Vision in Action No. 44

Aug. 12, 2021 - Vision in Action No. 44 

The Dixie Fire, the largest wildfire in California history, is burning near Feather River College and Lassen Community College. Both colleges are serving their communities during this crisis by providing space, food and amenities for evacuees and helping ease stress and anxiety with puppy therapy. (Photos courtesy of Feather River College and Lassen Community College.)

FOUNDATION FOR CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RELAUNCHES RELIEF FUND FOR COLLEGES, STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF IMPACTED BY WILDFIRES

California’s single largest wildfire in recorded history continued to grow overnight, after burning more than 1,000 buildings – nearly half of them homes – in Butte, Lassen, Plumas and Tehama counties in the northern Sierra Nevada.

The Dixie Fire, which started July 14, now covers 783 square miles and is just 30% contained. The cause is under investigation.

This fire, along with others that have sparked recently across Northern California, are greatly affecting operations at several California community colleges, including Butte College, College of the Siskiyous, Feather River College, Lake Tahoe Community College and Lassen Community College. Students, staff and faculty at Feather River College and Lassen Community College are directly impacted by the fires, and colleges are opening their campuses to assist with emergency response and evacuation. 

To help, the Foundation for California Community Colleges has established a statewide fund that will help California Community Colleges students and staff recover from wildfires. Dollars will be used to help students overcome new barriers to education resulting from fires and displacement, including to replace essential supplies such as laptops, books, backpacks, and will provide emergency aid relief for the most deeply affected staff and faculty.

Funds will be distributed to college foundations providing emergency and recovery assistance to impacted individuals. Colleges will be awarded based on need, through a simple application process. 

DONATE HERE. 

For questions, please reach out to the Foundation.

“EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS” LEARNING MODULE HELPS COLLEGES PREPARE FOR ANY CRISIS

As California and other states in the west face devastating fires this summer, colleges are reminded that a crisis can happen at any time and preparation is critical. 

“When a crisis hits, it hits quickly. You are suddenly needing to make decisions with limited information,” Dr. Samia Yaqub, superintendent and president of the Butte-Glenn Community College District, explained in the Vision Resource Center learning module, “Emergency Preparedness.”

She and nine Butte College administrators shared the lessons they have learned responding to crises over the years, including the state’s deadliest and most destructive fire, the 2018 Camp Fire.  

The Emergency Preparation module is a robust series of conversations describing how different areas of an organization can prepare for any emergency. Topics include coordinating instruction, counseling, facilities, finances, instruction, instructional space, leadership, public information, risk management, student communications and student services.  

The tips and recommendations may reinforce what campuses are already doing, such as building a response team and practicing scenarios. Other recommendations might provide new ideas, such as:

• Create a list of experts at other colleges who can offer guidance in an emergency, as well as a list of experts on your campuses who have institutional knowledge. 
• Plan to create one central location for students, faculty, staff and the media to find the most current news and information, such as the college homepage. 
• Maintain a reserve fund and gain the authority to use it to ensure operations can continue during an emergency. 

To learn more about how to prepare for a crisis, log in to your college’s portal to the Vision Resource Center and search for the “Emergency Preparedness” learning module. You also can enter your college email address on the Vision Resource Center and you will be directed to your login page. If you don't have an account, you will be prompted to register with your college email.