Preparing for the Next Emergency

Representatives from the Sheriff’s Station, working in conjunction with community volunteers, have split Altadena into 11 emergency preparedness zones. When asked for specifics about the zone boundaries and other organizational questions, Seitz replied:

The zones are roughly based on census tracts, except that The Meadows is one zone, Chaney Trail/Millard Canyon is one zone, La Vina is one zone, and the Kinneloa/Sierra Madre Villa/Pasadena Glen area is one zone.  For all but Sierra Madre Villa, they have active Fire Safe Councils and/or are otherwise prepared.  Kinneloa doesn't have a Fire Safe Council, and they're not part of the Pasadena Glen Fire Safe Council, but they are very well prepared and organized.

The rest of Altadena is divided into zones that are, for the most part, close to the census tract boundaries for each area.

We will have an interactive map online soon, and the zone boundaries are still being manipulated or subject to change.

The Sheriff's Station and a group of dedicated volunteers are developing a neighborhood based preparation and response plan. We hope eventually that there will be regular meetings in each zone or better yet, in each neighborhood. We're still looking for CERT trained volunteers who want to be in service to the community and their own neighborhood, to be part of our planning process and who will be neighborhood leaders.

There is no structure or schedule for zone meetings as yet. This program is in its infancy, both in structure and implementation.

The next CERT Class will be held Saturday, July 14, from 8-5, at 515 N. Lake. Online registration here.

Seitz, by the way, answered these questions while on vacation in Alaska. Now that's dedication.