While Pacific Palisades fared well compared to other parts of Los Angeles during the latest round of rains last week, storm-related street closures and power outages earlier this month were a stark reminder of the community’s vulnerability.
Residents were virtually trapped on Dec. 2 during a six-hour closure of PCH that congested freeways and other routes in and out of the Palisades.
Fire officials say that the Palisades will be cut off for several days should a powerful earthquake strike Los Angeles, so people need to be ready.
LAFD Battalion Fire Chief Antoine McKnight expressed this reality during a disaster preparedness talk and presentation in early December.
McKnight told a group of about 40 residents at a Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting that should an event like “The Big One” or another major disaster strike, residents must be prepared to be self-reliant.
Palisadians shouldn’t even bother going to their local fire stations as crews at each of the city’s stations, including Fire Station 69 and 23, will deploy immediately, he said.
The crews will drive along specific routes to assess the damage and scope of the disaster, McKnight explained.
LAFD would then use this information to determine the most critical needs, including where and how many resources to deploy to specific areas.
“The stations will be empty,” McKnight said. “Don’t expect to go there and find someone.”
McKnight said people need to have enough resources, such as potable water, for several days as water and power infrastructure would likely get damaged.
Scott McKay from the City’s Emergency Management Department also spoke at the meeting.
McKay talked about a local first model where neighbors come together to help each other get through a catastrophe.
“The first step is defining your area,” he said. “You know your neighborhood. You know who needs help.”
McKay said this is the time to get together and meet neighbors and define the area your disaster plan will cover.
When disaster strikes, “find your group and start your planning,” McKay said.
Take note of what special needs some people may have and also what skills some, such as nurses and doctors, could offer during a disaster, he explained.
McKay went through all of the five steps in the program but always emphasized community and the importance of working with neighbors.
His words resonated with at least one person from the audience. Days later at a Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association meeting, Steve Boyers said that he will be organizing a block party with other neighbors in order to get better acquainted.
“We are especially at risk here in the Canyon,” Boyers said, stressing the need for neighbors to collaborate.
Boyers told the association that for the time being he is trying to organize people on his block before trying to galvanize other areas.
“We’ll see how it goes,” he said.
THE FIVE STEPS
The City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department has identified the following 5 steps for neighborhood disaster planning:
1. Define your area.
2. Recruit leaders.
3. Scout your area.
4. Build your team.
5. Plan your approach
To learn more about the 5step program and free workshops they offer visit 5steps.la.
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