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This is the view from my home in Claremont Canyon where I moved when I was working on a one-year contract as a lecturer in science education at nearby UC Berkeley. It inspires me every day and gives me perspective about what’s important. When I retired from the university in 2016, having seen firsthand the devastation from the 1991 fire that was stopped two houses uphill from mine, I became active in the wildfire prevention community. Carolyn Burgess reached out to involve me in the North Hills Community Association and then took me to a meeting of the Oakland Firesafe Council at Ken Benson’s home, chaired by Sue Piper. I never imagined that I would be its third president, am somewhat daunted by the challenge since I have so much to learn. One thing that I know for certain is that I want to follow their lead by welcoming the expertise and enthusiasm in our community, from veterans and newcomers alike; as Ken says, “We’re all in this together!” And I’m grateful that Doug Mosher has assumed the role of Vice Chair, that Michael Killian will continue as Treasurer, Ken Benson will serve as secretary, and that most of our current board members are continuing to serve.
OFSC has established relationships and partnerships with Oakland’s city government and elected officials, with some other cities and the county, and with several organizations that focus on their neighborhoods and broader areas. I’d like to expand our reach throughout Alameda County and to bring more organizations that share our goals for wildfire prevention and emergency preparedness into our thinking. I’ll work with our team to raise the funding we need to keep their invaluable education, outreach, and organizing moving forward.
~ Elizabeth Stage, January 2024
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