News Buf and Online Graphic are recongnized by blogosphere for Pepperdine fire coverage
Fire coverage dies down
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Showing posts with label Fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fire. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
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Graphic Fire Special Issue
While the wild fires were burning a group of editors from the Graphic produced this special section. To read more coverage and to see the photos in color check out on the Online Graphic.
Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton's e-mail to Alumni about Malibu Fire
From: President Benton [mailto:presidentbenton@pepperdine.edu]
Sent: Mon 10/29/2007 10:54 PM
To: *********
Subject: California Fires and the Pepperdine Community
Dear *****:
I have received many calls from Pepperdine University alumni inquiring about the well-being of our campus in the wake of the devastating fires that struck Southern California. I am grateful to be able to share with you that all of our campuses in Los Angeles and Orange counties are safe and secure.
Property damage at our Malibu campus was limited to a portion of a pool shack near the Baxter Drive swimming pool and three cars parked in the Theme Tower lot. The rest is merely landscaping. After missing two days of classes due to the closure of roads leading to and through Malibu, our students, faculty, and staff returned to the daily routines of higher education which, in less dramatic times, we might be tempted to take for granted. I am profoundly grateful to my administrative colleagues who prepared us so well; to the students, faculty, staff, and even vendors who responded so remarkably; and to the fire and law enforcement personnel who worked all hours, literally, to protect us so ably.
Due to Pepperdine's state-of-the-art emergency planning, instantaneous messages were sent to students, faculty, and staff, providing hour-by-hour updates on the status of the campus, roadways, and best practices for personal safety. We know our campuses well and we know how the physical plant will respond to extreme conditions.
The extended firebreaks around the Malibu campus worked precisely as intended. Although our planning historically has focused on earthquakes, heavy rain, and fire, we also think about other kinds of incidents that have befallen America's campuses and cities in recent years. We have established detailed plans for those contingencies as well.
Unfortunately, some members of the Pepperdine community who live off campus did suffer loss. The apartments of students Erin Chinen, Becca Thompson, [Editors Note: Becca Patterson's apartment was damaged] and Kailey Fullerton were damaged, and alumnus Dane Nielsen and faculty members Sonia Sorrell and Connie and Bernard James lost their homes.
Crises, in their own unique ways, do enable us with opportunities to serve. In that regard, our Malibu campus became a command center and a place to rest for Los Angeles County firefighters, while our on-campus reservoir provided water for aerial water drops. Pepperdine has also served as a meeting place for members of Malibu Presbyterian Church to gather in the aftermath of their church facilities burning to the ground.
Our prayers and support are with all of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors as they relocate or make plans to rebuild. Wherever you may live, we encourage you to join us in serving those throughout Southern California who are in need. If you are aware of members of the Pepperdine community who have been affected, we particularly ask that you provide us with details so that our wide network of alumni and friends can provide prayerful support.
In recent days I have heard inspiring accounts of Pepperdine people who have volunteered their homes, their time, and their labor to help others. We have seen everyday heroes working quietly, selflessly among us -- which is, in truth, precisely what we have come to expect from this marvelous University community, committed to strengthening lives for purpose, service, and leadership.
In closing, I would ask that you take a moment to write or e-mail me about those heroes -- especially those connected to Pepperdine University -- whom you have witnessed in action. I would enjoy the opportunity to hear your stories and share them with others.
Sincerely,
Andrew K. Benton
President
Pepperdine students in the news
If you or any students you know where quoted in the media regarding the fire please let me know so I can compile a list of links and quotes.
- Chris
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Editor & Publisher does story on Online Graphic
By Joe Strupp Published: October 23, 2007 4:05 PM ET NEW YORK When the wildfires raging throughout Southern California neared Pepperdine University in Malibu on Sunday, campus officials shut down servers used by all campus Web sites. Unfortunately, that included the Web site of Graphic, the student newspaper, creating a four-hour disruption when the paper was in the midst of covering the raging fire's impact on students, many of whom were being evacuated and seeking information about university events. "They just decided to do it, but they didn’t take into account that it would affect the newspaper Web site," said Editor-In-Chief Shannon Kelly. "They said they didn't do it on purpose."
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Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Malibu Times coverage of fire ends on a sweet note
Winds and anxieties seemed to have died down by the evening.
"There is ash still raining in the immediate vicinity, but the wind is not as strong as had been," said JB Bre, a member of Pepperdine's IT department who assisted the emergency response program.
Students received flashlights for cyclical blackouts and rested in the assurance that classes are cancelled tomorrow.
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Malibu 'Canyon Fire' video
Malibu fire
Video By: Star staff
10/21/07: A brushfire burning in the hills above Malibu has destroyed several homes and businesses in area.
Video by Anthony Plascencia, Chris Segal and John Scheibe
Students return to dorms, Monday classes cancelled
BY SHANNON KELLY
Editor In Chief
The Malibu fire is still zero percent contained and has burned more than 2000 acres, but students and staff have been told to return to their on-campus residences by Pepperdine’s emergency response team, according to the Emergency Operations Committee’s (EOC) associate vice president Rick Gibson.
Three homes and two commercial buildings have been confirmed destroyed and at least nine other residences have been damaged.
The structural loses include Malibu Presbyterian Church and Pepperdine faculty member, Connie James' house, which is close to the church. Flames also destroyed Malibu's famous Passion castle.
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Taking a break from the 'Canyon Fire'
John McEwen and some off his suitemates used the 45 minutes opportunity to grab books to grab a television and a Playstation and Halo. Situated outside the bookstore students are getting a much need diversion.
Fire on Pepperdine campus
BY CHRIS SEGAL
Director of Strategic Planning
“No structures have burned down, the fire went up to the TAC but did not touch it,” said University President Andrew K. Benton to students in the Cafe. “Everyone is being served food at once and everyone is being allowed 45 minutes to go back to their dorms to get some belongings and books.”
Classes are expected to be held tomorrow and there will be a prayer service at 11 a.m, said Benton.
Fire officials predict the fire may burn until Tuesday.
A fire started in the hills around Malibu just a few miles from Pepperdine’s Malibu campus early this morning. Around 7 a.m. students on campus were evacuated to the Tyler Campus Center and the Cafe.
Three cars are engulfed in flames in the Chapel parking lot, said students.
There is spot fire burning next to the TAC. Students have been evacuated from residential halls and asked to move to the Gym and the TCC, said Assistant Public Relations Director Wileen Wong in a statement.
“They have been telling us a good amount, but honestly I’ve been getting more from people getting text messages,” said sophomore John McEwen from the Café.
Malibu Presbyterian is fully engulfed in fire, according to fire officials.
The fire on campus will burn itself out, said Benton in an address to the students in the Cafe. Students have been given masks and are being told to remain in the Cafe and TCC.
Students in the Cafe are being served free food but no food has been sent to the Gym at this point.
Malibu residents reported that the palm trees in Ralphs shopping center are on fire.
Every table in the Cafe is full of students and more than 200 people are walking around, said Graphic News Editor Jane Lee.
A second emergency notifications through the Universities new system is being sent to students, faculty and staff advising “relocate to the Tyler Campus Center.”
Some students are walking into the Cafe crying and others got in their cars and left campus when the Resident Advisors came through the dorms, Lee said.
The fire is burning brush and structures a few miles north of Pepperdine, according to fire officials. There are high wind advisories with gusts of wind up to 80 mph. Malibu Canyon and Topanga Canyon roads are closed as well as Pacific Coast Higway from Kanan Dume Road to Topanga Canyon Road.
Heavy smoke can be seen from the Cafe and Public Safety officers are posted at various locations around the TCC. Students do not have access to televisions or the radio to listen to or watch the fire.
Malibu residents can evacuate to Zuma beach.
Updated at 10:11 a.m.
Fire update, named "Cayon Fire"
A fire started in the hills about Malibu just a few miles from Pepperdine’s Malibu campus early this morning. Around 7 a.m. students on campus were evacuated to the Tyler Campus Center and the Cafe.
Three cars are engulfed in flames in the Chapel parking lot, said students.
There is spot fire burning next to the TAC. Students have been evacuated from residential halls and asked to move to the Gym and the TCC, said Assistant Public Relations Director Wileen Wong in a statement.
“They have been telling us a good amount, but honestly I’ve been getting more from people getting text messages,” said sophomore John McEwen from the Café.
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