Fire Chief Details City’s New Emergency Evacuation Plan

The City’s Fire Department, along with other city departments will soon exercise the Pasadena Evacuation Plan, which provides a framework for activities involved in conducting an evacuation during emergency situations such as wildfire, earthquakes, floods and other disasters. 

The Pasadena Evacuation Plan was initiated and led by the Pasadena Fire Department and supported by local area city departments.

“We expect in the next week, the city will move forward with the emergency manager position and under that person’s leadership, one of the top priorities would be to start exercising this plan,”  Fire Chief Chad Augustin said during the Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday.

“As we look into the future and exercise this plan, we will continue to update it and make sure it fits the needs of our community,” Augustin added. 

According to Deputy Fire Chief Timothy Sell, the plan will assist the city in providing exemplary service to the entire community by providing a framework that expedites the movement of persons and animals from a hazardous area during disasters.

The plan also provides templates for emergency communications that address assembly points, evacuation points and reunification centers.

The department originally came up with an evacuation plan for wildfire scenarios. But it eventually expanded the plan to also address other disasters. 

“We are constantly reminded that there are other events that may lead to an emergency evacuation,” Sell said. “Severe winds, floods, earthquakes, [hazardous materials release] and other disasters.” 

As seen in the fire department’s report submitted to the Public Safety Committee, the plan lists down actions to be taken by residents and relevant departments in the event of disasters. 

The plan divides the city into five zones based on evacuation risk. 

It also provides an evacuation map that will guide residents to the most appropriate assembly point, a shelter plan for the displaced and a reunification plan for families separated by evacuation, among other things.

Fire Chief Augustin regarded the plan as a living document. 

“In light of recent earthquakes, floods, and mud and debris flow we believe the timing of this is imperative.” 

Meanwhile, Mayor Victor Gordo during the meeting suggested that the fire department consider working with the county or with other cities in implementing the plan as he noted that it would be difficult to  transport people and animals during disasters. 

“We should think about working with the county and/or the city of Los Angeles to have mutual aid agreements not just for fire service and police but to also help one another with domestic animals and livestock,” Gordo said. 

The evacuation plan can be viewed here: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023-01-18-Public-Safety-Committee-Meeting-Agenda.pdf?v=1674076176117