Acting Commissioner Message On Wildfires

From: ^Commissioner Broadcast
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2018 8:27 AM
Subject: Wildfires in California

A Message to All SSA Employees 

Subject: Wildfires in California

You may have heard the news about wildfires in the northern California area.  These wildfires have burned more than 500,000 acres.  This natural disaster continues to devastate surrounding areas, affecting a number of our offices and employees.  The region has accounted for all employees and we are thankful that they are all safe. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security continue coordinating efforts with local officials to provide much needed assistance.  Area fire and police departments are working to contain the spreading wildfires that forced closures, evacuation orders, and damage to the Ferguson, Carr, Crestline, Highland, Ranch, and River areas.  Our offices in Lakeport, Redding, Sonora, Merced, and Ukiah are all at different stages of recovery. 

Many Redding employees are providing staff support at the Local Assistance Center at the Shasta High School and continue to serve the public.  Our employees are processing replacement Social Security card applications, providing benefit verifications, changing addresses, and answering benefit questions.

I want to give a special ‘thank you’ to all of the brave men and women who are working tirelessly to contain the fires.  Let us also remember and honor those that lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

I want to commend our personnel from the San Francisco Regional office and those who are on site assisting employees in recovery efforts.  Please keep all of those affected by these wildfires in your thoughts.

Nancy A. Berryhill
Acting Commissioner