Leaders in the Face of the Eaton Fire: Altadena CERT’s Deb Halberstadt Steps Up in Crisis
In the aftermath of the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, CERV has been proud to support the volunteers and organizations rebuilding their communities. One such story comes from Peace of Mind Preparedness, a Monterey-based disaster readiness consultancy founded by Wanda Vollmer, current Captain of Carmel CERT and longtime community preparedness leader.
This powerful story — “Leaders in the Face of the Eaton Fire” — reminds us why the work of CERT volunteers is vital and how leadership, preparedness, and compassion save lives.
A Community Member, a Photographer, a CERT Leader
Deb Halberstadt and her husband Jon Hainer had lived in Altadena for decades when the Eaton Fire struck. As a seasoned photojournalist, Deb had long collaborated with police and emergency services and had volunteered for 17 years with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
When she joined Altadena CERT, she quickly became a leader — training neighbors in preparedness, spearheading community efforts like Map Your Neighborhood, and building strong networks with local agencies.
But on the night of the fire, her training became personal.
“We looked out the window and saw it… We knew we had to get ready to go,” Deb recalls.
Before evacuating, Deb suited up and headed to the Sheriff’s Station to help. Despite widespread power outages and communication breakdowns, she began calling and texting people to warn them of the fast-moving fire.
Some didn’t believe her at first. One friend, Alfred, later told her:
“Deb, I’m so glad you called. We had no idea. We lost our home, but we got out.”
Devastation and Strength in Altadena
The Eaton Fire destroyed over 6,300 homes and took 17 lives. It was one of the deadliest disasters in the area’s history. But amidst the destruction, stories of resilience emerged.
Community members checked on neighbors, evacuated elderly residents, and transformed parking lots into aid centers. Local businesses, churches, and nonprofits like Altadena Rotary, Samaritan’s Purse, and the Salvation Army stepped in to provide relief.
Deb stayed active throughout it all — organizing, supporting, and helping others heal.
Lessons Learned from a Leader Who Lived It
When asked what she learned, Deb shared these takeaways:
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Know your neighbors. You don’t have to be best friends — but in a crisis, they may be your lifeline.
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Have a go-bag ready. Papers, prescriptions, pets, and a plan.
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Stay situationally aware. Know alternate escape routes and don’t rely on routine.
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Care for your health and your loved ones. Emotional resilience matters just as much as physical safety.
Supporting Altadena CERT and Beyond
This story echoes the urgent need for community-based preparedness — and it’s why CERV launched a donation campaign to support Altadena CERT. If you missed our previous article, you can read it here:
👉 Supporting Altadena CERT After the 2025 LA Wildfires
We continue to advocate for equipping local leaders, strengthening CERT networks, and supporting organizations like Peace of Mind Preparedness, which are building resilience from the ground up.
How You Can Help
If you’re inspired by the resilience and leadership shown by Deb Halberstadt and the Altadena community, there’s still an opportunity to make a direct impact. The Altadena Rotary Club has established the Eaton Fire Recovery Fund to support families and CERT members who lost their homes and continue to help others rebuild.
➡️ Learn more or contribute at: https://www.altadenarotary.org/
These incredible individuals have not only endured personal loss—they continue to give back to their neighbors, proving what true community leadership looks like.
🔗 Learn more about Peace of Mind Preparedness:
https://peaceofmindpreparedness.com/
🎗 Read the full story on their website:
https://peaceofmindpreparedness.com/leaders-in-the-face-of-the-eaton-fir/
📣 Join CERT, get trained, and help your community:
https://www.cerv501c3.org/pages/training-1
Together, we’re building disaster-ready communities. Let Deb’s story remind us that preparedness is personal — and it saves lives.
