Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) announced Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Division Chief Scott Wiedensohler as her guest for President Biden’s State of the Union Address on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Chief Wiedensohler led the initial response to the Tustin Hangar Fire incident, coordinating efforts among first responders, local stakeholders, and Tustin residents.
“Chief Wiedensohler’s leadership is evident across California’s 40th District, from his tireless work on the front lines protecting our communities from wildfires to coordinating the initial response to the terrible Tustin Hangar fire incident. He is a hero, and I am honored to call him a friend,” said Rep. Young Kim. “So many of our friends and neighbors, especially in our canyon communities, see and feel firsthand the devastation of wildfires. Strong partnerships with our local fire agencies are invaluable, and I am honored to have Chief Wiedensohler join me at the State of the Union .”
Rep. Kim is actively working to equip firefighters and federal land management partners with the tools needed to protect Californians by leading:
- The Wildfire Technology DEMO Act to expand access to next-generation wildfire technologies;
- The NIST Wildland Fire Communications and Information Dissemination Act to boost communications resources and technology to support firefighters in their dangerous and demanding jobs;
- The Fire Information and Reaction Enhancement (FIRE) Act to increase fire weather and environment monitoring and forecasting capabilities; and,
- The Restoring Our Unopened Trails for Enjoyment and Safety (ROUTES) Act to prioritize, streamline, and expedite restoration of federal trails, roads, campgrounds, and recreation sites damaged by wildfires and storms.
