Neighborhood Council Emergency Preparedness Alliance

For latest agenda go to:

NCEPA

From: commissionerlenshaffer@gmail.com
Date: December 21, 2024 at 6:34:50 PM PST
To: Leonard Shaffer <commissionerlenshaffer@gmail.com>
Subject: NCEPA December meeting and CERT issues

Hi NCEPA Representatives and Stakeholders,

I hope all is well with everyone.

Because of the holidays, the NCEPA will not be meeting on December 28^th. The next meeting will be on January 25, 2025. If all goes as planned, we will have representatives from the DWP discussing how they expect to cope with episodes of extreme heat. I expect they will address both the local grid and the transmission systems that feed the grid.

Because we will not be meeting, I think we should address an issue that was discussed at our November meeting. We were told that due to budget constraints some or all of the current CERT instructors may be transferred to other LAFD units. If that happens there certainly be an effect on CERT training classes after March or April of 2025. We don’t know what might happen to the Call Out teams if the CERT unit is loses staff or is disbanded. Because CERT training has a major impact on emergency preparedness throughout L.A. I would like to suggest that the Neighborhood Councils consider addressing this issue by agendizing the following motion:

“The (Neighborhood Council) strongly supports the successful LAFD Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. The CERT program trains community volunteers in best practices and how to respond in the event of earthquakes and other disasters. CERT trained volunteers are prepared to help themselves, their neighbors and their communities when an emergency happens, thus allowing the LAFD to concentrate their efforts in highest-need areas. CERT volunteers also consistently support the LAFD’s responses to their routine activities. This is especially critical during emergencies. Some CERT trained volunteers can and do continue their training in hopes of joining the ranks of the Call Out teams that are especially important during emergencies. So far this year the CERT unit has conducted the following trainings: 2,357 CERT students; 2,700 Hands-Only CPR students and 961 Fire Extinguisher students. A total of 940 hours of service has been performed by the CERT Call Out volunteers. Considering that we never know when a city-wide emergency might occur and considering that when it does the investment in the CERT program will contribute immeasurably to the resilience and recovery of the city, the (Neighborhood Council) urges the city leaders to continue funding the LAFD CERT program.”

The motion could be incorporated into a letter and sent to the Board of Fire Commissioners (either through the portal or at LAFDFireCommission@lacity.org),  LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley (kristin.crowley@lacity.org ), your City Councilmember, Mayor Bass and the Mayor’s local area representative.

Several Neighborhood Councils have already passed motions supporting the CERT program and noting its importance.

Once again, thanks for all you do for the city, and I hope to see you at the meeting in January.

Until then, everyone please stay safe and have a very happy holiday season and a good New Year.

Ljs

Commissioner Leonard Shaffer

Board of Neighborhood Commissioners

Leonard.Shaffer@lacity.org