Englander E-News: How to Prepare for the Next Big Quake

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS

January 13, 2011

A Year of Emergency Preparedness...

January 17 is the 17th anniversary of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, so it's a great opportunity to kick off our Year of Emergency Preparedness in Los Angeles.
 
As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, my top priority is working to protect public safety in Los Angeles. We have the lowest crime rates in L.A. since the 1950s. While the streets are safer, I am making it my mission to help make sure that families are safer in their homes and workplaces.

So throughout 2012, we will be working on legislation, programs and public awareness efforts to help the residents of Los Angeles be better prepared for emergencies and natural disasters. Los Angeles, and in particular the San Fernando Valley, has always been the epicenter of major emergencies, including earthquakes, seasonal wildfires, floods and wind events. Even a large-scale power outage could be a disaster if residents are not prepared.  

To kick off the Year of Emergency Preparedness, we are introducing a public safety motion on January 17 meant to improve L.A.'s earthquake preparedness and response. It is not a question of IF the Big One will strike, but a question of WHEN, and if every family in Los Angeles is prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours, it will save lives and conserve and maximinze our emergency response resources.  

Every week, during our Year of Emergency Preparedness, our newsletter will feature a new item in an Emergency Preparedness Checklist. These are simple steps that everyone in Los Angeles should take in order to be prepared for any large-scale emergency or disaster. If you follow each item on this checklist, you will be highly prepared at the end of the year.  

Week 1: Family Emergency Preparedness Plan
Having a plan in place so that your family members know what to do during and after an earthquake or other major disaster is crucial. This includes such simple steps as having a third party that family members can call to let each other know their status and location. Please visit "Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety," a free, comprehensive preparedness guide, for detailed instructions on how to make your complete family earthquake preparedness plan. Click here to see the guide.  

Working to Help L.A. Businesses Thrive...

We were proud to participate in the San Fernando Valley Green Team's Brokers and Bankers Forum event about Green Buildings on Jan. 12, 2012 at Corporate Pointe in West Hills. Councilmember Mitchell Englander was the guest speaker.

The event covered the ways that energy efficiency retrofits can lower costs, enhance property values, and improve marketability, as well as the newest and most financially viable green building programs and incentives being offered through the City of Los Angeles. To see more photos from the event, click here.

Councilmember Englander, who is the strongest pro-business voice on the City Council, emphasized the importance of working to help L.A.-based companies thrive, create jobs and boost our local economy. He also discussed the many benefits for businesses operating in the State Enterprise Zone, which we have in our District in the Chatsworth/Northridge Industrial Zone.

The event packed the conference room at Corporate Pointe, the only LEED Gold Certified building in the San Fernando Valley. The partners on the event were the San Fernando Valley Green Team and The Valley Economic Alliance. Speakers and panelists included David Hodgins, President, Sustento Group Los Angeles Commercial Building Performance Program; Renee Watkinson, Vice President Property Management, CBRE; and Derek Brown, Managing Director, Clean Fund.
The San Fernando Valley Green Team is an independent working group of business, academic, legal, regulatory, financial, marketing, and government experts and community leaders serving  businesses, academic institutions, non-profits and community groups in the Valley. To learn more about their work, visit www.valleygreenteam.org.

Councilmember Englander Discusses Hot Topics on Doug McIntyre's Morning Radio Show...

This week Councilmember Mitchell Englander discussed the question of whether the City should introduce a law requiring the use of condoms on adult film productions on Doug McIntyre's morning radio show on KABC 790 AM. Councilmember Englander was the only "no" vote on the proposal. His position was that the City of L.A. does not have authority over this issue. Matters of public health falls under the jurisdiction of L.A. County, not the City. At a time when City services are so impacted, we must consider very carefully how we use our scarce resources. 

To hear a recording of the interview, click here. 

Crime Prevention Tips from the LAPD...

In response to a series of home burglaries in a very small area of Porter Ranch starting the first week of January, Capt. Kris Pitcher, Commanding Officer of LAPD Devonshire Division offers these crime prevention tips. 

The burglaries have been occurring on weekdays, between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm. The suspects are driving around residential neighborhoods, knocking on doors and burglarizing house when it appears that no one is home. They are entering through unlocked doors, windows and garage doors. The suspects appear to be after expensive jewelry and other valuables.  The LAPD's concern is that a resident will surprise a burglar in the act.

Lock all doors and windows, including back doors and garage doors when leaving the home.

Make sure sliding glass doors have strong working locks or an extra bar or locking pin.

Record the serial numbers of electronics and computer equipment, and keep in a secure location. This can help police in their investigations.

Secure jewelry and other highly valuable items in a safe, locked box or other secure place.

If you are home alone and do not wish to answer the door when someone knocks, acknowledge verbally that someone is at home.

Do not confront suspicious individuals.

If you observe suspicious activity in your neighborhood: Call 911 (emergency only) or (877) 275-5273 and continue to monitor the activity from a safe distance if possible. Try to obtain a physical description of the person and vehicle, including license plate.

If you have additional questions or can provide any information about these crimes: Please call Devonshire Division Burglary Detectives at (818) 832-1194, weekdays between 6:00 am and 4:00 pm. Evenings and weekends, call the Devonshire Division Watch Commander at (818) 832-0633.

Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council's Weekly Clean-Up and Help Keep Northridge Clean and Green!

On Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 join Northridge West Neighborhood Council for their weekly clean up project. They will be removing weeds, trash and trimming trees to beautify the north side of Chatsworth St. from Wilbur Ave. to Tampa Ave. in Northridge. 

Thursday, Jan. 19
8:00 am
Meet up at Chatsworth St. and Vanalden in Northridge
 
At 8:00 am the crew will review the game plan with free refreshments provided by Northridge West Neighborhood Council. Bring gloves if you have them, sunscreen, a sunhat and appropriate shoes for outdoor work. Northridge West Neighborhood provides the refreshments and tools.
 
For more information contact Jo Ann Phillips at japhillips1@yahoo.com or visit www.NorthridgeWest.org.

Save the Date for the Feb. 5 Day of Service Community Clean-Up!

Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council and Temple Ahavat Shalom for their Sunday Day of Service Community Clean-Up on Sunday, Feb.  5, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. They will be working on Tampa Ave., from Devonshire St. to Chatsworth St. in Northridge.

Northridge West Neighborhood Council's Operation Clean Sweep and Temple Ahavat Shalom, with support from Councilmember Mitchell Englander's office, are partnerning for this special effort to help keep the streets and sidewalks of Northridge looking beautiful. Please bring water, sunscreen, work gloves if you have them, and shoes and clothes appropriate for outdoor work. All tools, as well as light refreshments will be provided.

For more information or to RSVP, call Shellie Turer at Temple Ahavat Shalom at (818) 993-2255 or email PetsRPeopleToo@att.net.

Police Commission Meeting in Northridge...
 

Join the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, Councilmember Mitchell Englander, and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck on January 17, 2012 for a community meeting in Northridge to discuss public safety issues in the Devonshire Area and the City of Los Angeles.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012
6:30 pm
St. Nicholas Greek Church
9501 Balboa Blvd. (at Plummer St.)
Northridge

Under the City Charter, the Board of Police Commissioners is the head of the Police Department. Established in the 1920's, the Board consists of five civilian volunteer Commissioners who set overall policy while the Chief of Police manages the daily operations of the Department and implements the Board’s policies or policy direction and goals.

Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices and other auxiliary aids and/or services are available upon request. To ensure availability, all requests for reasonable accommodation must be made at least three business days (72 hours) in advance.

For more information, please call (213) 236-1400. 

Children's Car Seat Check-Up Event...

Be sure to sign up for the free Children's Car Check-Up at Northridge Hospital on February 25, 2012. 

The California Highway Patrol in coordination with Northridge Hospital Medical Center are hosting a Car Seat Check Up Day.

Saturday, Feb. 25
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
By appointment only. To make an appointment, call (818) 885-8500 ext. 3437.

Car seat check-ups teach parents and caregivers, hands-on in your own car how to correctly use a child’s car seat or seat belt. Trained and certified child passenger safety technicians work with parents to ensure car seats: have not been recalled; do meet federal safety standards; are installed correctly; are appropriate for the child's age, weight and height.  
 
Studies show 72% of children's car seats are not properly installed or used. California has new booster seat laws in effect as of January 1, 2012. Come learn about the new laws and the best ways to keep your children safe in the car.

Jewish Home of Los Angeles 8th Annual Poker Tournament...

Don't miss a fun evening of fun casion-style gaming to help raise funds for a great cause at the Jewish Home's 8th Annual Poker Tournament. 

Sunday, Jan. 29
11:00 am 
Braemar Country Club
4001 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana

There will be great raffle prizes, complimentary snacks and cocktails and more. The event raises funds for "The Executives," the San Fernando Valley Support Group for the Jewish Home of Los Angeles. 

RSVP by Jan. 23 to (818) 774-3374 0r Executives@JHA.org www.TheExecutives.org. Participants must be over 21 years old.

Grand (Re-) Opening of the Salvation Army Family Store...

Our Field Deputy Erik Richardson reports this week on a great event next week - the grand re-opening of the Salvation Army Family Store on Thursday, Jan. 19 in Canoga Park.

Thursday, Jan. 19
8:45 am - Ribbon Cutting
3:00 pm - Emergency Preparedness Press Conference
The Salvation Army
ARC Family Store
21375 Roscoe Blvd., Canoga Park

The Salvation Army provides crucial services to struggling families in our community. They provided nearly 60,000,000 meals to the hungry and 10,000,000 nights of shelter for people in need. Salvation Army Family Stores provide quality clothing, furniture and other goods to the community at bargain prices. They also offer a terrific solution for people looking to donate unwanted clothing, furniture and appliances so that they go to struggling families, rather than landfills.

They also provide valuable disaster relief and assistance services, by offering shelter, clothing and support to families that are affected or displaced by fire, floods, earthquakes and other disasters. To learn more about the Salvation Army’s Role in emergency services click here.

There will also be a press conference at 3:00 pm to discuss the new Salvation Army Canoga Park Community Disaster Preparedness Training, Warehouse & Distribution Center and the development of the Emergency & Disaster Communications Center.

Groups participating and offering information will include the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program,  Amateur HAM Radio, the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network, California Army National Guard, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The Rotary, Boy Scouts, Neighborhood Councils, Chambers of Commerce and The Great California ShakeOut.

For more information, call Nathan A. Wolfstein at (818)388-6664 or email NAW1111@aol.com.