SCE to Host Ventura Open House for Customers Affected by Thomas Fire, Mudslides

Wendy Nicholson has called east Ventura home the past 10 years and was fortunately not affected by the recent wildfires. Sadly, two of her close friends lost homes amid the devastation, and they are slowly recovering with the support of family members. 

A tight-knit community, Nicholson is doing her best to help her neighbors as a planner for Southern California Edison. At local community assistance centers, she has joined co-workers to help those affected by the fires with their temporary power needs and various billing issues.

“I feel strongly that as Edison, we need to be a compassionate presence at these community get-togethers,” she said.

At various assistance centers, SCE has joined other utilities, insurance companies and city and county representatives to help local residents affected by the recent devastation with questions they have as they start to rebuild.

SCE reps and planners answer customer questions at a recent local assistance center in Ventura County.

On Wednesday, SCE will host an open house at its Ventura Service Center dedicated to customers who have specific questions. Customer representatives and planners, including Nicholson, will be on hand to help customers with temporary power needs, and for those rebuilding their homes, permanent electricity needs. Local temporary power companies will also be on hand.

SCE representatives will also talk about bill forgiveness for affected customers, and the specific support SCE is offering customers affected by the Thomas Fire. Fees for temporary power service will also be waived for affected customers. 

“The intent is to provide in-person support for our customers who have had their homes damaged or destroyed and set them on the right path with the rebuilding process,” said Kari Gardner, SCE senior manager of Consumer Affairs. “We want to help our customers the best we can.”

Gardner also notes that some customers may be receiving scam calls for money or to provide personal information, a common occurrence following disasters. SCE reps will be on hand to answer customers’ questions about any possible scam calls they receive.

“We are trying to protect customers from being scammed,” she said.

Wednesday’s open house is for residents and businesses and will take place from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at SCE’s Ventura County Service Center, 10060 Telegraph Road, Building B, Large Assembly Room, in Ventura. No appointment is necessary, but you can RSVP here.  

“We want to help. We are part of the fabric of this community. We are impacted when our customers are impacted,” said Gardner. “It just feels right and we just need to be there.”

For more information: sce.com/firesupport or email scefiresupport@email.sce.com.