There are some reporting the reservoir was drained because it was determined it had an adverse effect on a certain species of fish.

 

[Letitrip]

I tend to believe what we are seeing is the perfect storm of a terrible “act of god” and also totally incompetent leadership leading up to this and throughout the response. It would probably be impossible to avoid some damage given then winds. But there is a list of failures that someone eventually should be answering for.

Agree with this - as each day goes by and new facts comes out the level of incompetence grows. Not sure it was posted here yet but someone in the LA City administration send out not one, but two erroneous evacuation texts to over 10 million people in the middle of the night. And this is from one of the most taxed cities in the world - incredible