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Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in our General Membership Meeting on Saturday, March 14th. Below are highlights from our guest speakers, along with updates shared by our ORA President:
Guest Speaker Highlights – California Insurance & Wildfire Preparedness – Dystanie Flores
🏠 Insurance Basics
Know what your policy covers and review it regularly.
Make sure you’re not underinsured, especially after home upgrades.
Report improvements to your insurer so coverage stays accurate.
❌ If Your Insurance Is Non‑Renewed
Contact your insurance agent or broker right away.
Shop around — different insurers assess risk differently.
Ask specifically about manufactured/mobile home insurance.
If no traditional coverage is available, consider the California FAIR Plan.
🔥 California FAIR Plan (Last Resort Coverage)
Designed for homeowners who can’t get insurance elsewhere.
Covers fire and smoke damage.
Can be more expensive, but does insure basic fire coverage.
Many residents add a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy for extra protection
(liability, water damage, etc.)
🌲 Reduce Wildfire Risk at Home
Create defensible space by clearing dry vegetation and debris.
Keep roofs and gutters clean of leaves and pine needles.
Trim trees and brush near structures.
Consider ember‑resistant vents and other fire‑hardening upgrades.
⚠️ Avoid Insurance Scams
Be cautious of anyone who:
Guarantees insurance approval
Requests large cash payments upfront
Always verify that agents are licensed in California.
Use the California Department of Insurance (CDI) license lookup.
If something feels off, check before signing.
📞 Help & Resources for Residents
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) can help with:
Understanding policies
Claim and denial issues
Filing complaints
Finding coverage options
Call the CDI Consumer Hotline or visit insurance.ca.gov.
🏛️ Legislative Efforts Supporting Wildfire Recovery
Current bills under consideration:
AB 1795 – Smoke Damage Recovery Act
Clarifies and strengthens smoke damage coverage.
SB 876 – Disaster Recovery Reform Act
Streamlines disaster recovery and improves protections.
AB 1680 – Make It Fair Act
Addresses insurance availability and market stability.
These proposals aim to:
Strengthen consumer protections
Improve recovery timelines
Increase insurer accountability
Stabilize California’s insurance market
📊 Insurance Market Update
Over 140 insurance companies are licensed in California.
12 companies dominate the market; several paused or stopped coverage in recent years.
The Department of Insurance launched the Sustainable Insurance Strategy and Safer from Wildfires initiatives.
Early signs show insurers are starting to return to California.
Please visit the link below to rate the presentation by Dystanie Flores:
American Red Cross – Miriam Andino
Many people know the Red Cross for blood donations, but their work goes far beyond that. In fact, the Red Cross is approximately 90% volunteer‑run, with most services delivered by trained community members helping their own neighborhoods.
The Red Cross focuses on three key areas:
🔹 Preparedness
One‑on‑one education for residents on:
Wildfire preparedness
Emergency readiness for mobile home communities, where fires can spread more quickly
🔹 Response
24/7 Disaster Action Teams respond to local emergencies such as:
Home fires
Trees or vehicles impacting homes
Volunteers provide:
Comfort kits and blankets
Immediate financial assistance for displaced residents
🔹 Recovery
Support for residents after disasters, helping meet immediate needs and connect with additional resources
“Sound the Alarm” Event — April 25
The Red Cross will host a free home safety event focused on smoke alarms and fire preparedness.
✅ What’s Included
Free smoke alarm checks and installation
Specialty alarms available by request, including:
Bed‑shaker alarms for residents who are hard of hearing
Strobe‑light alarms for visual alerts
Wildfire preparedness information
⚠️ Specialty alarms must be requested in advance so they can be ordered and available.
🕙 Event Timing
Home visits: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Volunteers will be dispatched from Las Palmas Park (City of San Fernando)
Residents can sign up by calling the Red Cross directly (see number below)
If you’re not available on April 25, the Red Cross can schedule another visit
Volunteering Opportunities
The Red Cross welcomes community members who want to help.
Volunteer roles include:
Smoke alarm installation
Wildfire and home fire education
Disaster response (Disaster Action Team)
✅ Training is provided ✅ Volunteers must be 16 years or older ✅ Friends and family are welcome to participate
Long‑term volunteering is also available for those interested in responding to emergencies.
Wildfires, Shelters & Pets
During wildfires, the Red Cross opens evacuation shelters at community facilities (such as recreation centers). Shelters provide:
Meals and basic necessities
Disaster mental health support
Disaster health services (including medication assistance)
Information and next‑step resources
You don’t have to stay overnight to use shelter services—stopping in for food, information, or assistance is encouraged.
Pets
Pets are allowed at Red Cross shelters
Larger animals may be housed in separate designated areas
Red Cross partners with LA City and County Animal Services
Animal arrangements depend on the specific disaster
Residents are encouraged to monitor the Watch Duty app, which shows:
Emergency Contact Information
Red Cross 24‑Hour Disaster Dispatch Line:
📞 800‑675‑5799
Call this number if:
A home fire occurs
A resident is displaced
Immediate disaster assistance is needed (any time, day or night)
Additional Programs
Hands‑Only CPR training (non‑certification)
Covers essential life‑saving basics
Great for community awareness and readiness
ORA President Highlights – Wesley Maynez
🛡️ Fraud Awareness
DOJ brochures available on health care fraud prevention
Covers hospice scams, billing fraud, equipment fraud, and home‑visit scams
🔥 Wildfire & Community Safety
Wildfire water cannons will stay up all year
Emergency exit drill planned once road regrading is complete
Reflective road markers requested for safer evacuations
📶 Cell Service
Verizon exploring installation of a cell tower
Funding identified; location and timeline pending
🏠 New Homes
First new homes expected early next year
Utility installations must be completed first
Streets will be repaved after homes are placed
💧 Utility Discounts (DWP)
Apply through DWP, not Oak Ridge
Four discount categories available
Covers water, electricity, sanitation, and some medical equipment
Applications completed online:
🛠️ Maintenance & Improvements
Street resurfacing on hold (due to water cannon costs)
Pickleball court repainting on hold until fall
Dog parks will not reopen at this time
🚨 Fire Alarms & CO Detectors
Free smoke alarms and CO detectors available
Another installation visit scheduled once 20 homes sign up
Alarms expire after 10 years — residents encouraged to participate
Contact William Mejia (email ora.oakridge@gmail.com)
♻️ Synergy Energy Program
Services include duct checks, insulation, thermostats, and crossover ducts
Program temporarily paused due to permit issues
Warranty and corrective work continues forward
Program may resume under probation
Residents should report incomplete or skipped work
🍎 Community Support
30 food packages delivered to residents in need
“Dolly’s Delights” offers free food weekly (Space 117)
Anonymous $350 donation made to ORA
Fire Department donations accepted year‑round
👀 Neighborhood Watch
Volunteers needed (car, bike, or golf cart)
Only 3 residents signed up so far
LAPD Senior Lead Officers to attend a future meeting
