Santa Barbara officials are doing everything they can to help victims and families impacted by Monday morning's deadly boat fireoff the coast of Santa Cruz Island.
The U.S. Coast Guard has set up a Family Assistance Center at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara.
It allows families, friends, and loved ones to get more information about the situation and on those they might know who were involved in this tragic boat fire incident while also serving as a place of support.
Suzanne Grimmesey, PIO for the County of Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness, says, "The staffing that we have inside the Family Assistance Center includes mental health staff from the Department of Behavioral Wellness, we have Red Cross, Hospice will be here a little later today, we have faith-based community, clergy, chaplains, we have sheriff's department, we have fire department."
Grimmesey mentioned that the Family Assistance Center was seeing more people as the day goes on and they encourage that.
Some are deciding to stay and wait for more information, and others might leave and check back in, but ultimately it's a place for support.
The assistance center stayed open until 6:30 p.m. Monday and will re-open Tuesday morning. It will stay open as long as needed.
The County has set up an information line at 833-688-5551 for those with questions about the boat fire incident.
