Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Fire officials give emergency ideas
Council hears suggestions on disaster-preparedness from chief, and then members offer some suggestions of their own.
By Jeremy Oberstein
CITY HALL ? Though the October wildfires that tore through Malibu, San Diego and other California communities did not touch Burbank, their fiery paths left a mark on officials in the city who took the opportunity to appraise Burbank?s disaster preparedness.
On Tuesday, officials presented its disaster-preparedness plan to the City Council in case a fire, earthquake or other disasters ? natural or man-made ? befall the city.
?Due to the extensive and graphic media coverage of the destruction [from fires], these disasters have heightened citizen awareness of the importance of disaster preparedness,? Fire Chief Tracy Pansini said. ?While the planning for emergencies can and does vary based upon the nature of the threats faced by a community, the concepts are identical: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.?
Some details of Burbank?s emergency plan and awareness strategies include using all forms of citywide communication in the event of a disaster, including streaming messages on Channel 6 and distributing literature to ?increase preparedness awareness information and targeting specific audiences, such as seniors, youth and the business community,? Pansini said.
Interagency communicating is also a component of Burbank?s plan, including communication between Burbank?s Fire and Police departments and countywide emergency departments, he said. <TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
The council did not approve any extra measures for the city?s disaster preparedness and awareness plan, but the budget for the city division that governs disaster preparedness sits at about $296,000, according to city staff reports.
They did, however, recommend that the city implement a citywide text-messaging program for emergencies.
?It?s critically important that in an emergency, some sort of text message goes out,? Councilman David Gordon said. ?But it?s important that the message come from a trusted official,? he added. ?We don?t want any looting or anything like that. It?s important to get the right information out to people.?
Gordon supported a voluntary or, if necessary, mandatory sign-up for residents? cellular phone numbers in Burbank.
Mayor Marsha Ramos said the plan, in general, has room for improvement ?in areas where enhancement opportunities are available, including public education, supplies, training and planning.?
The council directed Pansini to take its recommendations back to the Fire Department, where he will consider implementing them along with any other budget additions that might result.
http://www.burbankleader.com/articles/2008/02/27/publicsafety/blr-emergency27.txt
By Jeremy Oberstein
CITY HALL ? Though the October wildfires that tore through Malibu, San Diego and other California communities did not touch Burbank, their fiery paths left a mark on officials in the city who took the opportunity to appraise Burbank?s disaster preparedness.
On Tuesday, officials presented its disaster-preparedness plan to the City Council in case a fire, earthquake or other disasters ? natural or man-made ? befall the city.
?Due to the extensive and graphic media coverage of the destruction [from fires], these disasters have heightened citizen awareness of the importance of disaster preparedness,? Fire Chief Tracy Pansini said. ?While the planning for emergencies can and does vary based upon the nature of the threats faced by a community, the concepts are identical: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.?
Some details of Burbank?s emergency plan and awareness strategies include using all forms of citywide communication in the event of a disaster, including streaming messages on Channel 6 and distributing literature to ?increase preparedness awareness information and targeting specific audiences, such as seniors, youth and the business community,? Pansini said.
Interagency communicating is also a component of Burbank?s plan, including communication between Burbank?s Fire and Police departments and countywide emergency departments, he said. <TABLE align=left><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
advertisement
</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- AdSys ad not found for publicsafety:instory --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Community volunteers are also a component, including disaster volunteers that help city emergency departments improve Burbank?s response to disasters.The council did not approve any extra measures for the city?s disaster preparedness and awareness plan, but the budget for the city division that governs disaster preparedness sits at about $296,000, according to city staff reports.
They did, however, recommend that the city implement a citywide text-messaging program for emergencies.
?It?s critically important that in an emergency, some sort of text message goes out,? Councilman David Gordon said. ?But it?s important that the message come from a trusted official,? he added. ?We don?t want any looting or anything like that. It?s important to get the right information out to people.?
Gordon supported a voluntary or, if necessary, mandatory sign-up for residents? cellular phone numbers in Burbank.
Mayor Marsha Ramos said the plan, in general, has room for improvement ?in areas where enhancement opportunities are available, including public education, supplies, training and planning.?
The council directed Pansini to take its recommendations back to the Fire Department, where he will consider implementing them along with any other budget additions that might result.
http://www.burbankleader.com/articles/2008/02/27/publicsafety/blr-emergency27.txt