UPDATE: New Information Available on California Wildfire Relief For Members

After a week, the destructive California wildfires are still raging near Los Angeles and show no signs of slowing down.

Firefighters’ containment efforts are being further complicated by another round of high winds that are expected to pummel the area today.

Whether as first responders, victims of the devastation, or both, some of our SMART-TD members are experiencing this natural disaster firsthand.

With the number of destroyed structures from the Eaton and Palisades Fires currently sitting at more than 12,300, we expect to see the number of members who have lost their homes to the blaze continue to grow. 

How to request assistance from SMART-TD’s Disaster Relief Fund

In an initial effort to reach members who have been affected by the wildfires, SMART-TD shared information about the union’s Disaster Relief Fund last week.

As the long-term recovery and rebuilding process starts to slowly take shape, there are several important updates that we’d like to share.

First, SMART-TD is taking a two-tiered approach to the relief that’s available.  

• Tier 1: These funds are intended to provide immediate relief for those who have been ordered to evacuate and cover things related to temporary relocation, such as paying for hotels, food, and clothing. Members who would like to apply for Tier 1 relief are asked to contact their General Chairperson, Local Safety & Legislative Representative, or State Safety & Legislative Director.  
  You will be asked to provide your name, home address with verification that you were under an evacuation order (not the address of where you are temporarily located during the evacuation), phone number, e-mail address, and Zelle account information for fund distribution. If you do not have a Zelle account, you may provide the routing and account numbers for your bank account.
  

• Tier 2: These funds are dedicated to the recovery of lost property and long-term reimbursement needs once evaluation of the damage begins. Members who would like to apply for Tier 2 relief will need to complete the regular application for assistance upon being able to provide a verification of the damage to their home or property. Applications may be obtained by contacting your General Chairperson, Local Safety & Legislative Representative, or State Safety & Legislative Director. 

Click to verify if your home is in an area that was ordered to evacuate. ►

If you aren’t sure who your General Chair is, that information is available on the SMART App along with their contact information by clicking the arrow to the right of your local’s meeting date and location. If you do not have the app, your local officers will be able to get you in contact with your General Chair.  

Disaster Relief Fund Donations Welcome

As a reminder, we encourage those who are able to donate to the SMART-TD Disaster Relief Fund. Donations will go directly to those members who need it most, helping them and their families rebuild their lives and recover from this tragedy.

Contributions can be made payable to:

SMART-TD Disaster Relief Fund
6060 Rockside Woods Blvd., N
Suite 325
Independence, OH 44131

Please call the Transportation Division office at (216) 228-9400 with any questions regarding the Disaster Relief Fund.