Sisters and Brothers,
There are a lot of things going on in probation. As one fire gets put out, two more start. We are addressing these issues. We will have more departmental information after next week to discuss with you.
(1) We are updating our communications systems. This will take several months to complete. Some of you have expressed that you are not receiving our 685 newsletters. If we don’t have your correct email, you will not receive our newsletter. We need your personal email address not your probation email address. Please complete the online form on our webpage. If we don’t have your information, we cannot communicate with you, so please complete the form.
(2) INSURANCE INFORMATION CARD: Please update your insurance information card. (THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COUNTY, THIS IS STRICTLY LOCAL 685.) You can get this information card from your local Steward; you can come by Union headquarters and request and complete one. In the event you die, Local 685 has an insurance policy of $14,000 for you to leave for your loved ones. There are no out of pocket expenses for this insurance. It comes from you being a 685 member. In the event you die, the listed beneficiary will receive the money. The insurance information card MUST be updated by March 31, 2025. If you have divorced or remarried, married, had a child, or you want to change your beneficiary, you must remove or add who you wish to leave the money to. If the information card is not updated, whoever’s name listed as beneficiary will receive the money. If there are no changes, no worries. No action required.
(3) General membership meetings are currently in person only. We are in the process of reviewing our options for both, in person and online. We want to reach and keep our sisters and brothers who can’t attend the meeting informed of whats going on in the Union and the department. We are moving close to making this a reality. Stand by.
(4) Our Stewards meetings are currently online only and not effective. We are in the process of reviewing our options for in person meetings only. The Stewards meeting will be in person for Stewards to be trained in defending our membership. This will include role play, teaching from our attorneys, and being updated on laws that affect our membership, including being updated on policy and procedures in probation. This will be ongoing training for our Stewards. When our Stewards represent our members, they will be well prepared, knowledgeable and know what they are doing. That’s not to imply that we are not equipped right now, but ongoing training builds confidence. When these changes are going to take place, we will inform you in the newsletter.
(5) A Local 685 App is being discussed. This will be an app on your phone where 685 can keep you informed. Faster than email. For example, let’s say a meeting has to be canceled for whatever reason, an alert will go off to inform you. Like the amber alerts, flash flood alerts etc. Stand by for that.
(6) Sisters and Brothers, there are a lot of meetings going on. There is the Board Of Supervisors meeting, the Probation Oversight meeting, meetings at Downey Headquarters, and many more. As President, I will not be at all of these meetings all the time. I will make sure we are represented by either an Executive Board member or someone from the rank and file. I have a lot to do. My workload is busy. So, if you don’t see me at a meeting, it does not mean you are not represented, because you are. I send letters and emails. I make phone calls and personal visits to those I need to visit on your behalf. STOP LISTENING TO GOSSIP. GOSSIP DOES US MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
(7) When attending Union meetings, come with positive energy. Come with solutions to problems. I would say that the meeting on February 13th was good. Good food, positive energy. Some concerns that were brought up are being addressed. Sure, there were a few snakes slithering around. We will always have that. Some people complain when it rains, when the sun shines, when the wind blows, no matter what, those people are never happy. Even though it was raining, we had a good crowd in numbers. Let’s keep this up. For those of you who called to make sure I made it home safely, THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU TOO.
FIRE RELIEF INFORMATION?
New Relief Grants Launching for Wildfire Victims
The Department of Consumer and Business Affairs is launching the LA County Household Relief Grant program for victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires. The online application opens Feb. 26 and closes March 12, 2025.
Eligible households can receive up to $18,000 based on household size and composition. The relief fund will distribute $32.2 million in financial assistance to wildfire survivors for housing costs, living expenses and funeral costs. Priority will be given to the most impacted households based on need, including insurance status, social and economic vulnerability, loss of life, health conditions, and other risk factors.
Right of Entry Form Submissions Continue to Climb
The new online Right of Entry form is now available for those opting into the government-sponsored debris removal program. If you have not yet submitted your opt-in form, please do so as soon as possible to take advantage of this debris removal program by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
The Army Corps of Engineers also has established a Debris Call Center to help answer questions regarding Phase 2 of debris removal. The hotline phone number is (213) 308-8305. Operators are available to help daily from 6 AM to 6:30 PM.
FEMA Relief
Residents seeking financial help after the devastation of the wildfires can request FEMA assistance here. The deadline to apply is March 10, 2025.
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