COPSS (Community Outreach Promoting Safety and Security:
To go directly to the COPSS website, click on this link: www.copss-ca.org
ATTEND THE NEXT COPSS FORUM, THURS. APRIL 24, 2008. Click here for details.
Report from COPSS Meeting, January 24, 2008
The main speaker for this meeting was Mr. James Featherstone of the L.A. Emergency Management Department. He complimented the Port Police, Port of L.A., LA City Fire and LA Police Department for their very successful evacuation drill in December. 1,000 people were safely and orderly evacuated from the Port of L.A. building, Port of L.A. High School, City Council offices and the Maritime Museum.
He reiterated that any large event will undoubtedly close the main arteries in and out of Los Angeles. Depending upon what time of day (or night) is also crucial to evacuation plans. At night, there are normally about 4 million people in the L.A. area – during the day, that number swells to about 6 million. So, many folks may not be able to leave to get back to their homes. Hence, there will have to be evacuee centers established (and much of this is already done by the Red Cross).
After the L.A. Riots in 1992, the many agencies that dealt with the ’94 Northridge earthquake were much better prepared. But this only came about by constant training and better inter-agency communication.
Bottom line is that each and every person needs to be prepared to sustain themselves for up to 7 days – food and water for both humans and pets. Each family needs a point of contact out of the state so that everyone can check in and state their location and conditions there.
The Federal government has massive resources to help and will push to get it delivered; but we have to be ready to receive it. Within hours, they can have emergency materials airlifted into the area. So, distribution centers need to be set up – this was the problem with Katrina in Louisiana. The resources were there but there was no infrastructure to receive them, let alone distribute them. For our area, a plus is the ocean which can be utilized to bring goods and services in.
Public safety can help with re-stocking and re-supply if folks stay out of their way for the first few days. Most important, take care of yourself first; then you can help others. We need to do a lot more in our neighborhoods – know where the seniors and disabled are and help them out.
His mantra is JOIN, JOIN, JOIN and TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN. His 21 year career with the Fire Department taught him that the things you can set up (like his turnouts) and not worry or think about will save you time and trouble. Always have a transistor radio as part of your preparedness kit. Join as many organizations as you can to become self sufficient; know how to keep yourself safe – where to turn off the gas, put out any fires that may erupt and stay tuned to your radio for further instructions.
Train with organizations like CERT (Community Emergency Response Team).
Report from COPSS Meeting, October 25, 2007
I. Emergency Preparedness report by first responders:
A. Port Police – cruise ships diverted from S.D. to L.A. due to fires. Ripple effect w/extra police, K-9’s, etc. Doing a lot of training now – a tsunami training had to be postponed until Feb. On Dec. 10th, there will be an actual Evacuation Exercise. Including the LAFD, LAPD, LA Port Police, Coast Guard and the railroad. A tank car on the railroad will be emanating a gas that will require an evacuation of San Pedro City Hall, Port Building, Maritime Museum and the Fire Station on 5th & Harbor. LAFD needs volunteers to help in the evacuation portion (CERT) certified and non CERT certified people can help in the feeding of the evacuees taken to San Pedro Fish Market at Port’s O’Call. Part of this will be to practice de-contamination of the area. There are also concerns that a major quake on the San Andreas fault would cut us off and create chaos as the fault crosses aquaducts, railroads, etc. We know we are vulnerable and would have to shelter in iplacle. Military would need to come in w/supplies. Apparently, all resources are catalogued in a data base as per Homeland Security Advisory Council.
B. LAPD – has been working with others on Evacuation Plan. Will look at some new ideas from San Diego (like moving a burn unit from a Hospital onto the 3rd floor of QualCom Stadium). Going to do an exercise soon on how to actually move large groups of people from one location to another. (neighbors, special needs, animals). Drills will include S.P. Hospital. State has purchased 2 mobile field hospitals (like they use in wars)
.
C. POLA – we have the reverse 911 capability down here in the Port area but it is nowhere else in the city right now. Recent fire emergency got the mayor’s attention. Long Beach also has it. A newer version is that when TV is off, it will automatically turn on with an Alert. To alert neighborhood, they use PA systems on cars, helicopters, even knocking on doors. Several layers of notification.
D. Coast Guard – using incident command system (originated with fire dept’s. in the late 70’s). 1st responders need to get word out more to how to do Notifications.
E. Miscellaneous
- Homeland Security branch of POLA collaborated with COPSS to do a Brochure to get word out about Emerg. Prep. To be mailed out to 68,000
- File of life – RED envelope – put on freezer outside so 1st responders will know what your meds are, etc. Put copies of driver’s lic., passport
medical and insurance policy numbers, bank numbers, etc. For more
info., call Dept. of Aging (800) 510-2020
II. Speaker Nina Kihlman – community relations person with L.A. Neighborhood
Housing Services – a non-profit that acts as an advocate for folks trying to update and retro-fit their homes. Home inspections work for them and are now more important than ever (since ’94 quake).
What is it about your home that is not safe?
- House not bolted to foundation (would shift in an earthquake)
- Piers need to be 6” deep & not just sitting on surface
- Hillside homes – dangerous cuz of backfilled terraces
- Automatic shut off valve for gas lines (earth movement must be 5.7 or above for it to work)
- Strap water heaters
- Need specific insurance because you could never rebuild your house today at the cost you bought or built it for
- No more wood shingle roofs allowed
Before an inspector will even come to your house, their check up with ZIMAS for any code violations, permitted (or not); illegal additions; setbacks, etc.
But, there is no certification for inspectors or is there an industry standard. So, “buyer beware.”
Bottom line, we need to check on these things ourselves. There are new “Seismic” gas shut-off valve requirements. A plumbing permit from the Dept. of Building & Safety is required. Cost of a plumbing permit for a single valve is $43.40.
The Red Cross has a Financial Planning: Guide for Disaster Preparedness:
www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery/FinPlan/ It is a good site to get you thinking (and hopefully moving).
III. Helpful Websites:
- Zoning information: http://zimas.lacity.org/ (can give you a property profile
- Contractors Info: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/
- Housing Dept: http://www.lacity.org/LAHD/
- Building and Safety: http://www.ladbs.org/
- Housing Authority: http://www.hacla.org/
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