School district recognized for efforts during Chimney Fire
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District recognized by American Red Cross
– Paso Robles Joint Unified School District was recognized recently at the California Wildfire Appreciation Event in San Luis Obispo. The event was hosted by the American Red Cross and honored partners throughout the community for their work during this past summer’s Chimney Fire.
During the Chimney Fire, Flamson Middle School in PRJUSD was used as a shelter for residents who had to evacuate their homes in the Lake Nacimiento area. The evacuation was put into effect at the same time that the school year was set to begin in August. “The team at PRJUSD overcame challenges when school started but stepped up to the plate to help people in the community and bent over backwards to really help us tremendously,” said Disaster Program Manager for the Red Cross Ryan McMahon.
“The partnership with the school district and the Red Cross was fantastic when the community needed them the most,” he said. “They took care of the small things which really made a difference.” In addition to the accommodations provided by the Red Cross, district and school personnel set up a movie theatre for families and also helped with pets who were brought to the shelter.
PRJUSD was represented at the ceremony by Director of Student Services Paul Press, and School Safety Officer Jason Taylor.