USC & UCLA are getting ready...why aren't you?

Members of USC Fire & EMS help keep the campus of University of Southern California safe, prepared and ready for day to day needs as well as disaster preparedness.

USC Fire & EMS teach faculty and students how to use a CO2 Fire Extinguisher.

UCLA has one of the best EMS support and transportation systems in Los Angeles.

If you think about most college campuses, they are like a city inside of a city. Our neighborhoods can take note on how most college campuses are prepared for disaster. Everything from medical support (take a first aid class) to fire suppression and search/rescue. Your neighborhood will need to be able to operate as it's own "city inside of a city".

United On Line is united in preparedness

United On Line has had two training days recently that included both disaster preparedness and fire extinguisher training. Thank you to all of the United personnel who not only came to learn, but also treated me very well.
Knowing what to do when disaster strikes is one of the best insurance policies someone can have. What kills fear? Knowledge kills fear. Training supplies knowledge. Get in the know!

Woodland Hills and United On Line is prepared...are you?

It takes a village...

“It takes a village to raise a child”…This African proverb is true. The updated Los Angeles version of this proverb is: “It takes a village to survive a disaster”. When the long arm of disaster reaches and taps you on your shoulder, are you prepared?
The neighbors of the west Los Angeles community of South Carthay Street gathered this morning and put on their own disaster simulation. The scenario was a 7.8 earthquake and the focus was on search and rescue, triage, transport and treatment. The drill was an excellent opportunity to stretch their CERT muscles and unite their “village”.
KUDOS and thank you from this firefighter to the members of South Carthay Street for you courage and vision to help build a safer and more prepared Los Angeles.

What the heck is Phos Chek?

If you ever wanted to know what the red stuff that is dropped on brush fires is, it's called Phos-Chek. Phos-Chek is a fire retardant. Click this link to learn more.

http://www.phoschek.com/

Preparedness is a way of life...How are you living?

In light of the current events in Southern California this past week, the need to be disaster prepared should be clear. Your vision into the future should be 20-20. There is no excuse to not be proactive in the education, implementation and the maintenance of your disaster preparedness. The potential of wild fires, earthquake, mud slides, floods and terrorism is as assured as the potential of the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.

Red Flag...what does this mean?

The city of Los Angeles follows a warning system that alerts citizens of when weather conditions are in a high hazard rating. The high hazard conditions are when wild fires can start and spread rapidly. This is not to say that other days can't be hazardous, but when the wind exceed 25 mph and the humidity drops below 15% the city will issue a "RED FLAG" warning.

Red flag warning can also mean no parking on streets that have been determined to be vital for entry and access for emergency apparatus and evacuation. These high hazard areas can be identified by a number of outreach methods of education. Here are a few of the ways to determine if you are in one of these areas:

• call 311
• local radio and television stations (AM 980 & AM 1070)
• http://lafd.org/redflag/
• check with your local fire station as well as look for a "red flag" on the flag pole

If you do not live in the city of Los Angeles, check with your local fire authority and ask what can you do to be prepared, be informed and to be empowered.

Are you ready for brush fire?

Click on this link to connect with the Los Angeles Fire Departments Brush Clearance Unit Here you can find out about "RED FLAG", defensible space and requirements for the city of Los Angeles as well as increasing your preparedness IQ.

http://www.lafd.org/brush/