College Updates

Dear PCC Community:

Each day that PCC is open, serving our students and meeting the needs of our community, we are helping our region along the journey to recovery. 

As the disaster moves into different phases, our assistance continues to evolve. This week we have expanded our support. We will continue to provide you with updates and reminders.

• Childcare: PCC is partnering with the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and the Pasadena Unified School District to offer free childcare for children of essential workers, first responders, and families who have been impacted by the local fires, including PCC students, faculty, and staff. Registration is required.

• PCC students, faculty, and staff registration. 
• PUSD and community member registration.
  
  
• Recovery Center: We are supporting the work of local, state, and federal disaster relief agencies by hosting a Local Assistance and Disaster Recovery Center at PCC’s Community Education Center, at 3035 E. Foothill Boulevard. The center is now open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sponsored by LA County Recovers, the Local Assistance and Disaster Recovery Center offers residents an opportunity to access agencies such as FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD), and the Department of Insurance, the Pasadena City College SBDC (Small Business Development Center), as well as non-profit organizations. For a list of Los Angeles County and state agencies represented, and for more information, please visit the LA County Recovers website.

• Wind Advisory and Safety Updates: Strong winds are forecasted for Wednesday. We are continuing to monitor wind conditions to ensure everyone’s safety. If you haven’t already, please sign up for PCC emergency alerts for real-time updates and regularly check your PCC email.

• Fire Updates Website: For additional updates and resources, please visit pasadena.edu/fireupdates. This page will continue to be updated regularly to provide the most current information

Every day I am grateful for the compassionate, innovative, and resourceful ways we are showing up for each other. Let’s continue to take care of ourselves and each other. 

Warmly,
José

For information about PCC’s response to the local fires, visit pasadena.edu/fireupdates.
To support PCC community members impacted by the disaster, visit pasadena.edu/firerelief.
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José A. Gómez, Ph.D.
Superintendent-President

Dear Colleagues:

As we continue navigating our response to the Eaton fire and other local fires, we are reaching out to ask for your support in ensuring the health and safety of our campus environment. Together, we can maintain a safe and welcoming space for everyone in our community.

To help us achieve this, please note the following:

• Air Purifiers: It is essential to keep the air purifiers in your offices and areas plugged in and operational. These devices operate with an integrated system that rapidly responds and adjusts based on the air quality in the room, maintaining hospital-level air quality in our facilities. To maximize their effectiveness:

• Do not prop open doors, as this allows outside air to enter and disrupts the purifiers’ ability to maintain optimal air quality.
• Air purifiers are District-owned equipment and must remain on campus to ensure all spaces are covered.
• Masks and Water Bottles: While our campus is outside the unsafe water zones identified by the City of Pasadena, and local air quality is currently at a good level, masks and water bottles are available to employees who need them in the G Building.
• Facilities Support: Facilities staff and trained debris mitigation personnel continue their work across our campuses to address ongoing needs. If you experience any facilities issues, please email fireupdates@pasadena.edu, and we will respond promptly.

We sincerely appreciate your partnership, patience, and understanding, especially as our facilities staff continue their efforts to restore and maintain our campus. Thank you for your care and cooperation as we navigate this challenging moment together. 

Thank you,

PCC Emergency Operations Center Team

fireupdates@pasadena.edu

Dear Colleagues: 

With the impact of the recent local fires, we understand the challenges and emotional strain many of you may be facing. Your well-being is our highest priority, and we want to ensure you have access to the support and resources you need during this time.

To help our community navigate these difficulties, we have created dedicated mental health services and drop-in community support spaces where PCC community members can connect, share, and heal together. We are sharing information about them again below.

Mental Health Support

Employee Assistance Program counselors will host on-campus group sessions for employees covering mental health and crisis management, with one-on-one follow-ups available. Group sessions will be held in Circadian (CC Room 130) at the following times, and more dates will be available. 

• Monday, January 13: 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 15: 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, January 17: 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Community Support Spaces

We are also hosting drop-in community support spaces in Cap & Gown, CC Room 129, on Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for anyone seeking comfort and connection.

For additional updates and resources, please visit pasadena.edu/fireupdates. This page will continue to be updated regularly to provide the most current information. We have also created a new email address, fireupdates@pasadena.edu, where any questions can be directed.

 Dear PCC Community: 

As we prepare to reopen our campuses tomorrow, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation. In the face of immense challenges, our PCC community has shown extraordinary compassion, strength, and resilience. It’s been inspiring to see how we’ve come together to support one another and the wider community during this difficult time.

I would like to again thank our Incident Management Team, our Facilities staff, and the many volunteers who have been working all week and this weekend to support our college’s emergency response, recovery, and community relief efforts. 

Reopening our campuses is a significant step forward, and we are committed to making this transition as smooth and supportive as possible for everyone. Below, you’ll find important updates and resources to help us move forward together:

Campus Reopening
PCC’s Colorado, Foothill, and Jefferson campuses will reopen for in-person classes and activities on Monday. Faculty and staff who are unable to return due to fire-related impacts should contact their dean or supervisor to discuss accommodations. Human Resources will share details tomorrow about temporary emergency programs for payroll advancements and leave options. We understand many are facing significant challenges, and we will work through this together. 

Recovery Support
If you are a PCC student, faculty, or staff member affected by the fires, please complete the PCC Fire Recovery Needs Assessment Form so we can better assist you. PCC staff have been reaching out via phone and email to impacted college community members so the college can work to provide tailored support to meet your needs. 

Campus Preparations
Professional debris mitigation efforts are underway to diligently prepare our campuses for Monday, including power washing, the servicing of air purifiers, and the deployment of air scrubbing machines. If you experience any facilities issues in your areas upon your return, please email fireupdates@pasadena.edu.

Water and Masks
Water bottles and masks have been distributed to academic offices across our campuses, and additional water and masks are available in the G Building for administrative offices. While our campuses are outside the unsafe water zones identified by the City of Pasadena, these resources are available to anyone who needs them.

Technology
PCC faculty and staff who need technology support as a result of the evacuations or fires, including loaner laptops or Wi-Fi hotspots, please contact the ITS Help Desk for assistance at 626-585-7523 or helpdesk@pasadena.edu. Students who need assistance can visit the Shatford Library for support.

Free Meals
Free meals will be provided in the Piazza (CC Building) for PCC students, faculty, and staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. World Central Kitchen will also offer meals for those impacted by the fires, including the public, Monday through Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. in Lot 3.

Counseling and Support
Students who need mental health support can reach out to the office of Mental Health and Wellness Services or can access after-hours assistance by calling 626-585-7273 and pressing 9. 

Employee Assistance Program counselors will host on-campus group sessions for employees covering mental health and crisis management, with one-on-one follow-ups available. Group sessions will be held in Circadian (CC Room 130) at the following times:

Monday, January 13: 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 15: 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, January 17: 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

We are also hosting community support spaces in Cap & Gown, CC Room 129, on Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for anyone seeking comfort and connection.

These are just some of the resources we have available for our students, faculty, and staff who have been impacted by the fires.

For additional updates and resources, please visit pasadena.edu/fireupdates. This page will continue to be updated regularly to provide the most current information. We have also created a new email address, fireupdates@pasadena.edu, where any questions can be directed. 

Please continue to check your PCC email regularly and often, and please sign up for PCC emergency alerts to ensure that you receive up to date information. 

Thank you for your strength, compassion, and dedication to our PCC family and community. Together, we will move forward, supporting one another every step of the way. Please take care of yourselves and reach out if you need help – we are here for you.

Sincerely,

José

For information about PCC’s response to the local fires, visit pasadena.edu/fireupdates.
To support PCC community members impacted by the disaster, visit pasadena.edu/firerelief.

--

José A. Gómez, Ph.D.
Superintendent-President

Dear Faculty:

I am writing with updates regarding the fire’s impacts on our community. I hope you and your loved ones are all safe and as well as can be during this traumatic time. 

I have been working closely with PCC’s Incident Management Team and am amazed by the work and preparations being undertaken by this group on behalf of the college community. I have some important information you will need going into Monday and throughout this week. It is vital that we work together to lift up our students, lend a hand to our colleagues, and together help see the college and our students and fellow faculty and staff through this difficult time.

First and foremost, I am so grateful for the vast empathy shown to those impacted—I have seen so much kindness and generosity on display on our campus these past few days, and I know in the days ahead, we will all be grateful for the continued empathy from our colleagues and community. 

If you have needs during this time, please fill out the PCC Fire Recovery Needs Assessment Form.

For those Teaching in Winter:

If you’re teaching this winter, be on the lookout for an email from your dean or reach out to them as soon as possible if you have difficulty returning to class. Please check the Schedule of Classes for the latest class location information. Classroom location changes may continue to occur, so please be on the lookout. Your flexibility is much appreciated.

Admissions and Records is working on roster drops, so please keep reading your messages from that office. Here is a link to an email that was sent to students, so you know what they have been directed to do. You can also find important information and resources for students on the PCC fire updates website.

Technology Needs:

If your district-issued laptop was damaged/destroyed, or if you need a temporary loaner device because your laptop/computer is not accessible, please reach out to the ITS Help Desk for a replacement or loaner device. The ITS Help Desk is located in LL120 on the first floor of the Library Building. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Walk-ins are welcome, but it would be helpful to reach out via email or phone ahead of time so we can prepare a replacement/loaner device for you before you arrive.

• Phone: (626) 585-7523
• Email:  helpdesk@pasadena.edu

If you are aware of PCC students who need a replacement/loaner device, please direct them to the Shatford Library.

Free Hot Meals for all Students, Staff, and Faculty

Free meals will be available in the Piazza in the Campus Center (CC Building) for PCC students, faculty, and staff from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. World Central Kitchen will also be offering meals from 3 to 8 p.m. for the PCC community and the public impacted by the fire today (Sunday) through Wednesday. 

Supporting our Colleagues

For those who have been displaced from their homes, returning to campus tomorrow may be impossible. These colleagues are facing huge obstacles as they provide for themselves and their families. Please stay in touch with them, learn more about what needs they have, and share the resources provided below so they can get support. 

Representatives from the Anthem Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will be sending campus counselors to host on-campus group counseling sessions that will cover mental health, self-care, and crisis management resources. The visit will begin with a group session for 20 minutes and then employees will have the opportunity to meet on a one-on-one basis with the Anthem EAP counselor. More dates will be available.

• Monday, January 13, 2025, 11:30a.m. to 2:00p.m.
• Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, January 17, 2025, 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• All Group Sessions will be in the Circadian (Building CC Room 130)

Other Resources Available

The College is maintaining links to helpful information on the college’s website, pasadena.edu/fireupdates. Please refer to links on this page as you provide guidance to students and colleagues who may need to know what to do.

In solidarity and strength,

The Academic Senate Executive Team (Lindsey, Amy, Chris, Carmen, and Jeff)

#DENAStrong

Dear PCC Community:

In the aftermath of the Eaton Fire and other local fires, I am filled with immense gratitude and awe for the generosity, resilience, and selflessness of our PCC family. The strength and compassion demonstrated by our staff, students, and faculty during this challenging time is nothing short of inspiring.

More than 20 nursing students, recent graduates, and faculty have stepped forward and are volunteering their time and expertise to support relief efforts at the city’s evacuation center at the Pasadena Convention Center. Their dedication to caring for others exemplifies the heart of our community.

Additionally, dozens of volunteers from across PCC have been working tirelessly to prepare our campuses for a safe reopening on Monday. From delivering water bottles and masks, cleaning the air in buildings, and servicing air purifiers to power washing campus spaces, their efforts ensure a safe environment for all of us.

Parking Lot 3 on our Colorado campus has been transformed into a community relief hub, offering critical support for so many in our community who are in need. Hundreds of volunteers from PCC, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, the Pasadena Unified School District, the Young 9 Foundation, the Rotary Club of Pasadena, and people from across the region have been helping sort donations and distribute essential supplies like food, water, and clothing to thousands of our neighbors who have lost their homes or been affected by the fires over the last several days. The Pasadena Humane Society is also using part of Lot 3 to provide relief and support for pets and pet owners in the community. 

PCC staff volunteers have been reaching out to students, faculty, and staff impacted by the fires, offering comfort, resources, and assistance. If you have been personally affected by the fires and have not yet shared your needs, I encourage you to fill out the PCC Fire Recovery Needs Assessment Form. We are working to coordinate resources, financial assistance, and employee leave programs to support everyone impacted. Please know that we are committed to helping our community recover and rebuild, and we will share more information about available resources soon.

Finally, Los Angeles County will be hosting a community meeting in the Hutto-Patterson Gym on our Colorado campus tomorrow (Sunday) at 4 p.m. to provide updates on the Eaton Fire, address questions, and discuss recovery. The meeting will be streamed live on the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s YouTube channel. If you would like to submit questions, you can send them in advance via email to 2025.eaton@firenet.gov. 

We are closely monitoring air quality and other conditions as we prepare for the week ahead. Your safety and well-being remain our top priority, and we will keep you updated on any developments.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our community’s response in this difficult time. Your generosity and selflessness embody the very best of PCC, and I am honored to be part of this incredible family.

Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones, and stay safe. Together, we will find a way forward.

With heartfelt thanks,

José

For information about PCC’s response to the local fires, visit pasadena.edu/fireupdates.
To support PCC community members impacted by the disaster, visit pasadena.edu/firerelief.

--

José A. Gómez, Ph.D.
Superintendent-President

Dear PCC Family:

During challenging moments like this, our resilience as a community shines through. I want to express my deep gratitude for the strength, compassion, and selflessness that our PCC family has shown during this difficult time.

The devastation caused by the local fires has deeply impacted many in our community, yet I am inspired by how we have come together—not just to support one another, but to step up for our neighbors and the wider community in this time of need. Preparing to return to campus is an important step in ensuring that PCC can continue to be a source of stability, care, and opportunity for our students and the community we serve. Now more than ever, our community is counting on us.

Given the needs of our students and community, we are actively preparing for the transition back to our campuses on Monday, mindful of the challenges many are facing. Our goal is to provide a smooth return while extending grace and understanding to our students, faculty, and staff who have been most affected. For those who need support, we are here to listen, to help, and to adapt as needed.

I would like to personally thank our Incident Management Team, our Facilities staff, and the many volunteers who have been working all week and this weekend to support our college’s emergency response, recovery, and community relief efforts. As this week draws to a close, I want to share information that will help us prepare for next week. 

Opening Campus and Classes: As we continue to serve our community and students, we are planning for PCC campuses (Colorado, Foothill, Jefferson) to be open and for in-person classes to resume on Monday, January 13. Faculty and staff who cannot return to in-person work due to fire-related impacts can contact their dean or supervisor to discuss their needs and available options. We understand many are facing significant challenges, and we will work through this together. 

Each day we are learning more about the deep impact of the wildfires on our community. If you are a PCC student, faculty, or staff member who needs assistance following the fires, we are here to help you. Please fill out the PCC Fire Recovery Needs Assessment Form to help us understand your needs. 

Campus Preparations: We are working with professional debris mitigation personnel to diligently prepare our campuses for our safe return. Air purifiers are in every room on campus and have been serviced with new filters. Over the weekend, the air in all campus buildings will be treated with air scrubber machines and campus exterior areas will be power washed to mitigate ash and debris. 

Water and Masks: Water bottles and masks are being delivered to division and area offices across PCC’s campuses and will be available to students, faculty, and staff as needed. 

Free Meals: Free meals will be available in the Piazza in the Campus Center (CC Building) for PCC students, faculty, and staff from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. World Central Kitchen will also be offering meals from 5 to 8 p.m. for the PCC community and the public impacted by the fire tomorrow (Saturday), and Monday through Friday next week. 

What we’ve all experienced and witnessed this week has been overwhelming. Even as we slowly return to our normal routines, we will be reminded for some time to come that things are not normal. If you or someone you know finds yourself dealing with difficult emotions, please ask for help.  

Students who need mental health support can reach out to the office of Mental Health and Wellness Services or can access after-hours assistance by calling 626-585-7273 and pressing 9. PCC’s Employee Assistance Program offers free and low-cost counseling services for staff and faculty. The college will also be offering additional on-site counseling services for employees next week. More information to come. 

The days ahead may bring changes as we continue to monitor air quality and evolving conditions. I want to assure you that we are closely assessing the situation and will adjust our plans as necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community.

Please continue to check your PCC email regularly and often, and please sign up for PCC emergency alerts to ensure that you receive up to date information. Information is also available on our Fire Updates website at pasadena.edu/fireupdates.

Thank you for all you do to lift one another up and keep PCC strong. Together, we will navigate the days ahead and move forward with purpose and hope.

Please stay safe and take good care of yourself and your loved ones.

With appreciation,

José

For information about PCC’s response to the local fires, visit pasadena.edu/fireupdates.
To support PCC community members impacted by the disaster, visit pasadena.edu/firerelief.

--

José A. Gómez, Ph.D.
Superintendent-President

Dear Lancer Family:

Just a quick note of gratitude. 

I appreciate each and every one of you for what you’ve done to take care of yourself and to take care of each other during this week’s unspeakable tragedy. 

As our PCC community begins the journey from disaster to recovery, our need to show up for each other remains great. The days and weeks ahead will require us to extend grace, generosity, and compassion to those among us who are hurting. 

I’m inspired by what I’ve seen in this community and I’m certain we’ll continue to be there for each other. Thank you to all of our PCC colleagues and volunteers who have been on campus working since the start of the fires, and those who have been working remotely to support our community in preparation for our planned return next week.

The decisions regarding the days ahead may shift in response to changing conditions. I write fully aware that circumstances continue to evolve. I ask for your patience and understanding of this moment we find ourselves in. I also ask that we each continue to stand ready to do what we must do to help our PCC community, our neighbors, and the region we serve and love through this difficult time. The community that we’ve served for 100 years needs us now more than ever.

Warm regards, 

José

Dear Lancer Community,

Your safety is our top priority.

Due to high winds, smoke, and unsafe commuting conditions, all PCC campuses will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, January 8.

Faculty: If possible, please transition your classes to an online format and notify your students.

Essential personnel: Please contact your supervisor for further instruction.

Staff: You are expected to work remotely tomorrow. Your supervisor will be in touch with details.

PCC will continue to monitor the weather and assess campus safety. Further updates will be provided as needed.

Thank you for your flexibility and for helping prioritize the safety of our community. 

Stay safe, and we will keep you informed.