Duarte CERT receives regional Silver Award for Eaton Fire disaster‑recovery deployment

Diana Montano Garcia, disaster management area coordinator for Area D, and Brian Arizumi presented the California Emergency Service Association Southern Chapter Silver Award to members of the Duarte Community Emergency Response Team for their week-long deployment to Pasadena after the Eaton Fire.

Montano Garcia said the CERT volunteers ‘‘stepped up without hesitation’’ during the activation of a disaster resource center, helping families and directing residents to service stations. She described their tasks as crucial to streamlining recovery operations and reducing confusion at the center.

The presenters said the deployment was conducted at the request of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management through Area D mutual aid and involved multiple neighboring cities; Duarte contributed four CERT members to the operation. Montano Garcia specifically recognized Brian Arizumi for leading and coordinating the deployment.

Council members and staff thanked the CERT volunteers for recurring support at city events, parades and public-safety responses. The council accepted the award and posed for a recognition photograph; certificates and a plaque will be displayed in the public‑safety office.