SN. 6 - Ep231 - Abe Powell - Founder of SB Bucket Brigade

PICTURED: ABE POWELL & JACK JOHNSON - (Jeff Moehlis photo)Today we are talking to Co-Founder of the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade Executive Director John Abraham “Abe” Powell. Abe was named the 2018 Montecito Association Citizen of the Year for his response to the Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flow. A parallel Santa Barbara County resolution commended him for “a lifetime of outstanding achievement in service to this community.” Abe Powell was born to a Montecito native and has lived in the community since 1976. He has served on the Montecito Fire Protection District board since 2012. Abe and his wife, Jessica, created the Bucket Brigade on January 28, 2018, to help the community respond to the disastrous 1/9 Debris Flow, which came right after the Thomas Fire. The disaster caused 23 fatalities and over 150 injuries. More than 100 homes were destroyed and an additional 300 homes were damaged. The SB3, led by Abe & Jessica has helped those directly affected by the debris flow – digging mud and debris out of homes, helping families find lost belongings, cleaning up public open spaces, helping to restore local trails and rescuing endangered oak trees.Since then, more than 3,000 volunteers have helped dig the community out.The Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade was created to prepare for and respond to natural disasters and community crises through volunteer training, coordination and deployment. You can help the efforts by going to:sbbucketbrigade.orgDO YOU NEED HELP DIGGING OUT YOUR HOME?Please write “NEED HELP” in the subject line below.ARE YOUR TREES BURIED IN THE MUD? LET US HELP YOU SAVE THEM!Please write “SAVE OUR TREES” in the subject line.On Instagram: @santabarbarabucketbrigade