Eaton Fire 2025 Deb Halberstadt and her husband, Jon Hainer, have been longtime residents of Altadena, a community they have loved and called home for decades. A seasoned news photographer, still photographer, and videographer, Deb built a career working for major outlets such as AP and NBC. Over the years, she developed strong relationships with …
Finding Peace During the Holidays The holiday season can be a magical time of year – filled with twinkling lights, family traditions, and the joy of giving. But let’s be honest, it’s also one of the busiest times. With so much going on, it’s easy to feel stretched thin, and the last thing anyone wants …
Facing the Flames: A Journey through Wildfire and Preparedness In 2020, nearly 200,000 acres were burned, and more than 100 structures were destroyed in the Dolan, Carmel, and River fires in Monterey County, California. My friend, Author Meredith May, and her wife, Jenn, a retired Police LT, were among those who had to evacuate as …
Discover the Story Behind Carmel’s Journey to Preparedness and Resilience I am honored to be featured in this article highlighting the incredible work of Carmel Prepares! https://ci.carmel.ca.us/carmel-prepares It’s a testament to the power of community and collaboration. Inspired by the trailblazers at Bainbridge Prepares, we’re dedicated to building resilience through disaster preparedness, community response, and …
A Journey of Preparedness As a country girl at heart, there’s nothing that brings me more joy than slipping into my boots, donning my blue jeans, and sitting up against a fire in the fireplace warming my back. I love to share stories with family and friends while relishing every moment. But amidst the …
A Route to Car Travel Preparedness With the holidays just around the corner, you might have travel plans that will take you on the road. Much like a journey abroad, setting out on a holiday road trip during this special season demands careful planning, and unwavering preparedness. Every year, we witness stories on the news …
The Essence of National Preparedness Month: Why It Matters As September winds to a close, National Preparedness Month concludes, leaving us with more than just checklists and emergency plans. It leaves us with an awareness of something profound, our vulnerability and desire for security. National Preparedness Month often conjures images of meticulously organized disaster kits, …
A Guide to Traveling Abroad – Summer Adventure Awaits! Traveling to another country is an exhilarating experience, filled with new sights, sounds, and flavors. It’s an opportunity to immerse ourselves in different cultures, broaden our horizons, and create lifelong memories. While the excitement of exploring foreign lands is undeniable, it’s essential to remember the importance …
Wildfire Preparedness: Keeping you and your home safe Wildfires are a destructive force of nature that can cause immense harm to people, property, animals, and the environment. As the summer months approach, it’s important to prepare for wildfires and take the necessary steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Preparing for wildfire season …
Organization – It’s What Marie Kondo and VLES Have in Common A place for everything, and everything in its place…it makes operating in an emergency fast, efficient and less stressful. When we designed the VLES GO-bag we drew heavily on our experience and other first responder’s experience. The simple takeaway was to make sure everything …