READY LA

ReadyLA is the City of Los Angeles' official readiness, response, and recovery blog managed by the Emergency Management Department. We provide readiness information, program updates, outreach efforts, and information on significant events happening in the City of Los Angeles. To learn more about emergency readiness, visit us at ReadyLA.org. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook, @ReadyLA

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The dates are official; LA is the place . . .

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Several May Day marches planned for downtown Los Angeles -  Commuters urged to plan ahead

Several May Day marches and rallies will take place on Friday, May 1, 2015 in  downtown Los Angeles.

  Street closures along the march routes will begin as early as 2: 00 p.m. and closures could last until 7:00 p.m. However, the Los Angeles City Department of Transportation says in some cases streets may open sooner as the marchers make their way to their City Hall.

  Commuters, businesses, residents and visitors in the downtown area should plan ahead to avoid delays. For traffic management plan, click here .

LADOT Transit and Metro anticipate delays and detours of their buses due to the planned marches in downtown area.

For information on LADOT transit schedules, visit http://www.ladot.lacity.org  or follow them on Twitter  @LADOToffical or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ladotofficial

 For information on Metro bus schedules, visit http://www.metro.net or follow them on Twitter at @metrolosangeles or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/losangelesmetro

  The City of Los Angles’ Emergency Management Department will post  pertinent updates at:

·         Twitter http://twitter.com/readyla  

·         Facebook http://www.facebook.com/readyla

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Whole Community Volunteer Interactive Preparedness Summit set to help resident be more prepared

The recent 3.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the San Fernando Valley on April 15, 2015 reminded residents in Granada Hills, Reseda, Porter Ranch and throughout the Valley that we must live in a state of readiness and preparedness.

April is National Earthquake Awareness Month. To help San Fernando Valley residents learn more about emergency preparedness, Be More Prepared, Inc. will host the Whole Community Volunteer Interactive Preparedness Summit on:

Saturday, April 25, 2015 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. North Hills United Methodist Church 15435 Rayen Street North Hills, California

This free, community event is open to the public. It will feature hands-on, interactive preparedness training, exercises and drills along with many displays,  presentations and exhibits from emergency preparedness experts and sponsors. Attendees have a chance to win lunch, give-a-ways or tickets when they complete a hands on exercise. The City of Los Angeles’ Emergency Management Department will be on site to provide information on NotifyLA (notifyla.org)  the City’s new emergency alert system; and the  5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness  Program (5steps.la).

A press conference will take place before the event. Scheduled speakers include: LAPD Deputy Chief Robert Green; LAPD Captain Todd Chamberlain, Mission Division; LAFD Deputy Chief Daryl Arbuthnott, and LAFD Captain Michael Coffey, Station 90.

For more information about this event, contact Cheryl Cashman at 562-208-9917  or on Twitter @cherylcashman.

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Cold Weather Alert: Low Temperatures Expected in Parts of Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES – The County Interim Health Officer is issuing a Cold Weather Alert for the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County Mountain areas due to the National Weather Service’s forecast for low temperatures beginning Monday, April 6, 2015 through Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Wind chill temperatures are expected to be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during such cold snaps.  Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside,” said Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Interim Health Officer. “There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities. We also want to remind people not to use stoves, barbeques or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Take precautions to protect yourself from the cold: ·        Dress in layers of warm clothing if you plan to be outdoors. ·        Protect extremities from the cold by wearing a hat, scarf, gloves, and socks. ·        Offer to help those in your neighborhood with limited access to heat, such as seniors or those who are ill. Check on them frequently. ·        During peak cold times, if you don’t have a heater in your home, visit indoor public facilities such as shopping malls, libraries or senior centers. ·        If you have pets, bring them indoors and do not leave them outside overnight. ·        If you use an outdoor generator at home, place it at least 10 feet away from all doors and windows to avoid exhaust gases entering the home. ·        Stoves, barbeques and ovens can produce a deadly gas known as carbon monoxide when used to heat a home. Never use these appliances in place of approved heaters such as electric, natural gas, or fireplaces. ·        Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to reduce the risk of poisoning.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include shortness of breath, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and nausea. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide could lead to death within minutes. Those suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should be taken outside, into fresh air, immediately, and should be taken to an emergency room for immediate medical treatment.

Los Angeles County residents and business owners, including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs may call 211 LA County for emergency preparedness information and other referral services. The toll-free 2-1-1 number is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.  211 LA County services can also be accessed by visiting http://www.211la.org/.

To learn more about Public Health a please visit:

http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov

http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth

http://www.facebook.com/lapublichealth

Twitter: @LAPublicHealth.

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Spring forward

Daylight Savings Time officially starts on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 2:00 a.m.  (0200 hours for those of you who prefer military time).

Daylight Savings Time springs us forward when we move the clock up an hour, and yes we lose an hour of sleep.  It also springs us forward to springtime, that time of year trees begin to bud and flowers bloom.

As you prepare to move your clocks ahead an hour and grapple with how you will adapt to losing an hour of sleep, Daylight Savings Time is a great annual reminder to: • Review your emergency preparedness plans. • Rotate and replace items in your emergency kits. • Replace batteries in smoke detectors and radios.

There may be a few groggy and tired people driving to work under darkened skies on Monday morning following the time change. Pack your patience, perhaps leave a little earlier, and drive with extra caution.

In no time you will adapt to the time change and the loss of that hour of sleep. But more importantly, you will have the peace of mind knowing that your emergency plans and supplies are up to date.

Remember: readiness is the most powerful tool we have to survive disasters.

Visit ReadyLA for more preparedness tips.

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Earthquake and Tsunami Readiness February, 2015

In collaboration with Councilmen Tom LaBonge and Mitchell Englander, this month’s Emergency Management Department (EMD) bulletin will discuss the City of Los Angeles tsunami danger resulting from earthquakes.

A tsunami is a series of waves that is usually caused by a very large earthquake. The first wave may not be the largest and the timing between them may vary from minutes to several hours apart. The impact of a tsunami will vary based on the terrain. A tsunami can move at hundreds of miles per hour in the open ocean and can run-up on land hundreds to thousands of feet in low lying coastal areas. All tsunamis are potentially dangerous, even though they may not damage every coastline they strike.

Tsunamis can occur at any time, day or night, in good weather or bad, and at any time of the year. The tsunami waves can come ashore in many different ways, such as a wall of water, a rapidly rising tide, or a series of surf-like breakers. A tsunami has the force to carry boats, debris, and heavy rocks a great distance inland. This swift-moving, debris-filled wave of water can, and often does, injure or kill people.

Types of Tsunamis 1. Local Tsunamis. These are caused by very large earthquakes near our coast that can cause an underwater landslide. They are very rare; however, the first wave of a Local Tsunami could possibly arrive within 10 minutes of the temblor. There may not be time for a Tsunami Warning to be issued. Residents and business owners residing in the tsunami inundation zones should drop, cover and hold-on for the earthquake; then evacuate the area inland. Tsunami evacuation signs are posted along coastal streets to direct you.

2. Pacific-Wide Tsunamis.

These are caused by earthquakes hundreds to thousands of miles away from our coast. A Pacific-Wide Tsunami could reach our coastline within an hour of the earthquake, and will usually give authorities time to issue a Tsunami Warning. When you hear a Tsunami Warning broadcast, pack up your family and pets and follow the tsunami evacuation signs inland.

Potential Tsunami Warning Signs • Any time one feels an earthquake near the coast, they should be aware that tsunamis are a potential • Seeing water receding or surging out to sea or surging inland • A loud roaring sound coming from the ocean

All low-lying coastal areas, including the Los Angeles Harbor, Venice and West Los Angeles beaches, can be struck by a tsunami. Please review the following City tsunami preparedness, response, and evacuation information for these areas:

Tsunami Information for the West Los Angeles Area • http://emergency.lacity.org/stellent/groups/departments/@emd_contributor/documents/contributor_web_co ntent/lacityp_013875.pdf Tsunami Information for the Harbor Area • http://www.emergency.lacity.org/stellent/groups/departments/@emd_contributor/documents/contributor_web_content/lacityp_029862.pdf Tsunami Information for the Venice Area • http://www.emergency.lacity.org/stellent/groups/departments/@emd_contributor/documents/contributor_web_content/lacityp_029863.pdf

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An exciting emegerncy preparedness opportunity for City of Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils

The City of Los Angeles, Emergency Management Department (EMD) has been awarded a grant to further its mission of developing emergency community readiness in Los Angeles. Using a "whole community approach" EMD will select a Neighborhood Council (NC) to create a customized Neighborhood Emergency Plan. This community plan is for an area of 25-40 households within an NC's boundaries,. The completed Neighborhood Emergency Plan will be practiced during a full-scale exercise using the "neighbor helping neighbor" concept.

The deadline is March 6, 2015. For more information, see the attached links:

Submission guidelines

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzWzc1PX-KEIalFTdEFyZm5ReVU/view?usp=sharing

Flyer

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzWzc1PX-KEIZk9zenhDT051Yzg/view?usp=sharing

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City of Los Angeles offers Christmas Tree Recycling Program for City Residents

Christmas trees make the season bright. But now that the season is over and it's a brand new year, there’s a big reason to remove it from your home - the increased risk of fire. 

There have been several fires in Los Angeles since the New Year began. Officials believe that Christmas trees played a role in fueling the fires. These fires have not been without injury to residents and firefighters, not to mention property damage in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The City of Los Angeles has made it easy and convenient for residents to responsibly recycle their Christmas trees. The City’s Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation will pick up your Christmas tree from your curbside on your designated trash collection day. Here’s how to get your tree ready for pick up:

REMOVE all ornaments, decorations, tinsels, and stand from the tree.

CUT tree in pieces to fit into the green bin.

PLACE the tree pieces inside the green bin for regular pick-up on your regular trash collection day.

If your Christmas tree is too big to cut and place inside the green waste bin, place the tree next to your green waste bin on your designated trash collection day.

Those who live in multi-family residential buildings can have their trees picked up by placing them at the curbside on their designated trash collection day.  

The Bureau of Sanitation will collect curbside trees until around the end of January.  Collected Christmas trees will be recycled into compost and mulch. For more information about the Bureau of Sanitation’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program, call the Customer Service Hotline at [phone].

The Los Angeles Fire Department has 13 special Christmas tree collection sites that will accept and recycle Christmas trees on an ongoing basis.  However, you must remove all ornaments, decorations, tinsel and the stand from tree prior to dropping it off. Here’s the list of participating fire stations:

FIRE STATION #21 1192 E. 51st Street, 90011 - South Los Angeles [phone] FIRE STATION #28 11641 Corbin Ave., 91326 - Porter Ranch [phone] FIRE STATION #29 4029 W. Wilshire Bl., 90010 - Hancock Park [phone] FIRE STATION #44 1410 Cypress Ave., 90065 - Cypress Park [phone] FIRE STATION #64 10811 S. Main Street, 90061 - South Los Angeles [phone] FIRE STATION #65 1801 E. Century Bl., 90002 - Watts [phone] FIRE STATION #71 107 S. Beverly Glen Bl., 90024 - Holmby Hills/Bel-Air [phone]

FIRE STATION #77 9224 Sunland Bl., 91352- Sun Valley [phone] FIRE STATION #82 5769 Hollywood Bl., 90028 - Hollywood [phone] FIRE STATION #88 5101 N. Sepulveda Bl., 91403 - Sherman Oaks [phone] FIRE STATION #94 4470 Coliseum St., 90016 - Crenshaw District [phone] FIRE STATION #106 23004 Roscoe Bl., 91304 - West Hills [phone]

FIRE STATION #108 12520 Mulholland Dr., 90210 - Franklin Canyon [phone]

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Home Holiday Safety Tips to Help Keep Your Family Safe

The most significant fire hazard in the home during the holiday season is from died-out Christmas trees. The Los Angeles City Fire Department responds to more than 200 Christmas tree-related fire calls annually that cause millions of dollars in property damage. Some calls have sadly resulted in the loss of lives. 

That's why - for the safety of everyone in your household - it's important to ensure that Christmas trees are watered, cared for, and removed from the home soon after the holidays.

Here are a few suggestions to help make this a safe holiday season:

For live trees, make sure the tree is freshly cut. The needles should be flexible and not fall off if a branch is run through your hand. Make a fresh 1-inch cut on the stump end and place in warm water. In the first week, a tree in your home will consume as much as a quart of water per day. Many freshly cut trees will last at least five weeks before drying out. Cutting a tree too early can be a severe fire hazard. If not maintained properly, a Christmas tree can dry out significantly.

Choose a location to display your tree that is away from doors and heat sources: fireplaces, radiators and air ducts. Trees sold on retail lots, may have come from out of state, cut as much as two weeks prior to their delivery and have started the drying process.

Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove or discard in an unsafe manner. Recycle your old tree. Most communities offer a special day for Christmas tree recycling.

Artificial trees should have a label indicating the tree is fire-resistant.

Use only “non-combustible” or “flame-resistant” materials to decorate the tree. Never place lighted candles on a tree or near other flammable items.

Lights should never adorn a metallic tree. The tree may be electrically charged from using faulty lights or electrical cords and may become charged with electricity, resulting in electrocution if touched. Christmas Lights The use of electric extension cords and overloaded electrical plugs are the main cause of electrical fires igniting Christmas trees and outdoor decorations.

  To protect your family, also consider the following tips:

Look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label that indicates the electrical cord has been tested for safety.

Check all lights for any signs of damage, fraying or “blackening” to the socket. When damage is detected take the lights “out of service.”

Use lights as they are labeled, “indoor” and/or “outdoor.”

NEVER leave Christmas tree lighting or decorations lit over night.

On half of the  ReadyLA and City of Los Angeles’ Emergency Management Department, we wish you a very safe and joyous holiday season.

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The holiday season is a time of increased risk of injuries and even deaths from Christmas tree fires. Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas shared some tips on Christmas tree safety.

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City of Los Angeles Downtown Public Counter Services at Figueroa Plaza Resume

Public counter services are open for business at 201 N. Figueroa Street, in downtown Los Angeles. Services were temporarily unavailable due to concerns posed by a nearby structure fire on Monday, December 8, 2014.

Those public counter services include:

Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety Construction Services

Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety Concierge Station 

Los Angeles Department of Public Works Central District Constituent Services & Permits  

Los Angeles Department of Public Works Mapping and Land Records

Los Angeles Department of Public Works Land Development

Los Angeles Police Department Officer of Inspector General

Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Prevention

Please note:

The Planning and Construction Division of the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department has relocated  to the Recreation and Parks Maintenance Office in City Hall on the 1st Floor. If you have questions about this division, call 818-756-9404 for assistance.

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Downtown City Building and Safety Permits Office temporarily closed

Due to a nearby structure fire in downtown Los Angeles, counter services at the City of Los Angeles Building and Safety Department located in the Figueroa Plaza (201 N. Figueroa Street) are not available because the building has been closed. The building closure is expected to last through today, December 8, 2014.  Permits and other services can be obtained from the following Construction Service Centers:

Van Nuys - 6262 Van Nuys Blvd.

West Los Angeles - 1828 Sawtelle Blvd.

San Pedro - 638 S. Beacon St.

South Los Angeles - 8475 S. Vermont Avenue

Public counter hours are:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

If you have additional questions, please call the Building and Safety Customer Call Center's toll free number 888-LA4-BUILD

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Locations for sandbags and sand

During the rainy season, City of Los Angeles residents can get free sandbags and sand from Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) stations. Shovels are provided and residents must fill their own bags. Please call the location you intend on visiting if you have any specific questions. Please note, fire stations with an asterisk* have sandbags only. The fire station locations are: 

  FS       Location

3          108 N. Fremont Ave., Los Angeles, [phone]

5          8900 S. Emerson Ave., Los Angeles, [phone]

6          326 North Virgil Avenue, Angeleno Heights [phone]

18        Knollwood Country Club (s/o Fire Station), 12050 Balboa., Granada Hills [phone]

19        12229 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles (WLA). [phone]

21        1187 E. 52nd St., Los Angeles, 213) 485-6221

 23       17281 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, [phone]

24        9411 Wentworth St., Sunland, [phone]

26        2009 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, [phone]

27        1328 N. Cole, Hollywood, [phone]

28        11641 Corbin Ave., Porter Ranch, [phone]

38        Banning Park, 1331 Eubank St., Wilmington, [phone]

41        1439 N. Gardner St., West Hollywood, [phone]

43        3690 Motor Ave., Palms, [phone]

44        1410 Cypress Ave., Cypress Park, [phone]

47        4575 Huntington Dr., South Los Angeles, [phone]

64        118 W. 108th St., Los Angeles, [phone]

65        *1801 E. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, [phone]

71        107 S. Beverly Glen Blvd., Los Angeles,[phone]

74        CD 2 Council Office, 7747 Foothill Blvd. [phone]

77        9224 Sunland Blvd., Sunland, [phone]

78        4241 Whitsett Ave., North Hollywood, [phone]

82        1800 N. Bronson Ave., Los Angeles, [phone]

84        21050 W. Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills,[phone]

85        *24801 Frampton Ave., Harbor City, (Harbor City Recreational Center) [phone]

86        4305 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood, [phone]

87        10124 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills, [phone]

88        5101 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Sherman Oaks, [phone]

91        Sylmar Rec. Center, 14430 Polk St., Sylmar, [phone]

94        4470 Coliseum St., Los Angeles, [phone]

97        8021 Mulholland Dr., Los Angeles, [phone]

 99        14145 Mulholland Dr., Beverly Hills, [phone]

101      Peck Park - 560 N. Western Ave., San Pedro, [phone] (Dept. of Recs. & Parks)

106      23004 Roscoe Blvd., West Hills, [phone]

108      12520 Mulholland Dr., Beverly Hills, (Cross street - Coldwater Canyon), [phone]

109      16500 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, [phone]

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California Department of Public Health Establishes Ebola Hotline

October 23, 2014

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has established an Ebola hotline call center to respond to public inquiries related to Ebola it was announced today by Dr. Ron Chapman, CDPH director and state health officer.

“This hotline has been set up and staffed to answer questions from those concerned about the possibility of Ebola in California,” said Chapman. “Our goal is to be available to eliminate the mystery of this disease and offer the facts to Californians as the situation evolves. This is one in a series of steps we have taken in the last few months.”

The hotline, 855-421-5921 will be in operation from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

There are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in California and no suspect cases.

Since the Ebola outbreak began in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, CDPH has worked with state, federal and local health officials to prepare for potential cases of Ebola in California. In August, CDPH launched an informational website compiling information about the outbreak and preparing California health care providers with guidance and protocols from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDPH has developed an interim case report form for reporting suspected cases of Ebola to CDPH and has distributed CDC guidance on specimen collection, transport, testing and submission for patients suspected of having Ebola. Last week, CDPH posted interim guidelines for Ebola medical waste management and recommended that all health care facility environmental services personnel and infection control staff work together to develop facility-specific protocols for safe handling of Ebola related medical waste. CDPH has provided these and other documents to health care providers and partners via the California Health Alert Network (CAHAN).

In September, CDPH convened more 1,100 health care and public health workers to urge them to assess their Ebola readiness and conduct drills in their facilities. Last week, CDPH officials held a teleconference with health care providers to discuss the latest news and guidance about handling suspected Ebola cases. CDPH is providing weekly updates to local health officials, first responders and health care providers as the Ebola outbreak continues in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. CDPH joins with a team of state departments and agencies including: California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS), the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) and the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), to address all aspects of preparedness for a potential Ebola case in California.

CDPH is also available to provide consultation about suspect Ebola cases to local health departments and health care providers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information about how the state is preparing for potential cases of Ebola, please read CDPH's Ebola Virus Disease FAQs and visit the CDPH Ebola Virus Information Page and the Cal/OSHA Ebola Virus Information site.

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October 20, 2014

To date, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola in Los Angeles County. 

The Ebola Virus Disease (Ebola) outbreak in the West African nations of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia is a tragic situation. The City is monitoring the situation and working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) in understanding and disseminating the facts about Ebola.

 Should a case of Ebola be confirmed in Los Angeles County, the LACDPH will notify the Emergency Management Department (EMD). The City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will immediately activate to Level I to provide Citywide coordination and to manage all crisis information.

It is important to remember that the risk of contracting Ebola is very low in Los Angeles. Ebola patients can only spread the disease when they have symptoms. A person can get Ebola only when they have direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids through broken skin or mucous membranes.

According to a  recent statement issued by Jeh Johnson Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the DHS have implemented enhanced screening measures at five airports around the country – New York’s JFK, Newark, Dulles, Atlanta and Chicago. Passengers flying into one of these airports from flights originating in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are subject to secondary screening and added protocols, including having their temperature taken, before they can be admitted into the United States. These airports account for about 94 percent of travelers flying to the United States from these countries. At present there are no direct, non-stop commercial flights from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea to any airport in the United States.    In additional, all passengers arriving in the United States whose travel originates in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea will be required to fly into one of the five airports that have the enhanced screening and additional resources in place. DHS is working closely with the airlines to implement these restrictions with minimal travel disruption Impacted travelers should contact the airlines for rebooking for additional information.

  Lastly, the DHS has put in place measures to identify and screen anyone at all land, sea and air ports of entry into the United States they believe has been present in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea in the preceding 21 days.  

The following websites provide more information about the Ebola Virus Disease:

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/ebola.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/index.html

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/NR14-073.aspx

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/10/06/fact-sheet-us-response-ebola-epidemic-west-africa

http://www.dhs.gov/ebola-response

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Don't miss the City of Los Angeles Preparedness Fair September 26, 2014

What better way to culminate the end of National Preparedness Month than to spend it at the City of Los Angeles’ Emergency Preparedness Fair.

  If you live, work or are visiting the downtown Los Angeles area, join us on:

September 26, 2014

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

FigAt7th Plaza Level

  This year’s theme is “It will never happen should not be your plan.”

Here’s a quick list of what you can expect:

Lots of preparedness tips and information

Giveaways

Water conservation tips

Presentations including how to use a fire extinguisher

Learn about ShakeOut, the largest earthquake drill in the world

Crime prevention tips

Tsuimani information

Fire prevention information

Free CPR training

Raffle of 25 emergency kits

Static displays like fire trucks

And much more

Remember  - readiness is the most powerful tool we have to survive disasters.

 Join us and let's #GETREADYLA.

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LA County Public Health issues unhealthy air quality advisory

                                                                                September 23, 2014                                                                       

  AIR QUALITY ADVISORY: Unhealthy air quality declared due to smoke from the Port of Los Angeles Fire

  LOS ANGELES – According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), smoke from the fire at the Port of Los Angeles has caused poor air quality that affects all individuals in Wilmington and surrounding areas. The Los Angeles County Interim Health Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, urges all individuals in these areas, or areas where there is visible smoke or the odor of smoke, to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and to limit physical exertion (whether indoor or outdoor), such as exercise.

  "We are also advising schools that are in session in smoke-impacted areas to suspend outside physical activities in these areas, including physical education and after-school sports, until conditions improve," said Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, MD, MPH. “Non-school related sports organizations for children and adults are advised to cancel outdoor practices and competitions in areas where there is visible smoke, soot, or ash, or where there is an odor of smoke. This also applies to other recreational outdoor activity, such as hikes or picnics, in these areas.”

  Throughout Los Angeles County, especially Wilmington and surrounding areas, sensitive individuals, such as those with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory disease, should follow these recommendations and stay indoors as much as possible even in areas where smoke, soot, or ash cannot be seen or there is no odor of smoke.

  "It is difficult to tell where ash or soot from a fire will go, or how winds will affect the level of dust particles in the air, so we ask all individuals to be aware of their immediate environment and to take actions to safeguard their health," said Dr. Gunzenhauser.

  People can participate in indoor sports or other strenuous activity in areas with visible smoke, soot, or ash, provided the indoor location has air conditioning that does not draw air from the outside and it has closed windows and doors to protect the cleanliness of indoor air. If not, it is recommended that all individuals follow these guidelines as if they were outside.

  The following recommendations will help you protect yourself and your family from harmful effects of bad air quality:

·         If you see or smell smoke, or see a lot of particles and ash in the air, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity to limit your exposure to harmful air. This is especially important for those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), the elderly and children.

·         If outdoor air is bad, try to keep indoor air as clean as possible by keeping windows and doors closed. Air conditioners that re-circulate air within the home can help filter out harmful particles.

·         Avoid using air conditioning units that only draw in air from the outside or that do not have a re-circulating option. Residents should check the filters on their air conditioners and replace them regularly. Indoor air filtration devices with HEPA filters can further reduce the level of particles that circulate indoors.

·         If it is too hot during the day to keep the doors or windows closed and you do not have an air conditioning unit that re-circulates indoor air, consider going to an air conditioned public place, such as a library or shopping center, to stay cool and to protect yourself from harmful air.

·         Do not use fireplaces (either wood burning or gas), candles, and vacuums. Use damp cloths to clean dusty indoor surfaces. Do not smoke.

·         If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to smoke exposure, including severe coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your doctor immediately or go to an urgent care center.

·         When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors even though you may not be able to see them. Wearing a mask may prevent exposures to large particles. However, most masks do not prevent exposure to fine particles and toxic gases, which may be more dangerous to your health.

  The following is recommended for pets:

·         Avoid leaving your pets outdoors, particularly at night. Pets should be brought into an indoor location, such as an enclosed garage or a house.

·         If dogs or cats appear to be in respiratory distress, they should be taken to an animal hospital immediately. Symptoms of respiratory distress for dogs include panting and/or an inability to catch their breath. Symptoms for cats are less noticeable, but may include panting and/or an inability to catch their breath.

  The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises nearly 4,000 employees and has an annual budget exceeding $900 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov, visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth, find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lapublichealth, or follow us on Twitter: @LAPublicHealth.

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