“It sends a powerful message that the city, all the services, we stand united,” said Chief William “Billy” Peralta of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), a key beneficiary of the initiative. “When we have those united fronts that come together for a common goal, that’s leadership. That creates the environment that people want to follow every single day.”
He stressed that such collaboration has become essential. “The collaboration between community and private organizations and agencies is very important, in our sustainability and our operational effectiveness…. It was integral in us being successful as an organization.”
Providing Long-Term Support
California Rises is strategically focused on sustained, long-term efforts needed to achieve full recovery. Providing vehicle support has been practical and crucial to maintaining an active response to the crisis.
Speaking on past vehicle donations from Genesis, Chief Peralta highlighted the difference they made. “Receiving the donated Genesis vehicles allowed us, in a dynamic city like Los Angeles, to be more proactive, allowed us more mobility, and allowed us to support the citizens in all different ways, getting to and from emergencies, non-emergencies; logistical support.”
“The long-term support provides sustainability for us as an organization. The things that we don’t think of [are] the normal daily operations that take place after the incident. The events of Jan. 7, 2025, are events that have changed the LAFD, the city of Los Angeles and the residents of the Palisades forever.”
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