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The Pasadena Fire Department held an El Niño Disaster Planning event last Thursday evening at the Fuller Theological Seminary.
The upcoming El Niño could bring heavy rains and severe storm conditions and the city of Pasadena is preparing for possible disasters, such as, floods, mud slides, and related emergency conditions (power outages).
The Pasadena Fire Department was there to explain that their mission is to keep the community and the environment out of harm’s way. However, they also had a few suggestions for how the community can help them as well.
Some key safety ideas: If you are driving your car and spot water on the road, do not try to drive through. The water levels can rise rapidly. Keep an emergency kit at your home and in your car. Your kit should include such item as: safety gloves, first aid kit, running shoes, warm clothing, flashlight, knife, duct tape, emergency food rations, water, and a reliable means of communication (for example a radio).
It is important to remember that during a disaster a power outage may occur and you will not have access to the Internet. The Pasadena Fire Department reminded the full house of guests to look at the information available on their websites now and emphasized the importance of being prepared.
Homeowners can prepare in many different ways. It is important to verify that drains and gutters are clean and clear of any debris and functioning properly. Roofs need to be inspected and loose items in the yard should be secured. Should you have to evacuate in a hurry, learn the safest and fastest route to high ground. It is also possible to purchase flood insurance in you live in a potential flood area.
After explaining what could be done to prepare, The Pasadena Fire Department proceeded to demonstrate how to fill a sandbag for use in blocking or diverting water from your home. The Linda Vista Fire Station 38, lead by Captain Hank Moreno, and Foothill Fire Station 37, are both currently providing free sandbags for the community (limit of 20 per person). For those interested please give a call before dropping by. Fire Station 38 is at (626) 744-4668 and Fire Station 37 is at (626) 744-4675.
The best all-around website for city El Nino information is: www.cityofpasadena.net/Fire/
The city also uses social media, including Twitter, to send out alerts in times of emergency:
www.twitter.com/PasadenaGov, @PasadenaGov
www.twitter.com/PasadenaFD, @PasadenaFD
www.twitter.com/PWPnews, @PWPnews
www.twitter.com/PasPD_News, @PasPD_News
A list of emergency phone number and web links includes:
Power outages — (626) 744-4673
Water outages — (626) 744-4138
Gas Company — (800) 427-2200
Citizen Service Center — (626) 744-7311
Fire Dept. Administration — (626) 744-7177
Police Non-Emergency Line — (626) 744-4241
www.cityofpasadena.net
www.cityofpasadena.net/
www.cityofpasadena.net/
www.cityofpasadena.net/
www.cityofpasadena.net/
NOAA El Nino web portal www.elnino.noaa.gov
Los Angeles County El Niño website www.lacounty.gov/elnino
Los Angeles County Alert System www.alertlacounty.gov
California Office of Emergency Services www.caloes.ca.gov
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