New Policies on Firefighting Announced at
Town Hall
• Authorities Emphasize Need for
Personal Preparedness and Self-Reliance during Crises
While over a thousand fires burned in
Northern California, Malibu residents came together
with fire officials, city personnel and other governmental
representatives to talk about fire safety in the aftermath of
the three local fires last year.
Homeowners learned that some changes have
already been implemented while firefighters and authorities
prepare for the next probable disaster.
Los Angeles County Chief P. Michael Freeman
announced that water-dropping helicopters will now
automatically be dispatched at night to fight fires. He
explained in the past it was a decision made on a
selective basis. Freeman said fixed wing craft would still be
relegated to flying only during daylight hours.
The fire chief also announced that there
will be increased predeployment of firefighters.
“Firefighting response is much of a race,” he
said, as he explained how high winds and exceptionally dry
vegetation created flying embers that managed to get ahead
of the fire line and burn homes.
Freeman showed video clips of the two most
recent Malibu fires that demonstrated how flying embers
sometimes ignited ornamental vegetation, thereby dooming some
homes to ashes. “Ornamental plants can be a major
contributor,” he noted.
Besides the emphasis on brush clearing,
Freeman said it is equally important to look at structures to
determine if there are small openings where embers can lodge
during a firestorm.
Freeman, as well as city officials and the
sheriff, emphasized that lives are the top priority.
Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich, who had
spearheaded the town hall, agreed. “Property can be
replaced, people cannot,” she said.
Conley Ulich was blunt about how residents
should respond, “Trust in self reliance, you cannot
depend on the government.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca
emphasized there were at least four things that needed to be
done better. “We must get better at mass communication,
restricting access in hazardous areas, protection of
utilities and have an evacuation plan,” he said.
Baca also talked about mandatory
evacuation. “We do not issue orders arbitrarily. What if
you stay? We do not have time to make arrests, but we prefer
you leave. If you do stay, you will be in a closure. You may
need supplies for two to four days. At the end of the closure,
shops may still be closed. If you leave, fire and police will
not let you back in,” he added.
The city’s emergency
preparedness coordinator, Brad Davis, said the city began
immediately to change things after the lessons learned during
the fire.
He said the notification system has been
upgraded. The survival guide is finished and mailed out.
“We will have more Red Cross shelters,” he added.
Davis introduced a local resident who has
spearheaded neighborhood plans. Cindy Vandor of Malibu West
spoke about how the canyon subdivision has become cognizant of
grants and help that can be obtained from various outside
agencies.
She said the neighbors want to make sure
the edge of the subdivision that is surrounded by wildlands is
clear of vegetation, and that residents understand the need for
an adequate water supply.
