On Thursday, the City of Santa Clarita’s communications manager Carrie Lujan was given the Communicator of the Year Award from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA).
“The list of things a Communications Manager does is quite extensive,” said a statement from 3CMA. “They are protector of their agency’s reputation, storyteller, cheerleader, creative force, motivator, innovator and they always have their ear to the ground to hear the community’s desires and concerns. They take action and provide needed information during emergencies and tragedies – and create and innovate to build a sense of community during the best times.”
The organization went on to say Lujan had fulfilled all those roles over the past two years, as the City of Santa Clarita faced fires, a school shooting and a pandemic.
When the Tick Fire broke out in 2019 and forced 40,000 residents to evacuate, Lujan stepped up to the plate, according to 3CMA.
“From the Emergency Operations Center, Carrie Lujan gathered updates from the Command Post and partner agencies, and delivered timely, verified information to residents and media members, ensuring that clear communications reached those who needed it most,” the statement said. “Her strategy included the deployment of the City’s emergency website, which was updated with regular posts. Live videos were posted to social media channels and press conferences were organized daily.”
Lujan’s work allowed people living in Santa Clarita to be updated on evacuations and closed-off areas straight from the city, instead of having to go through secondary sources to learn where they should and should not go, 3CMA said.
She also partnered with Los Angeles County to open a Local Assistance Center, according to a statement from 3CMA.
Just over a week after the Tick fire, the shooting at Saugus High School took place and Lujan had to represent the city in another emergency, this one being of national importance, according to 3CMA.
“As the community tried to come to grips with the tragedy and young lives lost, Carrie took the lead in planning a community vigil, which brought nearly 15,000 community members together three days after the tragedy to grieve, support each other and begin to heal,” said the statement. “Carrie stepped up and organized the vigil, coordinating speakers, run of show, family accommodations, securing thousands of glow sticks and more.”
Lujan also created the Saugus Strong website and streamed the event via Facebook Live to over 50,000 viewers.
Months after the Saugus shooting, the pandemic put Santa Clarita into a lockdown, and Lujan once again kept the public informed through Facebook Live updates from the mayor, according to the statement from 3CMA.
She also used the Hearts for Heroes campaign to support essential workers and compiled a list of things people could still do in Santa Clarita.
“So, for these reasons, and so many more, the City-County Communications & Marketing Association, assembled in conference in St. Louis, MO on the ninth day of September, 2021, does hereby confer its highest individual honor – the Communicator of the Year – upon our friend and colleague from the City of Santa Clarita, CA – Carrie Lujan,” 3CMA said.
Ed. Note: The KHTS News team wholeheartedly agrees with the bestowment of this well-earned award. Congratulations Carrie, and thank you for your poise, graciousness and good humor during the untold number of complex situations affecting our Santa Clarita Valley.
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