VENTURA COUNTY — The Museum of Ventura County and CAPS Media are coordinating with the Ventura City fire and police departments, county fire and sheriff departments, other agencies and most importantly the Ventura County public to create an historical archive of the most devastating natural tragedy in county history. Throughout the next few months, the Museum and CAPS Media will be gathering stories and digital images as well as physical artifacts to assemble an historical record of the extraordinary sacrifices of fire fighters, law enforcement personnel and other first responders who tirelessly battled the devastating Thomas Fire, and the citizens of Ventura who reacted to the crisis with astonishing calm and then opened their hearts and hands to help those in need.?Both organizations invite the public’s participation and encourage those with a story to tell or a tribute or thank you to share, to submit their stories and digital images to help document our common experience.
“Documentation of the extensive impacts of the Thomas Fire on Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties has taken immediate precedence over our regular museum programs and activities,” said Denise Sindelar, programs director, Museum of Ventura County. “In providing a repository for the images, videos, artifacts and stories of this devastating event, the Museum will be creating access to this vital information for future generations.”
CAPS Media is spearheading the Thomas Fire Stories Project, a comprehensive documentary undertaking that will capture the remarkable stories of heroism, sacrifice, tragedy and healing surrounding the Thomas Fire. The project will also include personal stories of individuals and families whose lives were dramatically changed the night of December 4 and the weeks that followed.?CAPS Media will record interviews with Thomas Fire first responders, officials and the public impacted by the tragedy for inclusion in the documentary project and for broadcast and streaming on CAPS Television and Radio.?
To submit a video, go to capsmedia.org and follow the steps outlined to upload video content. To submit a personal story, a tribute or thank you and/or to share digital images, send an email to thomasfire@venturamuseum.org. When submitting your story please provide your name and email. CAPS Media will credit all submissions used in the Thomas Fire Stories Project.
Over the past two years CAPS Media has worked with the Museum to create Ventura Legacies, a series of television and radio programs telling the engaging stories of remarkable and historic families in the Ventura community.
“CAPS Media is excited to continue our creative collaborations with the Museum of Ventura County,” said Patrick Davidson, executive director, CAPS Media. “Now the devastating Thomas Fire presents us all with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine skills and resources to?capture the inspirational stories of heroism, sacrifice, tragedy and healing that represent the very best of Ventura.”
About the Museum: The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands and the surrounding region through its collections, exhibitions, events, educational programs, publications and its research library, and serves as a gathering place for the community. Located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001, the Museum of Ventura County is open Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.
About CAPS Media: CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura is a private non-profit PEG Media Center that manages the Public, Educational, & Government access television channels in Ventura. CAPS provides equipment, studio and editing facilities and training classes for the benefit of the residents of Ventura. Mailing address is 65 Day Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Phone number:?(805) 658-0500; fax number: (805) 658-0505. For more information, visit www.capsmedia.org