Close call for seniors

The recent fires in Agoura Hills and Oak Park touched many people in our community. Agoura Hills Senior Retreat was no exception. We watched and waited through the night to determine our best course of action to protect the safety and well being of our 135 senior residents.

Our families were terrific and hurried to pick up their loved ones and take them to their homes, even though some of them were facing evacuation from their own homes. And our residents did not panic when awakened to be told about the fire and the evacuation. Capt. Tom Martin of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station personally came over to update us at 5:30 a.m. about the current situation. Some great residents of Old Agoura came to ask if we needed help even though they themselves were being evacuated.

Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks graciously offered their center to the 30 residents that were not picked up by family members. They made arrangements for the Red Cross to bring out cots and blankets for our residents. Dial-A-Ride of Agoura Hills called us and offered their buses to shuttle our residents there. Our entire staff worked tirelessly throughout the night to make this event smooth and free from trauma for all involved.

We would like to thank all of the above and the many others who offered assistance, kind words and good thought and most especially the firefighters that worked so hard throughout this ordeal. Sharon Friedman Marketing Manager Agoura Hills Senior Retreat