1

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the leading day

of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment? The LAFD understands that the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during Thanksgiving. That's why we are stressing the importance of kitchen safety, especially during holidays when there is increased activity and people at home. We hope the following points will help your family enjoy mealtime, while greatly reducing the chances of injury:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove-top to keep an eye on the food.

• Keep children 3 feet away from the hot stove.

• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.

• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip.

• Keep knives out of the reach of children.

• Be sure electric cords are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.

• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children—up high in a locked cabinet.

• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Nothing saddens a firefighter more than to see a child suffer a needless injury. We know many kids love to be involved in holiday preparations, therefore we encourage having activities that keep children out of the kitchen during this busy time. Games, puzzles or books can keep them engaged, or provide preparations with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen. We hope you safely enjoy the holidays with your friends and family, and share a good meal, conversation, and laughter.

Issue 5 Operations Valley Bureau Nov/Dec 2015

Proudly serving: Arleta, Bell Canyon, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, City of San Fernando, Encino, Granada Hills, Lake View Terrace, Mission Hills, Noho Arts District, North Hills, North Hollywood, Northridge, Pacoima,

Panorama City, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Sunland/Tujunga, Sylmar, Tarzana, Toluca Lake, Tujunga, Universal City, Van Nuys, Warner Center, West Hills, Winnetka, Woodland Hills.

10-MONTH PROGRESS REPORT By Deputy Chief Daryl Arbuthnott

We have experienced a very busy and successful 10 months here at Operations

Valley Bureau, and are poised to do even more in 2016. Our plan is to aggressively continue championing causes that directly improve your Bureau’s effectiveness and excellent service. Our interest is to vigorously pursue innovative avenues that support San Fernando Valley residents and business communities through education and information sharing. I make these commitments because I am immensely proud of the work we are doing to serve the Valley residents.

The Valley Public Safety Advisory Committee held its first meeting, September 30th, at Fire Station 87 in Granada Hills and it was a resounding success. This committee, made up of business professionals and other community stakeholders is an opportunity to ensure all are prepared in the event of an emergency. It was impressive of the level of commitment, dedication and vision provided by this group. Several Department challenges were discussed with the group providing great ideas. After a brief overview of the Fire Department’s operations, each member provided their thoughts and possible solutions to the many challenges facing LAFD’s Valley Bureau.

In the early months of 2016, we anticipate launching a second Valley Public Safety Advisory Group for the West Valley. Interested residents, business leaders, clergy, community activist or anyone interested in participating may contact the Operations Valley Bureau though our email address: lafd.valleybureau@lacity.org, by mail at 4960 Balboa Blvd, Encino CA, 91316, or click on our QR code on the back of this newsletter for an online submittal form.

BUREAU

COMMANDER

Deputy Chief

Daryl Arbuthnott

ASSISTANT

BUREAU

COMMANDERS

Assistant Chief

Trevor Richmond

Andrew Fox

Emile Mack

Gregory Reynar

TRAINING

OFFICER

Captain II

Richard Fields

EMS OFFICER

Captain I

Danny Wu

OFFICE

4960 Balboa Blvd.

Encino, CA 91316

818-728-9921

818-728-9931 Fax

Email: lafd.valleybureau

@lacity.org

HOLIDAY SAFETY

VALLEYVALLEYVALLEYViewViewView LLL AAA FFF DDD

2

CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL

Get rid of your tree after Christmas or when it becomes

dry. Dried-out trees are a dangerous fire hazard and should not be left in the home or placed outside. To recycle your Christmas tree please remove all tinsel, decorations and the stand. Cut the tree in half and place it in your LA City Sanitation green clippings container. If it does not fit, set it next to the green container curbside. The Bureau of Sanitation also operates 27 tree drop-off locations, 4 of which are at Valley fire stations below. Drop-off bins will be available from December 14 to January 18. Fire Station 28 Porter Ranch

Fire Station 77 Sun Valley

Fire Station 88 Sherman Oaks

Fire Station 106 West Hills

Remember that flocked trees cannot be recycled. Cut and place them in the black container. For more locations/info contact the Sanitation Call Center at (800)773-2489, Monday through Friday, 7:30am—4:45pm or 3-1-1, 7 days a week from 8am—4:45pm.

For additional information please visit:

http://www.lacitysan.org/tree-recycle.html

Los Angeles Fire Department

Holiday season candles are used in religious services, plac-

es of worship, and the home. Whether you are using one candle or many on a candelabra, kinara, or menorah, make sure you learn about how to use candles safely.

Candle Safety

• Candles should be placed in a sturdy candle holder.

• Handheld candles should not be passed from one person to

another at any time.

• When lighting candles at a candle lighting service, have the

person with the unlit candle dip their candle into the flame of the lit candle.

• Lit candles should not be placed in windows where a blind

or curtain could catch fire.

• Candles placed on, or near tables, altars, or shrines, must

be watched by an adult.

• If a candle must burn continuously, be sure it is enclosed in

a glass container and placed in a sink, on a metal tray, or in a deep basin filled with water.

Candles should be out of the reach of children and pets.

Young children should never hold a lit candle. Consider

providing battery-operated candles for children. A par-

ent should decide when a child is mature enough to light

a candle with adult supervision.

PREPARE NOW FOR THE NEXT DISASTER 5 STEPS TO NEIGHBORHOOD PREPAREDNESS

Even with El Niño on the horizon we never think a disaster will strike our neighborhood—or at least we hope it won’t! How-

ever it is not a question of if one will happen, but when. Fortunately the City of Los Angeles and its partner agencies have plans and resources ready to help! But with over 4 million people in the City, rescuers may not be able to provide immedi-ate support to every neighborhood in need. Neighbors should be prepared to help themselves from several days to weeks depending on the size of the disaster. Your Los Angeles Emergency Management Department has developed the “5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness program to educate and assist Angelenos on disaster preparation, mitigation, and recovery.

At the core of the award-winning 5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness program is a 5 Steps Toolkit which enables individuals to define their neighborhood, rally and engage community members, and build a customized disaster response plan. This toolkit is in-clusive of people with disabilities, whose primary language may not be English, and who may need extra help after a disaster—in order to help provide for the safety of all during an emergency. “All of us are greater than any one of us,” said James G. Featherstone, General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department. “The 5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness program is designed to empower communities to not only address the unique issues they may face in case of an emergency, but create a plan to manage an emergency situation safely and effectively.”

For more information on the Five Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness program, including the Five Steps Toolkit, or to reg-

ister for one of the four workshops, please visit: http://www.5steps.la

3

THE 2015 SPARK OF LOVE TOY DRIVE HAS BEGUN!

The men and women of your Los Angeles Fire Department have begun the 2015 "Spark of Love"

Toy Drive for needy children, and your help is needed!

Now through Christmas Eve, Los Angeles residents are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or sporting good to any Neighborhood Fire Station. Through your generosity, Spark of Love will provide joy to a child who might otherwise go without any gift this holiday season. To learn more about this program within the City of Los Angeles, please call (213) 847-3816.

FIRE STATION 7 GRAND OPENING

On Saturday, October 17th LAFD Fire Station 7 was officially opened at 14630

Plummer Street to serve the communities of Arleta, Panorama City, Mission Hills, and North Hills. The 8.8 million dollar station, built to LEED Silver environmental standards, replaces the smallest station in the LAFD—an old 65 year-old 2,100 square-foot fire station known affectionately as the “little house” at Nordhoff Street and Woodman Avenue whose engine rolled out of a former horse barn. The new 16,000 square-foot Craftsman-style station currently houses an engine and paramedic rescue for a total of six members, but is built to accommodate future firefighting apparatus and its additional staffing.

Officials, dignitaries, firefighters, and members of the public were welcomed to the beautiful new station by two ladder trucks hanging a supersized American flag to commemorate the event. Participants were treated to a day of speeches, dedications, fire station tours, hot dogs, music, and family fun. This is the sixth “Station 7” since the first opened in 1888 downtown, when Los Angeles was just a fledgling pueblo. The construction of the building was possible due to savings incurred while building 18 other fire stations from Proposition F, the fire and animal shelter facilities bond approved by voters in 2000. The improved facility will not only bring pride to the community it serves, but the San Fernando Valley as a whole.

Operations Valley Bureau

Councilmember Nury Martinez, LAFD Deputy Chief Arbuthnott, and Battalion Chief Klafta, LAPD Deputy Chief Green and other

dignitaries participate in Fire Station 7’s Grand Opening.

The old 2,100 square ft. station, with Engine 7 responding out of a former horse barn. The amazing new 16,000 square ft. fire station, with room for expanding resources.

FAST RESPONSE VEHICLE INCREASING SERVICE TO THE NORTHEAST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

After identifying a need for additional resources in the vast Northeast San Fernando Valley, the LAFD collaborated with

Councilmembers Felipe Fuentes and Bob Blumenfield to develop the first ever Fast Response Vehicle pilot program. “This trial program is another example of the LAFD working to find more efficient and effective ways to continually decrease response times and improve operational efficiency,” said Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas.

Fast Response Vehicle 401 is a quad-cab pickup truck/brush patrol that functions as both a first-response Advanced Life Support unit and fire-suppression vehicle. It represents an innovative temporary solution that improves service dramatically by reducing response times. A long term solution is currently being developed that will en-sure that residents in the Northeast San Fernando Valley receive the best service possible, and in a timely manner.

In its first day of service, the Fast Response Vehicle 401 responded to a grass fire in addition to handling many emergency medical incidents.

4

Operations Valley Bureau (OVB) encompasses the entire San Fernando Valley portion of Los Angeles. Battalions 10, 12, 14, 15 and 17 report to the Valley Bureau Commander, Deputy Chief Daryl Arbuthnott. The primary responsibility of Emergency Operations, which includes the OVB, is to direct, coordinate and control the line functions of the LAFD.

To request LAFD resources at public events (community fairs, school visits, etc.) , please send an email to LAFDrequest@lacity.org with the details of your event (date, time and duration, location, etc.).

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities.

For more information or to download a newsletter:

VALLEY BUREAU INSIGHTS

OPERATIONAL RESPONSE TIMES From Station Notification to Time On-scene

2015 September/October All Incidents

5 Minutes 20 Seconds

BATTALION 15 SPOTLIGHT Fire Station Number and Community Served

8 Granada Hill 87 Granada Hills

18 Knollwood/Granada Hills 96 Chatsworth

28 Porter Ranch 103 Northridge/Cal State Northridge

70 Northridge 107 Chatsworth

59 On-Duty Personnel Daily

VALLEYVALLEYVALLEYViewViewView LLL AAA FFF DDD

EVENTS Nov 11 VETERANS DAY

12 LAFD Foundation Awards Ceremony 11:30 AM The L.A. Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles

22 LA Valley Youth Fire Academy Graduation 10:00 AM Drill Tower 81, Panorama City

24 Drill Tower 81 Recruit Class 15-01 Graduation 10:00 AM Drill Tower 81, Panoroma City

25 HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Dec 3 El Niño Townhall Meeting 6:30 PM Granada Hills Recreation Center

13 Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association Annual Holiday Toy Drive 11:00 AM Gelson’s of Sherman Oaks

25 MERRY CHRISTMAS

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT OPERATIONS VALLEY BUREAU AT (818) 728-9921

S.A.V.E. CARD PROGRAM OFFERING RECOVERY ASSISTANCE

Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) is a new program established by the Califor-

nia Fire Foundation in collaboration with the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City that ena-bles first responders to offer immediate relief and comfort to victims of catastrophic loss due to fire or other natural disaster. Incident commanders on scene of a fire or other natural dis-aster will be able to provide $100 gift cards in some cases to those who have suffered a minimum of 25% damage to the property where they reside. This program works with other resources such as the Red Cross and Council District Offices to help families initiate the re-covery effort after an unfortunate incident.

Engine 89 presents a S.A.V.E. card to a displaced resident after a North Hollywood apartment fire. Councilmember Krekorian also assisted in providing a new car seat.

Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas and members from the United

Firefighters of Los Angeles City pose with this year’s “E-Awards” recipients. The annual awards luncheon

recognizes excellence in San Fernando first responders,

and is hosted by Councilmember Mitchell Englander at

the Odyssey restaurant in Granada Hills.

The E-Awards