Westwood South of

Santa Monica Blvd.
Homeowners Association

 

Disaster Preparedness


2019
WESTWOOD SOUTH OF SANTA MONICA BLVD. HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
HAS A NEW WEBSITE! 
PLEASE VISIT:  WSSMHOA.ORG

This website is out of date and serves as an archive.

________________________________________

Oct. 2017

Emergency Preparedness Seminar presented by LAFD:   Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 2017 from 2-4 pm at Fire Station 59 on Olympic and Butler. It will be limited to 60
people and sign-ups will be via an Eventbrite link that will be set up soon.
If more than 60 people are interested a second session will be scheduled in 2018.  For more info, contact csaff@yahoo.com

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Good community organization is one important element of coping with disasters and emergency situations.  We know that in the event of a major "event" it is likely that an official response and/or support will not be available for a number of days.  We need to be prepared, not only in our own homes, but across the community. 

We want to be certain to have at least one block captain for each block in our community so that contact people can be reached if and when needed.    Know your block captain!   Hopefully, the captain will be able to prepare and maintain a current list of residents on the block, people in need of special assistance, etc. 

If your block does not have a captain or co-captains, consider volunteering to become your block contact person.   Contact Margaret Healy (thehealyfamily1@verizon.net) or Pat Tobias:  (pattobias@msn.com) .  Pat and Margaret can also tell you who your block captain is.

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  • CERT NEWS

    ENROLL IN THE NEXT LAFD CERT EMERGENCY

    RESPONSE TRAINING!                               

    .

    CERT (Community Response Emergency Team) teaches and empowers us -- ordinary citizens -- to safely and effectively respond to a disaster or a major emergency.  Training is provided free of charge.  The next class begins October 18 at UCLA.
     
     


    If you missed any of your CERT classes you may attend a session in another

    group to make up any missed classes.  Likewise, if you have taken a CERT class 

    but need to make up any classes, you may do so in this series.

     

    ----------------------------------

    Check www.cert-la.com for the dates and locations of upcoming classes
     and for the syllabus
    ------------------------------------

    WSSM Residents are invited to sign up for future CERT Trainings


    What is CERT?  The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

    program is an all-risk, all-hazard training. This valuable course is designed

    to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and your

    neighborhood in an emergency situation.


    CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations

    where citizens may initially be on their own and their actions can make a

    difference. While people will respond to others in need without the training,

    one goal of the CERT program is to help them do so effectively and efficiently

    without placing themselves in unnecessary danger. In the CERT training,

    citizens learn to:

    • manage utilities and put out small fires,
    • treat the three medical killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock,
    • provide basic medical aid,
    • search for and rescue victims safely,
    • organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective,
    • and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts.

    CERT members receive 17 ½ hours (one day a week for seven weeks) of initial

    training. The 7-week course is followed by full-day biannual refresher drills,

    and an opportunity to assist the LAFD at local incidents.

    CERT is provided free of charge within the city of Los Angeles to anyone 18 or

    over.

    Classes are taught mornings, afternoons and evenings continually throughout

    the year in locations all over Los Angeles.

    The current schedule is always available on the internet at

    www.cert-la.com/basic. You can search to find a class in your Battalion or

    Council District or classes that begin on a certain weekday. To register for a

    class, call the contact person to verify the date, time and location of the class.

    If the contact says you can't attend for any reason, send an email to

    cert-la@usa.net immediately.  If you miss a class, you can go to any other

    location to make it up. When you arrive at the make-up session, inform the

    instructor that you are making up a class.

    If you don't see a class near you, call the LAFD CERT Unit at 818-756-9674 or

    send an email and give them your name, phone number, zip code and

    community name. When a class is scheduled in your area, they will contact you.


    If you would like to sign up to participate in a future WSSM sponsored CERT

    training, or for more information, contact the WSSM Neighborhood Watch /

    Disaster Preparedness Coordinators:  Margaret Healy or Pat Tobias c/o WSSM:

    wssmhoa@gmail.com

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    WHEN THE WIND IS STRONGLY BLOWING......

    DWP strongly encourages the public to be vigilant and cautious to stay safe during

    wind storms. Stay away from any downed power lines and poles as well as

    downed trees and limbs, and protect children home from the

    same. Beware of traffic signals that may be affected by power outage and

    proceed with extreme caution. Allow access for uniformed LADWP crews, all of

    whom carry  Department-issued identification cards, so they may service

    infrastructure in need of repair. 

    IN THE EVENT OF A POWER OUTAGE:

    ·                                 Stay calm.

    ·                                 Have a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Don’t use candles in a power

          outage.

    ·                                 Turn off lights but leave one light turned on so you will know when your

          service is restored.

    ·                                 Turn off and unplug appliances and other electrical equipment. Unplug

          heat-producing items like irons and space heaters. This helps prevent circuit

          overloading, which could delay restoration of service.

    ·                                 Call us and report your outage at 1-800-DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397). 

          IF YOU ENCOUNTER A DOWNED POWER LINE:

    ·                                 Report any downed power lines immediately by calling the LADWP at

          1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). If you or someone else is in danger, call 911.

    ·                                 Do not touch a downed or dangling wire or anyone or anything in

          contact with it. Always assume a downed line is still energized.

    ·                                 If a power line falls on your car, stay in the car and wait for help. If you

          must get out, make sure you do not touch the metal parts of the car and the

          ground at the same time. The safest exit method is to open the door, stand on the

          door sill and jump free without touching the car.

    ·                                 Stay away from metal fences, such as chain link fence, as there may be

          a power line down and touching the fence somewhere beyond your sight.

    ·                                 If there is damage to the connection from the power pole to your house,

          you should go to the electrical box and turn off the main switch or shut off the f

          use switch. Again, always assume electric lines are live.

    ·                                 In case of an electrical emergency, stay calm and think before you act.

          Don't become a victim while trying to help others. Call 911.

    ·                                 If someone is shocked or not breathing, apply cardio-pulmonary

          resuscitation (CPR.) Then cover the victim with a blanket, keep their head low and

          get medical attention.


          ADVICE FROM THE LAFD:

         

    With the resumption of seasonal winds, the Los Angeles Fire Department reminds Southern Californian's to use caution at home, in the workplace and on the road.

    Strong winds compound wildfire danger. We therefore ask residents - especially those in foothill and wildland communities, to use caution with flame, heat and spark producing equipment, including vehicles, barbecues and power tools.

    Those living near flammable vegetation should remain vigilant to the possibility of brush or structure fires, and report nearby smoke and flames immediately to 9-1-1.

    Additional preparation, such as a fire safety survey of your property and a review of household emergency and neighborhood evacuation plans can help remove the apprehension that many of us feel when winds begin to blow.

    With the possibility of downed power lines causing local power outages, drivers should use extreme caution when approaching darkened traffic signals. Whether driving on a main thoroughfare or a side street, motorists should treat all non-functioning traffic signals as a four way stop.

    If you encounter downed wires, assume them to be energized and potentially lethal. Be careful that such wires haven't electrically charged puddles of water, chain link fences or other conductive sources.

    In many circumstances, but especially during high winds, firefighters discourage the use of candles, lighters, fire pits and fuel-powered lanterns.

    Now is a good time to fully charge your cell phone, check your flashlights, portable radios and spare batteries. Place these items strategically, and make sure others know how to find them. Before you activate a portable generator, make certain you know how to use a generator legally and safely.

    And finally, please take a moment now to secure household items, such as outdoor furniture, that could cause harm or damage if catapulted by a wind gust, and to remove flammable items from around your home.

    When outdoors, be careful for toppling trees, wind-blown debris or high profile vehicles buffeted by turbulent wind. If you must get behind the wheel, Los Angeles Firefighters remind you: "
    Heads Up, Easy on the Throttle and Expect the Unexpected!"


    405 Freeway Closure update and

    emergency contact info is posted on the

    TRANSPORTATION PAGE of this website!

     


    City of L.A. CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM NOW RECRUITING! 

    Crisis Response Team (CRT) members are community volunteers who respond to traumatic incidents and provide immediate on-scene crisis intervention to victims and their families affected by a death, a violent crime or other traumatic incidents.   These include homicides, suicides, serious traffic accidents, natural deaths and multi-casualty incidents. 

    The CRT program is managed by the Mayor's Office of Homeland Security & Public Safety.

    Topics  covered in CRT trainings include:

    *Police & Fire on Scene Protocol w/ Police Detectives & Fire Personnel.

    *Hospital Emergency Rooms Environment w/ E.R. Social Workers.

    *Victims of Crime Programs with City & County Victim Assistance Programs and the County Coroner.

    *Suicide Aftermath Support w/ Suicide Prevention Center.

    *The Grief Process in Adults and Children w/County Dept. Mental & LAUSD
    Mental Health
    - Traumatization & Crisis Intervention Principles and Skills.

    *Skillful Listening & Sacred Silence w/ Skilled Experts.

    *Diverse Populations: Working with the Elderly and People with Disabilities.

    *Cultural & Religious Diversity.

    *Taking Care of Yourself/Secondary Traumatization w/ CRT Mental Health.

    If you would like additional information or have an interest in participating in a future training for CRT volunteers, contact  Jeffrey Zimerman, CRT manager at lacrt@lacity.org.   

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    Take time to visit these resources on earthquake preparation and safety .  A 2008 study has forecast a 99.7% chance of an earthquake the size of the Northridge Earthquake or larger anytime during the next 30 years.  The recent earthquake in Japan should serve as a reminder to us all of the potential for disaster and the need for good preparation.

    Visit http://www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/seven_steps.html for tips on how to prepare, protect, and recover.

    The safest thing to do during an earthquake is "Drop, Cover, and Hold On," as described at http://www.earthquakecountry.info/dropcoverholdon.

    For information about how to create a disaster supplies kit, with suggestions for what to include for pet owners, please visit

    http://www.scec.org/education/public/espfocus/Apr_06.pdf.


    For information about the annual SHAKEOUT preparation drill, visit the website located at:  www.shakeout.org

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    The following vendors sell emergency

    preparation supplies.  WSSM does not

    endorse or recommend any of these

    sources (whose info was taken from the

    City's CERT website):

    American EHS, Inc.
    www.first-aid-product.com
    449 Santa Fe Dr. Suite 127
    Encinitas, California 92024
    Phone: 1-760-944-1048
    Email: info@first-aid-product.com




    Quantum Packs
    www.Quantum Packs.com
    Phone: 801-479-0209
    E-mail: impressn@relia.net

    Prepare Smart
    www.preparesmart.com
    425-881-5354
    E-mail: help@preparesmart.com

    ProPac, Inc.
    www.cert-kits.com
    2390 Air Park Rd.
    Charleston, SC 29406
    Toll Free: 1-800-345-3036
    Fax: 1-888-877-6722
    Email: propac@propacusa.com

    Rite in the Rain
    CERT notebooks that are rain impermeable.
    www.riteintherain.com


    Local Supplier
    SOS Survival Products
    www.sosproducts.com
    15705 Strathern St. Unit 11
    Van Nuys, California 91406
    Toll free: 1-800-479-7998
    Fax: 1-818-909-0360
    Email: sos-info@sosproducts.com

    Tri-Combines Resources, Inc.
    www.tcr-online.com
    P.O. Box 25307
    Salt Lake City, Utah 84125
    Phone: 1-801-975-7650
    Fax: 1-801-975-9741
    Email: tcr@micropor.com

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    The local WLA Community Police Station sells earthquake kits for a $77 and uses the proceeds to help support the youth programs of the LAPD. Contact the WLA Community Relations staff for more info. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    7 Steps to Earthquake Safety


    Earthquakes are inevitable, but damage from them is not! Most earthquake damages and losses can be reduced by steps you take before, during, and after.

    There are seven steps that can help you prepare your home, school, and workplace for our next earthquake...

    Get Prepared for Earthquakes:

    • Do a “hazard hunt” for items that might fall during earthquakes and secure them.
    • Create a personal or family disaster plan.
    • Organize or refresh your emergency supply kits.
    • Identify and correct any issues in your home’s structure.
    • Other actions are at www.earthquakecountry.org.

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