WEBVTT 00:01.809 --> 00:03.753 All right , ladies and gentlemen , 00:03.753 --> 00:05.976 distinguished guests and members of the 00:05.976 --> 00:08.031 Palisades community . Good afternoon 00:08.031 --> 00:10.198 and thank you for being here . Welcome 00:10.198 --> 00:12.142 to today's event marking the final 00:12.142 --> 00:14.880 private property debris removal project 00:14.880 --> 00:17.047 and substantial mission completion for 00:17.047 --> 00:19.213 the Southern California debris mission 00:19.213 --> 00:21.213 for the United States Army Corps of 00:21.213 --> 00:21.049 Engineers . I'm Lieutenant Colonel 00:21.049 --> 00:23.160 David Wert . I'll serve as the master 00:23.160 --> 00:25.049 of ceremonies for today , and I'm 00:25.049 --> 00:27.216 currently in the recovery Field Office 00:27.216 --> 00:29.382 commander for the Corps , the Corps of 00:29.382 --> 00:31.271 Engineers mission here . It's our 00:31.271 --> 00:33.382 privilege to host the event and thank 00:33.382 --> 00:32.569 you to the West family for their 00:32.569 --> 00:34.740 partnership for today . It's certainly 00:34.740 --> 00:36.907 fitting that this last house was owned 00:36.907 --> 00:39.184 and occupied by a retired Army officer . 00:39.184 --> 00:41.830 Thank you , sir . For 250 years , the 00:41.830 --> 00:43.941 United States Army Corps of Engineers 00:43.941 --> 00:45.997 has served our country by delivering 00:45.997 --> 00:48.163 vital engineering solutions to some of 00:48.163 --> 00:50.219 the nation's toughest problems . The 00:50.219 --> 00:52.330 effort and mission here in the cliffs 00:52.330 --> 00:54.552 of the Palisades in the foothills of LA 00:54.552 --> 00:56.441 Mountains was certainly a complex 00:56.441 --> 00:58.441 challenge . Initiated by tremendous 00:58.441 --> 01:00.386 strategy and loss . Along with our 01:00.386 --> 01:02.441 federal , state , local partners and 01:02.441 --> 01:04.552 community members , we accomplished a 01:04.552 --> 01:06.608 truly unprecedented feat in terms of 01:06.608 --> 01:08.719 the volume and speed of this recovery 01:08.719 --> 01:10.886 effort . Here in the Pacific Palisades 01:10.886 --> 01:12.886 and Malibu community , our engineer 01:12.886 --> 01:15.569 teams , safety crews , and skilled 01:15.569 --> 01:17.849 contractors tackled steep slopes , 01:18.050 --> 01:20.129 strong winds , and harsh terrain on 01:20.129 --> 01:23.540 multiple project sites . The hundreds 01:23.540 --> 01:25.940 of USA volunteer quality assurance 01:25.940 --> 01:28.940 members spent countless hours embracing 01:28.940 --> 01:31.162 homeowners in the time of need by being 01:31.162 --> 01:33.162 a small part of closure and healing 01:33.162 --> 01:35.680 process . Our issue resolution of 01:35.680 --> 01:37.402 public outreach teams embedded 01:37.402 --> 01:39.513 themselves in community organizations 01:39.513 --> 01:41.402 to educate and inform and support 01:41.402 --> 01:43.750 homeowners throughout the process . We 01:43.750 --> 01:45.806 met the governor's goal of reopening 01:45.806 --> 01:47.639 the Pacific Coast Highway before 01:47.639 --> 01:49.750 Memorial Day . Along with our ECC and 01:49.750 --> 01:51.861 subcontractor partners , we were able 01:51.861 --> 01:54.083 to safely reuse material to restore the 01:54.083 --> 01:56.306 Temesco Canyon Canyon Road and reopened 01:56.306 --> 01:58.470 it ahead of schedule . The 01:58.470 --> 02:00.581 accomplishments here were a true team 02:00.581 --> 02:02.581 effort worthy of remembering and to 02:02.581 --> 02:04.581 take stock of . To capture the true 02:04.581 --> 02:06.526 historic nature of this mission at 02:06.526 --> 02:08.303 today's event , I would like to 02:08.303 --> 02:10.359 introduce Brigadier General Jonathan 02:10.359 --> 02:12.248 Lloyd , commander of the Corps of 02:12.248 --> 02:14.414 Engineers Southern Pacific Division to 02:14.414 --> 02:17.940 the stage , sir . So . 02:20.240 --> 02:22.240 Well , good afternoon , everybody . 02:22.240 --> 02:24.860 How's everyone doing ? OK , we can do 02:24.860 --> 02:27.529 better than that . How's everybody 02:27.529 --> 02:31.050 doing ? OK , that's better . Hey , uh , 02:31.059 --> 02:33.880 Truth and lending , uh , I have been 02:33.880 --> 02:36.470 out in California for all of 2 weeks . 02:36.619 --> 02:39.339 Uh , I , I am on my 2nd command with 02:39.339 --> 02:41.561 the US Army Corps of Engineers . I just 02:41.561 --> 02:43.783 got done , uh , and finished command of 02:43.783 --> 02:46.259 the North Atlantic Division over the 02:46.259 --> 02:49.020 past 3 years , uh , in Brooklyn , New 02:49.020 --> 02:51.131 York , where I was headquartered . So 02:51.131 --> 02:53.131 I've been in California for about 2 02:53.131 --> 02:55.298 weeks . This is really the first event 02:55.298 --> 02:57.187 that I've done . Uh , interesting 02:57.187 --> 02:59.409 enough , before , uh , we started , the 02:59.409 --> 03:01.464 public affairs officer came up to me 03:01.464 --> 03:03.576 and said , Hey sir , good luck . So I 03:03.576 --> 03:05.687 don't know what that means , uh , but 03:05.687 --> 03:07.798 I'm here . Uh , Congressman Sherman , 03:07.798 --> 03:09.909 uh , members of Mayor Bass's office , 03:09.909 --> 03:12.779 Supervisor Horvath , Mr . Toya , Mr . 03:12.789 --> 03:15.179 Owen , members of the West family , sir . 03:15.610 --> 03:18.250 Uh , and many others from the Palisades 03:18.250 --> 03:20.610 community members , uh , and the US 03:20.610 --> 03:22.777 Army Corps of Engineer teammates along 03:22.777 --> 03:24.888 with so many others that are out here 03:25.089 --> 03:27.449 today . Good afternoon and thank you 03:27.449 --> 03:29.369 for joining us to celebrate an 03:29.369 --> 03:31.889 important milestone . Today we are 03:31.889 --> 03:33.979 beginning debris removal on the last 03:33.979 --> 03:36.146 private property assigned to the Corps 03:36.146 --> 03:38.240 of Engineers in the Palisades fire 03:38.240 --> 03:40.369 impact area and in fact the last 03:40.369 --> 03:43.059 residential parcel remaining for both 03:43.059 --> 03:45.610 fires . We know how much you have 03:45.610 --> 03:48.050 endured since January 7th of this year 03:48.050 --> 03:50.529 when a fire began that would destroy 03:50.529 --> 03:53.850 large areas of Pacific Palisades . This 03:53.850 --> 03:56.210 area is known for beautiful landscapes 03:56.210 --> 03:59.009 and ocean views in the iconic Pacific 03:59.009 --> 04:01.970 Coast Highway . They are also known for 04:01.970 --> 04:04.081 close knit communities where families 04:04.081 --> 04:06.520 lived , worked and played for 04:06.520 --> 04:09.529 generations . You have deep , deep ties 04:09.529 --> 04:12.039 to this beautiful place . It has been 04:12.039 --> 04:13.869 the US Army Corps of Engineers 04:13.869 --> 04:16.269 privilege to be on the ground helping 04:16.269 --> 04:18.399 to enable the community's recovery 04:18.399 --> 04:21.119 efforts with expert technical skill and 04:21.119 --> 04:24.230 compassion . We're grateful for your 04:24.230 --> 04:26.119 patience as we work through these 04:26.119 --> 04:28.429 challenges , allowing us to ensure that 04:28.429 --> 04:30.959 from the very first time , or very 04:30.959 --> 04:33.015 first to the very last property , we 04:33.015 --> 04:35.589 were able to do so safely and complete 04:35.589 --> 04:38.820 this mission . To date , you say along 04:38.820 --> 04:41.260 with our contractor teammates removed 04:41.260 --> 04:44.299 more than 1.1 million tons of debris 04:44.299 --> 04:46.739 and cleared more than 4000 properties 04:46.739 --> 04:49.049 across the Palisades fire footprint , 04:49.260 --> 04:51.940 marking the fastest , the fastest 04:51.940 --> 04:55.239 debris removal mission in UAE's history 04:55.510 --> 04:57.630 with an outstanding safety record , 04:58.420 --> 05:00.779 something to be extremely proud of to 05:00.779 --> 05:03.570 all of you . And across the two fire 05:03.570 --> 05:06.010 areas we've removed more than 2.5 05:06.010 --> 05:08.570 million tons of debris and nearly 05:08.570 --> 05:11.450 10,000 residential properties . This 05:11.450 --> 05:13.339 historic work would not have been 05:13.339 --> 05:15.339 possible without the support of our 05:15.339 --> 05:17.339 partners from FEMA , the California 05:17.339 --> 05:20.049 Office of Emergency Services , City of 05:20.049 --> 05:23.970 LA , LA County , and of course , as no 05:23.970 --> 05:25.803 one would forget , the community 05:25.803 --> 05:28.049 members from the Pacific Palisades to 05:28.049 --> 05:30.410 Altadena . I want to especially 05:30.410 --> 05:32.899 recognize all of the first responders 05:33.190 --> 05:35.510 and our own efficient debris crews who 05:35.510 --> 05:37.910 have worked tirelessly and served 05:37.910 --> 05:40.429 almost every single day since debris 05:40.429 --> 05:43.809 removal work began in February . While 05:43.809 --> 05:46.600 today marks an ending for the US Army 05:46.600 --> 05:48.890 Corps of Engineers , the last private 05:48.890 --> 05:51.057 property where we will complete debris 05:51.057 --> 05:53.001 removal , it is more importantly a 05:53.001 --> 05:55.290 beginning for the West family and all 05:55.290 --> 05:58.890 of the community . Members that they 05:58.890 --> 06:01.839 represent . Each cleared lot represents 06:01.839 --> 06:04.640 a fresh start . While we cannot replace 06:04.640 --> 06:07.059 your homes , we can help your community 06:07.059 --> 06:09.540 start a new chapter . To all of the 06:09.540 --> 06:11.762 families who were affected by this fire 06:11.762 --> 06:13.596 and the cleanup efforts , we are 06:13.596 --> 06:15.596 grateful for your patience and your 06:15.596 --> 06:17.820 trust for the past few months , and we 06:17.820 --> 06:20.100 are extremely proud to have delivered 06:20.100 --> 06:23.679 this mission for you and with you . So , 06:23.799 --> 06:25.966 uh , my public affairs folks will hate 06:25.966 --> 06:28.188 this . I'm going to go off script for a 06:28.188 --> 06:30.355 little bit for you , which , uh , most 06:30.355 --> 06:32.577 of you will hate . And Congressman , if 06:32.577 --> 06:34.799 you'll indulge me for a minute . Uh , a 06:34.799 --> 06:36.743 little over a year ago on the East 06:36.743 --> 06:38.521 Coast I was responsible for the 06:38.521 --> 06:40.410 recovery of the Francis Scott Key 06:40.410 --> 06:42.589 Bridge collapse , uh , and we all 06:42.589 --> 06:45.380 watched that , uh , when it happened 06:45.589 --> 06:47.811 and then we watched from the East Coast 06:47.910 --> 06:50.850 as the fires broke out here , uh , in 06:50.850 --> 06:53.790 California again , uh , with our hearts 06:53.790 --> 06:55.901 and thoughts and prayers going out to 06:55.901 --> 06:58.989 both communities . But so what I would 06:58.989 --> 07:01.156 want to tell you right and for the the 07:01.156 --> 07:04.029 media who's gonna come in and hit me up 07:04.029 --> 07:06.549 afterwards , this is what success looks 07:06.549 --> 07:09.859 like this is what success in both times 07:10.070 --> 07:12.126 that I've seen in my experience with 07:12.126 --> 07:14.237 the US Army Corps of Engineers you've 07:14.237 --> 07:17.230 got partnership . Is the key to the 07:17.230 --> 07:19.989 playbook you've got communities willing 07:19.989 --> 07:23.149 to partner you've got local agencies 07:23.149 --> 07:25.371 willing to partner . You've got federal 07:25.371 --> 07:28.709 agencies working hard to partner and 07:28.709 --> 07:31.760 all coming together on a day like today 07:31.989 --> 07:34.190 to say , hey , this was historic we've 07:34.190 --> 07:37.070 never seen a faster debris clean up in 07:37.070 --> 07:39.559 USA's history . And , and certainly 07:39.559 --> 07:41.726 I've only been on the ground 2 weeks , 07:41.726 --> 07:43.910 but watching this far , I could not be 07:43.910 --> 07:47.480 any more prouder of this team , of this 07:47.480 --> 07:49.630 team , and especially the community 07:49.839 --> 07:51.959 who's endured so much . Thank you all 07:51.959 --> 07:54.126 and I look forward to working with all 07:54.126 --> 07:55.403 of you in the future . 08:12.739 --> 08:15.059 Hello , I'm Brad Sherman , uh , from 08:15.059 --> 08:18.250 America's best name city , Sherman Oaks . 08:19.480 --> 08:21.702 And for many years I've represented the 08:21.702 --> 08:23.910 San Fernando Valley and more recently 08:23.910 --> 08:25.966 parts of the West Side in the United 08:25.966 --> 08:28.119 States Congress . And it is a 08:28.119 --> 08:30.008 particular honor to represent the 08:30.008 --> 08:33.049 Pacific Palisades in Washington . The 08:33.049 --> 08:35.849 losses suffered by the Pacific 08:35.849 --> 08:39.318 Palisades fire . That began on January 08:39.318 --> 08:42.039 7th is known to all of us here . 08:43.010 --> 08:44.788 It's important to remember that 08:44.788 --> 08:47.210 residents like Irwin and Nolan West , 08:47.690 --> 08:50.900 whose home stood here . Well , what we 08:50.900 --> 08:54.369 call debris was once a sanctuary , 08:54.900 --> 08:57.700 a neighborhood , and cherished mementos 08:57.700 --> 09:01.590 of lives well lived . But what do we 09:01.590 --> 09:03.646 do in the face of such devastation ? 09:04.840 --> 09:06.896 It's not just government and elected 09:06.896 --> 09:09.062 officials , but all of us need to come 09:09.062 --> 09:11.099 together to rebuild the palisades , 09:11.270 --> 09:15.270 palisades strong . Now , what I hear 09:15.270 --> 09:18.109 mostly from residents is we want to 09:18.109 --> 09:21.820 rebuild quickly . And that is why we 09:21.820 --> 09:24.299 are here to celebrate government 09:24.299 --> 09:27.099 actually doing something well ahead of 09:27.099 --> 09:30.119 schedule . Some 1 09:30.119 --> 09:33.469 million tons . That means over 09:33.469 --> 09:37.159 2 billion pounds of debris was 09:37.159 --> 09:39.960 removed . First , the most toxic 09:39.960 --> 09:42.760 materials by the EPA and then the rest 09:42.760 --> 09:45.229 by contractors working with the Army 09:45.229 --> 09:48.479 Corps of Engineers . And I've been up 09:48.479 --> 09:51.289 here often , seeing the debris removal 09:51.289 --> 09:54.200 at one step or another . And I noticed 09:54.200 --> 09:57.130 that while we have dozens of people 09:57.130 --> 10:00.500 here . It is literally thousands of 10:00.500 --> 10:04.020 people who did the work , particularly 10:04.020 --> 10:07.140 immigrants who have come to our state . 10:07.840 --> 10:11.700 And who uh are uh certainly represented 10:11.700 --> 10:14.559 among those first to remove the debris 10:14.900 --> 10:17.460 and then who will rebuild the lives and 10:17.460 --> 10:21.460 the homes here . $2.5 10:21.460 --> 10:23.419 billion has been spent on debris 10:23.419 --> 10:25.700 removal . The federal government has 10:25.700 --> 10:28.099 provided $1.5 billion for firefighting 10:28.099 --> 10:30.859 costs and $3 billion in loans , but 10:30.859 --> 10:33.049 frankly , we need to do a lot more 10:33.489 --> 10:35.609 because of the size of the economic 10:35.609 --> 10:39.059 loss occasioned by these fires . That's 10:39.059 --> 10:41.419 why I'm going back to Washington in the 10:41.419 --> 10:42.919 hope to get a supplemental 10:42.919 --> 10:45.380 appropriation . To provide more 10:45.380 --> 10:48.090 benefits to those particularly who are 10:48.090 --> 10:51.289 not adequately insured and of course my 10:51.289 --> 10:53.530 office stands ready to help with any 10:53.530 --> 10:57.090 bureaucratic difficulties one has in 10:57.090 --> 10:59.201 getting the benefits that are already 10:59.201 --> 11:02.000 provided by existing law . I want to 11:02.000 --> 11:04.111 thank the Army Corps of Engineers for 11:04.111 --> 11:06.729 completing this work . Several months 11:06.729 --> 11:09.400 ahead of schedule . And uh one of the 11:09.400 --> 11:11.400 neat things that I get to do , uh , 11:11.400 --> 11:13.622 General , I wonder if you could come on 11:13.622 --> 11:15.844 back up . One of the neat things that I 11:15.844 --> 11:18.067 get to do as a member of Congress is to 11:18.067 --> 11:20.011 get a flag that has flown over the 11:20.011 --> 11:22.590 Capitol in Washington DC and give it to 11:22.590 --> 11:24.423 an organization that has been of 11:24.423 --> 11:26.534 outstanding service to us here in the 11:26.534 --> 11:28.900 Pacific Palisades . General , I'd like 11:28.900 --> 11:31.233 to give you this flag . Thank you , sir . 11:31.233 --> 11:34.599 Thank you . In general , it is a just 11:34.599 --> 11:36.932 in case there's some skeptics out there , 11:36.932 --> 11:39.155 it is also accompanied by a certificate 11:39.155 --> 11:41.210 of authenticity . I didn't just pick 11:41.210 --> 11:43.432 this up at Target on my way over here . 11:44.400 --> 11:46.760 Thank you . 2 weeks already getting 11:46.760 --> 11:49.400 awards . We expect great things . Thank 11:49.400 --> 11:51.640 you . I'll call up the next speaker . 11:59.770 --> 12:01.937 Good afternoon . I'm Lindsay Horvath , 12:01.937 --> 12:04.103 the supervisor for the 3rd district of 12:04.103 --> 12:06.440 Los Angeles County County , and honored 12:06.440 --> 12:08.570 to be of service to this community , 12:08.849 --> 12:10.969 especially at a time such as this . I 12:10.969 --> 12:13.250 want to thank Lieutenant Colonel Wert 12:13.250 --> 12:15.417 and all of our partners at the US Army 12:15.417 --> 12:18.409 Corps of Engineers for your outstanding 12:18.409 --> 12:20.719 partnership and collaboration to get us 12:20.719 --> 12:23.289 to this moment . This truly is in a 12:23.289 --> 12:26.250 moment of pride for Los Angeles County 12:26.489 --> 12:29.369 while we also know that it is a 12:29.369 --> 12:31.409 continued effort to mend the hearts 12:31.409 --> 12:33.409 that have been broken and the lives 12:33.409 --> 12:35.619 that must be rebuilt . Together with 12:35.619 --> 12:37.770 the US Army Corps of Engineers , we 12:37.770 --> 12:39.937 have completed debris removal from the 12:39.937 --> 12:42.450 Palisades fire . What was expected to 12:42.450 --> 12:45.330 take more than 2 years was finished in 12:45.330 --> 12:48.559 just 7 months . That speed is 12:48.559 --> 12:51.609 extraordinary , but this milestone is 12:51.609 --> 12:54.289 about more than speed . It's about 12:54.289 --> 12:57.630 partnership and compassion . And a 12:57.630 --> 13:00.349 shared commitment to walk the road of 13:00.349 --> 13:02.909 recovery with our community until the 13:02.909 --> 13:05.539 very end . I especially want to thank 13:05.539 --> 13:07.989 the US Army Corps of Engineers for 13:07.989 --> 13:10.710 their dedication and care as well as 13:10.710 --> 13:12.710 our own county Department of Public 13:12.710 --> 13:15.270 Works who worked with urgency and 13:15.270 --> 13:18.590 empathy for every property owner and 13:18.590 --> 13:22.169 continues to do so . Recovery is not 13:22.169 --> 13:25.440 only about clearing debris , it is 13:25.440 --> 13:28.969 about healing , it's about safety it's 13:28.969 --> 13:31.210 about ensuring our communities have the 13:31.210 --> 13:34.130 tools to rebuild the places that make 13:34.130 --> 13:36.500 them strong and make them special . 13:37.409 --> 13:40.539 Just last week , we stood with the YMCA 13:40.890 --> 13:43.530 to celebrate how recovery restores the 13:43.530 --> 13:46.530 spaces where neighbors gather , where 13:46.530 --> 13:49.809 families grow , and where community is 13:49.809 --> 13:53.159 created . Yesterday I had the privilege 13:53.159 --> 13:55.770 of visiting the Smart Local 105 13:55.770 --> 13:58.530 training center where folks are being 13:58.530 --> 14:00.570 trained on home and fire hardening 14:00.570 --> 14:04.260 practices . On remediation which we 14:04.260 --> 14:06.371 know is needed for homes that may not 14:06.371 --> 14:08.427 have been destroyed by the fires but 14:08.427 --> 14:10.538 certainly still need help and so much 14:10.538 --> 14:12.369 more work that needs to be done 14:13.219 --> 14:16.700 clearing every property along PCH is an 14:16.700 --> 14:19.099 important chapter in our journey , but 14:19.099 --> 14:22.020 it is not the end of this story . We 14:22.020 --> 14:24.659 have homes to rebuild , we have good 14:24.659 --> 14:27.700 jobs to create we have communities to 14:27.700 --> 14:31.539 restore and to uplift . We are 14:31.539 --> 14:35.530 invested in full long term recovery 14:35.530 --> 14:39.049 of the Pacific Palisades of Malibu , 14:39.419 --> 14:42.250 Sunset Mesa , Big Rock , 14:42.739 --> 14:45.979 Topanga and every neighborhood that has 14:45.979 --> 14:49.299 been devastated by these fires . Every 14:49.299 --> 14:52.669 milestone like today turns devastation 14:52.940 --> 14:56.260 into the dawn of a fresh start , and we 14:56.260 --> 14:59.049 will continue to move forward together . 15:00.109 --> 15:02.549 And now I'd like to welcome up Mr . 15:02.559 --> 15:04.400 Hiro Toya from FEMA . 15:13.890 --> 15:16.001 Uh , good afternoon . My name is Hiro 15:16.001 --> 15:17.668 Toya . I'm the , uh , federal 15:17.668 --> 15:19.723 coordinating officer for the Federal 15:19.723 --> 15:21.946 Emergency Management Agency , or FEMA . 15:21.946 --> 15:24.112 Today marks a significant milestone in 15:24.112 --> 15:26.112 the historic Palisade fire recovery 15:26.112 --> 15:28.190 effort . The beginning of debris 15:28.190 --> 15:30.510 clearance from the initial from the 15:30.510 --> 15:32.732 final property signifies the conclusion 15:32.869 --> 15:34.909 of the fastest debris operation in 15:34.909 --> 15:38.059 modern history . This achievement 15:38.059 --> 15:39.670 reflects the strength of our 15:39.670 --> 15:42.219 partnerships and dedication of the 15:42.219 --> 15:44.940 collective team with the US EPA , the 15:44.940 --> 15:47.349 US Army Corps of Engineers , California 15:47.349 --> 15:49.859 Office of Emergency Services , Los 15:49.859 --> 15:52.099 Angeles County , the city of Los 15:52.099 --> 15:54.659 Angeles , and the city of Malibu , as 15:54.659 --> 15:56.770 well as many other communities in the 15:56.770 --> 15:59.979 area . While this marks a major step 15:59.979 --> 16:02.099 forward in recovery , there's still 16:02.099 --> 16:05.109 work left to do . FEMA will continue to 16:05.109 --> 16:07.809 do to work with this community and our 16:07.809 --> 16:10.679 partners to ensure its recovery . Our 16:10.679 --> 16:12.679 individual assistance specialists , 16:12.679 --> 16:14.790 volunteer organization coordinators . 16:15.330 --> 16:17.552 And public assistance teams continue to 16:17.552 --> 16:19.552 work for this community every day . 16:21.049 --> 16:23.609 From the outset we prioritized face to 16:23.609 --> 16:25.609 face engagement through recovery 16:25.609 --> 16:28.760 centers , community meetings and on 16:28.760 --> 16:31.038 site walkthroughs with property owners . 16:31.679 --> 16:33.599 This included hundreds of public 16:33.599 --> 16:35.766 meetings supported by our partners and 16:35.766 --> 16:38.669 community leaders . We prioritize these 16:38.669 --> 16:41.030 engagements so that residents 16:41.030 --> 16:43.141 understood the scope of the federally 16:43.141 --> 16:45.308 supported debris removal program . Had 16:45.308 --> 16:47.363 the opportunity to ask questions and 16:47.363 --> 16:50.539 voice concerns . Throughout our 16:50.539 --> 16:52.761 operations , government representatives 16:52.761 --> 16:55.419 were present on every parcel during the 16:55.419 --> 16:57.308 bris removal to ensure contractor 16:57.308 --> 16:59.363 compliance apply quality standards . 17:00.770 --> 17:02.890 For this operation , we brought in 17:02.890 --> 17:04.599 experts who worked on other 17:04.599 --> 17:07.709 catastrophic fires . Like those in 17:07.709 --> 17:10.449 Paradise and Lahaina . This allowed us 17:10.449 --> 17:12.505 to leverage all of our institutional 17:12.505 --> 17:14.609 knowledge and move as quickly and as 17:14.609 --> 17:17.979 safely as possible . While today's 17:17.979 --> 17:20.257 milestone is an important step forward , 17:20.420 --> 17:22.780 it does not signify full recovery for 17:22.780 --> 17:25.900 the community . Much work remains to 17:25.900 --> 17:28.140 make this community whole and FEMA 17:28.140 --> 17:31.709 stands ready to continue our role . We 17:31.709 --> 17:33.431 thank all the partners for the 17:33.431 --> 17:35.542 collective effort and most of all the 17:35.542 --> 17:37.653 residents of Palisades and Malibu and 17:37.653 --> 17:39.765 across the Los Angeles area for their 17:39.765 --> 17:41.987 patience , resilience and collaboration 17:41.987 --> 17:44.153 throughout the process . Together , we 17:44.153 --> 17:46.320 are moving closer to rebuilding one of 17:46.320 --> 17:48.542 the great communities of California and 17:48.542 --> 17:50.869 the United States . With that I'd like 17:50.869 --> 17:53.750 to call up my colleague partner and 17:53.750 --> 17:56.319 friend from COS Eli Owen . 18:08.640 --> 18:11.250 Good afternoon . My name is Eli Owen . 18:11.260 --> 18:13.482 I'm the assistant director for recovery 18:13.482 --> 18:15.704 operations and also the alternate state 18:15.704 --> 18:18.229 coordinating officer for this event . I 18:18.229 --> 18:20.979 have some prepared remarks . Today is a 18:20.979 --> 18:23.239 momentous day for our community and a 18:23.239 --> 18:25.461 significant milestone in our recovery . 18:25.790 --> 18:27.957 We are beginning debris removal at the 18:27.957 --> 18:29.901 very last property affected by the 18:29.901 --> 18:32.068 Palisades fire . Mr . West , thank you 18:32.068 --> 18:34.290 for your hospitality and having us here 18:34.290 --> 18:36.949 today . This isn't just a step forward 18:36.949 --> 18:39.069 for us , it's a historic achievement 18:39.069 --> 18:40.750 for our nation . What we have 18:40.750 --> 18:42.806 accomplished together is the fastest 18:42.806 --> 18:44.949 debris removal like effort ever , as 18:44.949 --> 18:47.290 we've heard . This demonstrates what is 18:47.290 --> 18:49.457 possible when urgency , teamwork , and 18:49.457 --> 18:51.401 compassion are at the heart of our 18:51.401 --> 18:54.130 actions . Clearing debris is the most 18:54.130 --> 18:57.130 vital phase of disaster recovery . It's 18:57.130 --> 18:59.241 the moment when we move from what was 18:59.241 --> 19:02.540 lost to what can be rebuilt . It allows 19:02.540 --> 19:04.762 families to take the first steps toward 19:04.762 --> 19:06.818 long term recovery and reclaim their 19:06.818 --> 19:09.729 lives . This incredible feat would not 19:09.729 --> 19:11.451 have been possible without the 19:11.451 --> 19:14.020 expertise , coordination and dedication 19:14.020 --> 19:17.189 of so many partners . I want to extend 19:17.189 --> 19:19.829 extend my heartfelt thank you to FEMA 19:19.829 --> 19:23.390 FCOOIA Regional Administrator Bob 19:23.390 --> 19:26.239 Fenton . The US Army Corps of Engineers , 19:26.930 --> 19:29.041 the Environmental Protection Agency , 19:29.089 --> 19:30.811 and CAEPA for their unwavering 19:30.811 --> 19:33.719 commitment to this mission . I also 19:33.719 --> 19:35.830 wanna recognize supervisor Lindsay Ho 19:35.830 --> 19:38.800 Ho Horvath , excuse me , ma'am . In Los 19:38.800 --> 19:40.578 Angeles County for their strong 19:40.578 --> 19:42.744 leadership and constant support of the 19:42.744 --> 19:45.640 Pacific Palisades residents . My 19:45.640 --> 19:48.199 gratitude also goes out to leaders from 19:48.199 --> 19:50.255 Los Angeles and Malibu , Congressman 19:50.255 --> 19:52.680 Sherman , Councilwoman Parks . 19:54.310 --> 19:56.349 Who stood firm firmly with their 19:56.349 --> 19:58.910 communities and their experience and 19:58.910 --> 20:01.550 guidance throughout this effort . This 20:01.550 --> 20:03.550 work proves that when all levels of 20:03.550 --> 20:05.390 government unite behind a shared 20:05.390 --> 20:08.579 purpose , we can deliver real results 20:08.579 --> 20:11.780 for the people we serve . I must also 20:11.780 --> 20:13.780 acknowledge Governor Gavin Newsom's 20:13.780 --> 20:16.002 leadership from the very beginning , he 20:16.002 --> 20:18.609 emphasized the critical need for speed 20:18.609 --> 20:21.369 and coordination . His leadership 20:21.369 --> 20:23.369 unified state , local , and federal 20:23.369 --> 20:26.239 partners into a single cohesive mission 20:26.650 --> 20:29.170 ensuring that resources authority and 20:29.170 --> 20:31.281 support were available from day one . 20:32.380 --> 20:34.547 But the real force behind this success 20:34.547 --> 20:37.319 is the people . The men and women in 20:37.319 --> 20:39.319 the field and those supporting them 20:39.319 --> 20:41.263 behind the scenes and today in the 20:41.263 --> 20:45.250 yellow orange vests . I also want to 20:45.250 --> 20:47.361 point out the CallowES staff who work 20:47.361 --> 20:50.130 tirelessly , not just to meet deadlines . 20:50.829 --> 20:53.162 But to meet the needs of every survivor . 20:54.380 --> 20:56.491 The same is true for all our partners 20:56.491 --> 20:58.824 at every level of government . For them , 20:58.949 --> 21:01.319 this wasn't just an assignment . It was 21:01.319 --> 21:03.349 a personal commitment to helping 21:03.349 --> 21:05.640 families and communities rebuild their 21:05.640 --> 21:09.400 lives . Debris removal is more than 21:09.400 --> 21:11.719 just hauling away material , it's about 21:11.719 --> 21:13.386 clearing the way for hope and 21:13.386 --> 21:17.219 possibility to take root again . Every 21:17.219 --> 21:19.540 truckload of debris marked progress 21:19.540 --> 21:22.180 toward renewal . And every completed 21:22.180 --> 21:24.780 property represented another family 21:24.780 --> 21:28.469 ready to move forward . As we 21:28.469 --> 21:30.525 stand here today , let us remember . 21:30.969 --> 21:33.080 That recovery doesn't end with debris 21:33.080 --> 21:36.560 removal . It begins here and because of 21:36.560 --> 21:38.671 the dedication of everyone involved . 21:39.459 --> 21:41.681 This community is starting that journey 21:41.681 --> 21:44.939 sooner and with greater strength . On 21:44.939 --> 21:47.660 behalf of CallowES , thank you for your 21:47.660 --> 21:50.180 hard work , your resilience , and your 21:50.180 --> 21:52.347 belief what we can accomplish together 21:52.699 --> 21:54.921 when we stand together . Thank you very 21:54.921 --> 21:57.032 much . And now it will be my pleasure 21:57.032 --> 21:58.921 to introduce Councilwoman Parks . 22:15.329 --> 22:19.199 Um , when I arrived 22:19.209 --> 22:22.969 in the Palisades on the morning of 22:22.969 --> 22:26.339 January 8th , Nothing 22:26.810 --> 22:30.420 could have prepared me . My eyes 22:30.619 --> 22:33.569 or my heart . For what I would see . 22:35.229 --> 22:37.790 Throughout the afternoon and the 22:37.790 --> 22:40.709 evening before , I had witnessed much 22:40.709 --> 22:44.280 with my own eyes . And I had heard from 22:44.280 --> 22:48.160 our first responders , phrases that 22:48.160 --> 22:51.359 started as widespread losses . 22:52.109 --> 22:55.910 And multiple homes lost . That morphed 22:55.910 --> 22:59.310 into statements of life saving 22:59.310 --> 23:02.130 efforts only and total 23:02.390 --> 23:06.359 devastation . But seeing it that first 23:06.369 --> 23:09.910 morning after . The air sick 23:09.910 --> 23:13.689 with smoke , fires still burning all 23:13.689 --> 23:17.310 around . The remnants of Christmas 23:17.310 --> 23:20.540 decorations clinging to what was left 23:20.540 --> 23:23.589 of one of the most beautiful , special 23:23.589 --> 23:27.250 places in all of Los Angeles . The 23:27.250 --> 23:29.530 sounds of alarms chirping , the acrid 23:29.530 --> 23:33.020 smell of burned cars and electronics , 23:33.329 --> 23:36.849 the images of chimneys rising like 23:36.849 --> 23:40.489 gravestones through the ash . When I 23:40.489 --> 23:43.609 looked around on that first morning . I 23:43.609 --> 23:47.329 wondered how on earth we were 23:47.329 --> 23:50.619 ever going to get it cleaned up . Where 23:50.619 --> 23:53.810 would we start ? Where would we get the 23:53.810 --> 23:56.859 help ? Who would do the work ? 23:57.989 --> 24:00.900 How would we even come up with a plan ? 24:02.599 --> 24:06.380 But then Thanks to FEMA and the 24:06.380 --> 24:09.579 Army Corps of Engineers , help rolled 24:09.579 --> 24:13.300 in to Los Angeles . From those 24:13.300 --> 24:15.579 first days on the ground , the Army 24:15.579 --> 24:18.569 Corps provided more than just bodies , 24:18.819 --> 24:22.219 equipment , expertise , and 24:22.219 --> 24:25.849 leadership . They provided reassurance 24:25.849 --> 24:28.449 to a devastated community with their 24:28.449 --> 24:31.609 ubiquitous presence in every community 24:31.609 --> 24:35.050 meeting . Sometimes having to deliver 24:35.050 --> 24:38.729 news that was hard to hear . But just 24:38.729 --> 24:42.650 as often . Giving hugs , offering 24:42.650 --> 24:45.660 advice . And sometimes sifting through 24:45.660 --> 24:49.060 debris for lost personal items or 24:49.060 --> 24:52.209 sitting down for one on one coffees 24:52.619 --> 24:55.050 just to talk one reluctant neighbor 24:55.599 --> 24:58.550 into participating in the program so 24:58.550 --> 25:00.606 they could clear an entire street at 25:00.606 --> 25:03.949 once . When we said goodbye to Colonel 25:03.949 --> 25:06.589 Eric Swenson in council chambers , I 25:06.589 --> 25:10.469 joked about his ability to manage my 25:10.469 --> 25:13.979 endless to do list at the same time , 25:14.310 --> 25:17.030 he made every resident feel as though 25:17.030 --> 25:19.229 they were his top priority . 25:20.760 --> 25:23.160 Because of his extraordinary leadership 25:23.160 --> 25:25.329 and the superb efforts of Lieutenant 25:25.329 --> 25:27.800 Colonel Jeff Palazzini and General John 25:27.800 --> 25:31.479 Lloyd and all of the men and women who 25:31.479 --> 25:34.439 have worked every single one of the 25:34.439 --> 25:37.829 231 days since the fire , 25:38.479 --> 25:40.257 we've arrived at this important 25:40.257 --> 25:42.640 milestone , clearing out this final 25:42.640 --> 25:46.359 last participating property . But this 25:46.359 --> 25:49.310 moment is so much about so much more 25:49.800 --> 25:53.189 than just one last pile of rubble . The 25:53.189 --> 25:55.939 work of the Army Corps cleared the way 25:55.939 --> 25:59.459 for healing physically . And 25:59.459 --> 26:02.819 emotionally . And gave our community . 26:04.000 --> 26:07.880 The foundation To start over . 26:10.420 --> 26:13.579 I am so incredibly proud . 26:14.719 --> 26:18.030 And grateful For what you've done . 26:18.930 --> 26:22.729 We are seeing new homes springing up 26:23.099 --> 26:27.000 all over . Neighbors who 26:27.000 --> 26:29.790 a month ago were standing in front of 26:29.790 --> 26:33.479 burned out lots . are making their 26:33.479 --> 26:37.050 plans for the future . And with every 26:37.050 --> 26:40.380 one of those steps forward . We're 26:40.380 --> 26:43.229 moving closer to a full recovery . 26:44.790 --> 26:46.734 Unlike the others that have spoken 26:46.734 --> 26:50.510 today , this moment is a testament . 26:51.650 --> 26:53.872 To what we can achieve when communities 26:53.872 --> 26:56.890 and government pull together . So on 26:56.890 --> 26:59.489 behalf of the Pacific Palisades and 26:59.489 --> 27:03.290 Council District 11 and a very grateful 27:03.290 --> 27:06.689 city of Los Angeles , I want to extend 27:06.689 --> 27:09.420 our deepest gratitude to the Army Corps , 27:09.689 --> 27:12.170 their crews , and to everyone who made 27:12.170 --> 27:15.160 this unprecedented effort possible . 27:15.989 --> 27:19.869 And now , it is my honor to get 27:19.869 --> 27:22.920 to introduce my constituent . 27:23.790 --> 27:27.530 Noland West . The final homeowner to 27:27.530 --> 27:29.641 have their property cleared in the US 27:29.641 --> 27:32.560 Army Corps program . Thank you so much . 27:45.599 --> 27:46.599 In 28:01.380 --> 28:05.339 Hello , everyone . How can I put 28:05.339 --> 28:09.239 it ? I did this . I did not expect 28:09.239 --> 28:12.069 to be here . But here we are . 28:14.079 --> 28:17.819 And I want to say that The Army 28:17.819 --> 28:19.729 Corps of Engineers , thank you , 28:19.739 --> 28:22.939 fellows , from the heart . He did a 28:22.939 --> 28:26.849 magnificent job . And now we can get 28:26.849 --> 28:30.489 on with planning to rebuild our 28:30.489 --> 28:34.079 house . You know , 5 of these 28:34.079 --> 28:37.880 houses along here were designed and 28:37.880 --> 28:40.599 built by my younger brother . 28:41.619 --> 28:45.469 5 houses He passed 28:45.469 --> 28:48.430 away 10 years ago . I sure wish he was 28:48.430 --> 28:49.069 here now . 28:52.010 --> 28:55.180 But we have , we have good plans . 28:56.420 --> 28:59.930 I would not want to live anywhere else . 29:00.930 --> 29:04.609 When our houses burned down . I lost my 29:04.609 --> 29:07.199 house . I lost my brother's house . 29:08.449 --> 29:10.727 I got away with the clothes on my back . 29:10.727 --> 29:14.079 That was it . We've been living in 29:14.079 --> 29:16.739 hotels ever since . Till we finally 29:16.739 --> 29:17.906 found an apartment . 29:21.260 --> 29:23.316 Uh , there's nothing to describe the 29:23.316 --> 29:26.089 feeling . It was heart wrenching . 29:27.800 --> 29:30.660 I miss my house in the worst way . 29:32.420 --> 29:34.753 And thank you to the corps of engineers . 29:35.949 --> 29:38.500 Thanks for clearing this place up . 29:39.069 --> 29:41.239 You've done a marvelous job , fellas . 29:42.250 --> 29:45.560 I really appreciate it . So from the 29:45.560 --> 29:49.280 heart Thank you , thank you very much . 30:18.260 --> 30:20.482 I know it's been said , but I just want 30:20.482 --> 30:22.204 to take a very brief moment to 30:22.204 --> 30:24.329 recognize all of the men and women in 30:24.329 --> 30:26.609 the red shirts that are the UCA 30:26.609 --> 30:28.220 emergency operation shirts . 30:30.910 --> 30:32.688 Unlike , unlike the ones in the 30:32.688 --> 30:34.688 fatigues , they volunteered to come 30:34.688 --> 30:36.854 here to lead their families throughout 30:36.854 --> 30:39.021 the mission , and I this day would not 30:39.021 --> 30:41.299 be possible without ECC's partnerships , 30:41.299 --> 30:43.410 and I'd like to thank them for making 30:43.410 --> 30:45.577 today possible and for their technical 30:45.577 --> 30:47.521 expertise since January . Please . 30:52.859 --> 30:55.137 Thank you again to Congressman Sherman , 30:55.137 --> 30:56.970 members of Mayor Bass's office , 30:56.970 --> 30:59.060 supervisor Horvath , Mr . Toya , Eli 30:59.060 --> 31:01.339 Owen , and Councilwoman Park for 31:01.339 --> 31:04.160 attending . Uh , thank you to the West 31:04.160 --> 31:06.216 family again for your partnership in 31:06.216 --> 31:08.569 hospitality . This concludes today's 31:08.569 --> 31:10.780 events . US Army Corps representatives 31:10.780 --> 31:12.947 will be on site to help you off , uh , 31:12.947 --> 31:14.890 safely . We'll be standing by if 31:14.890 --> 31:17.189 there's any interview requests . I 31:17.189 --> 31:19.022 would like to invite the invited 31:19.022 --> 31:21.189 speakers to come back to this backdrop 31:21.189 --> 31:25.130 for a brief photo op . Be all you 31:25.130 --> 31:28.369 can be building strong palisade strong 31:28.369 --> 31:29.479 thank you again for coming .