Michele Willer-Allred
The Ventura County Star (California)
LOS ANGELES — Fire department officials from both Ventura and Los Angeles counties received a standing ovation Monday night at the Simi Valley City Council meeting for their response to Friday’s Metrolink train crash in Chatsworth.
“Time after time, you all rise to the occasion,” said Councilman Glen Becerra to representatives from both county fire departments at the meeting. “It was a horrible tragedy, but our residents were in very competent hands.”
First responders were singled out for their efforts. “We know conditions were horrible, but you did your best,” Simi Valley Mayor Paul Miller said.
Before commendations were presented to representatives from both departments, the council observed a moment of silence for the 25 victims of the train collision. Later, the meeting was adjourned in memory of those who died, many of whom were residents of Simi Valley.
Councilman Steve Sojka said the victims and their families are in the thoughts of everyone in the community, which has come together in this time of tragedy. “Everyone in the city is available, willing and ready to help,” said Sojka.
Council members said those looking to start a memorial fund in honor of the victims may contact the Simi Valley Community Foundation for help at 526-3900. Those seeking emotional support were urged to contact the Simi Valley Police Department’s chaplain at 583-6950.
Ventura County Fire Department Chief Mike LaPlant said the response was immediate after the department received a call around 5 p.m. Friday for assistance at the crash site.
“We knew early on residents in Ventura County were involved, and we definitely wanted to participate,” LaPlant said.
LaPlant said once there, it became a well-coordinated rescue effort by both counties and it didn’t matter what county anyone worked in.
“The sole purpose of everyone there was to give those people the best chances of survival,” LaPlant said.
Councilwoman Barbra Williamson said the council toured the disaster site Saturday.
“I don’t know if words can describe what we saw there. I can’t imagine being a first responder (at the scene),” Williamson said. “I have so much respect for our police department, our firefighters, the people that were there saving lives. It was incredible.
"(The healing process) is going to take a while, though,” Williamson said.
Sojka, who also toured the site on Saturday, asked LaPlant what would have happened if the accident occurred inside the tunnel that links the train track from Chatsworth into Simi Valley. “The challenges would have been a hundredfold more difficult. We would have had a much higher fatality rate,” LaPlant said.
Copyright 2008, The Ventura County Star