Info Releases

From FEMA: Building Safety Month is a month-long celebration of all aspects of building safety to help families, employers, and leaders understand and appreciate the best practices that keep the places where we live, work and play safe. The campaign is presented by the International Code Council and its 50,000 members worldwide, along with a diverse partnership of professionals from the building construction, design and safety community.

EMD MicroBlog - Pledge to Prepare – Sign up for AlertLA; Hear the Warning with NOAA Weather Radio; Be an example. During this preparedness week we ask you to be a force of nature – Know your risk (visit emergency.lacity.org and select LA Emergencies and Threats); take action and be an example; share your resource information with your viewers, subscribers, community, friends, family, coworkers, and others. EMD MicroBlog link is below:

LOS ANGELES (Mon., Dec. 19, 2011) – The Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Administrator John Fernandes announced that his office will provide support to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center. An OEM representative will be on site to serve as a Point of Contact for the L.A. County Operational Area (comprised of 88 cities, 137 unincorporated areas and more than 200 special districts) and its partners while the center is open.

The Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, Office of Emergency Management (OEM) announces the activation of the 211 LA County Disaster Hotline (1-800-980-4990) for residents to report damages caused by the recent wind storm event.

LOS ANGELES (THURSDAY DECEMBER 1, 2011) - At 0930 hours the City of Los Angeles activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) due to the high wind event and Citywide Red Flag Alert. The damaging winds have resulted in fallen trees, power outages, traffic signal outages and downed power wires and transformers throughout the City. The activation of the City’s EOC will allow the City to focus and coordinate its response and resources in addressing the Citywide damage caused by the winds. The National Weather Service has advised the high wind warning to remain in effect until Friday morning. The City’s EOC will remain activated for the duration of the wind warning. City residents can call the City’s 3-1-1 call center to report any non- emergency wind related problems. The 3-1-1 Call Center will be open 24-hours during the wind event. Call 9-1-1 to report any wind related emergencies or the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (800.342.5397) to report downed power lines and power outages. Persons with access and functional need and persons with disabilities * People with disabilities who are experiencing power outages and use durable medical equipment that requires power should contact LA DWP directly at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). * People with disabilities who are experiencing difficulties due to debris on sidewalks, or other barriers and mobility access issues should contact 311 to request removal assistance and services. * People with disabilities, older adults and others reliant on power for medications or using durable medical equipment should contact their support service providers and be prepared for power outages and cold weather, and should heed all emergency warnings from emergency responders. Food Safety Following a power outage, steps should be taken to determine which food from the refrigerator or freezer is safe to keep or must be discarded. * Follow these recommendations to avoid food borne illness. * Generally, food in the refrigerator is safe as long as the power outage is short. Food can be held in the fridge for a few hours if, while the power is out, the doors to the fridge and freezer are kept closed to maintain coldest possible temperatures. * If a power outage lasts several hours, it is best to throw away perishable food items such as meat, dairy products and eggs. * Items that have defrosted in the freezer should be thrown away. * Do not re-freeze thawed food. * All other food items should be inspected to ensure safety. If in doubt, throw it out.