On September 12, 2016, the anniversary of the Valley Fire, Dr. Jeff Smith gave a talk to the Contra Costa Veterinary Medical Association in Lafayette, CA; Lessons Learned From the Valley Fire. Dr. Jay Kerr, Chairman of the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Core (the Disaster Relief part of CVMA) coordinated the talk of about 80 members. There are paid government organizations in force to help humans during disasters but animals rely only on volunteers. One of the goals of the talk was to raise awareness amongst all veterinarians to become trained in disaster relief so they can volunteer if the need arises.
