Celebrating

Celebrating Pathways to Success
25th Annual
Productivity and Quality Awards
Top Ten Award Winner
The Coordinated Agency Recovery Effort
Department of Public Works with Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department
In fall 2009, massive wildfires ravaged the Angeles National Forest, including the Station Fire which
spread to become the biggest wildfire in the County’s history. In the aftermath, Public Works raced
to repair damaged facilities and prepare for a resulting new threat — storm season’s mudslides and
debris flows.
As the lead agency in disaster recovery efforts, the Department developed the Coordinated Agency Recovery
Effort (C.A.R.E.) using the combined talents of communications specialists from many agencies, including
the Sheriff and Fire Departments. C.A.R.E. became one of the most comprehensive outreach campaigns
in the County’s history. Its mission was to keep civic officials, residents, and the media fully apprised
of fire recovery efforts, flood control/debris flow preparations, storm-related mountain road closures, and
emergency response with timely and factual information.
As a result, there was extensive and supportive media coverage of activities throughout the winter season,
and, most importantly, no loss of life or injuries and little property damage despite several severe storm
events. With its proactive approach to media and community outreach, C.A.R.E. set the standard for County
communications efforts in the future.
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