Apprentices from Tri-Counties Sheet Metal Workers JATC, along with labor and management representatives, spent the day helping a small community affected by the Thomas Fire.
Coordinator Brian Hill shared this about the community service project:
The fire cleanup work took place in a small, rural community near where the fire originated. The area lost six of its twelve homes. Primarily, we provided general community cleanup of downed trees to create better access for emergency vehicles, Southern California Edison electrical workers, and homeowners. We also worked on dirt roads that had collapsed where they crossed drainage. The plastic pipes melted, and the road collapsed. The community then built a temporary wooden support but that ended up burning a day or two later, so we made temporary repairs so they could access their water storage tanks.
On the same day, apprentices also volunteered at the Ventura Catholic Charities pantry nearby, distributing hygiene kits and meals to those in need.
