Storm Preparedness Press Conference
By frhayes | February 13, 2009
On Friday, February 13, 2009 a News Conference with Mayor Foster, and representatives from Public Works, and the Fire and Police Departments was held at the Long Beach Emergency Communications Operations Center (ECOC). The purpose of this meeting was to inform residents of resources available citywide to protect their property, and how they can prepare for the severe rain storms that are projected to hit the area this weekend.
Mayor Bob Foster emphasized the need to prepare for the powerful storm that is projected to impact the Long Beach area starting on Saturday and continuing throughout the first part of next week. He pointed out that we are a “sea level” city at the base of two rivers and a flood control system that literally funnels tons of regional rainwater during storms. Since multiple areas in the city are prone to flooding, emphasis was also placed on taking advantage of the sand and sand bag distribution program provided in the city.
Assistant Chief Cady provided specific information on the sand bag program, including the fact that every fire station is a distribution center for up to Ten (10) sand bags for each resident of the city who visits their local station. He also gave the specific addresses of the four (4) fire stations where residents can go to fill their own sand bags. Information was also provided on the two locations available for the mobility impaired or seniors who can receive bags that are already filled with sand. The Long Beach Fire Departments (LBFD) capabilities were also discussed, including our deployment of swift water rescue teams. The dangers of high water areas, and fast moving water (flood control channels), was also pointed out to educate the public to stay away from these areas.
The Police Department cautioned the community to slow down and drive carefully, and to exercise a great deal of patience, and allow yourself plenty of time to get where you are going. They stated that they would make constant patrols of the flood control channels, and any other areas that could possibly become dangerous areas.
Public works reassured the media that they had taken as many pro-active steps as possible to attempt to prevent any severe flooding incidents throughout the city. All participants at the news conference pledged their support for all departments and agencies within the city to do the best possible job to protect the interests of the citizens of Long Beach.
Channel 2, 4, 7, Press Telegram, KFBW, Univision, and Telemundo news agencies were all in attendance, check times and listings to view portions of this news conference. The Press Telegram will cover this story in tomorrow’s edition.
Topics: News | 23 Comments »
Sand and Sand Bag Distribution Program with Storm Safety Information
By frhayes | February 12, 2009
With a significant storm bearing down on the region, residents and businesses are urged to prepare themselves for the possibility of significant rainfall.
The City is providing sand and sandbags. The public may pick up sand at four fire stations (listed below) and the City’s Public Service Yard. Sand bags are being provided at all neighborhood fire stations.
Residents must bring a shovel and fill their own sand bags; however, residents with mobility impairments, or seniors who need assistance can obtain filled bags at the Senior Center at El Dorado Park West, 2800 Studebaker Road, and the Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. 4th Street.
In addition, the City of Long Beach has prepared a list of important safety tips and emergency phone numbers for residents to access in the event of power outages, downed trees, flooding, etc. Emergency responders train and are prepared to respond to a disaster or other significant incident; however, residents are strongly urged to prepare themselves for a major emergency, with the goal of being able to be self-sustaining for at least 72-hours.
- In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
- Remember to slow down and drive carefully. Please exercise a great deal of caution and patience, and allow yourself plenty of time to get where you are going. Avoid large puddles and do not attempt to cross running water.
- Stay out of the LA and San Gabriel Rivers and Flood Control Channels due to possible high waters.
- Beach-goers are advised to avoid local waters for at least 72 hours after the end of rainfall due to the high bacteria and pollution levels from urban runoff.
- To report flooding or a clogged or blocked storm drain during business hours, please call 562.570.2726 or 562.570.3867 (DUMP). After-hours and on weekends, call 562.435.6711.
- To report a fallen tree or limbs, call 562.570.2770 during business hours, or 562.435.6711 after-hours or on weekends. For trees or limbs in city parks, call 562.570.4895 during business hours, or 562.570.3101 after-hours or on weekends.
- Fallen power lines are extremely dangerous. Report any downed lines to SCE immediately by calling 1.800.611.1911. Do not touch a downed line or anyone in contact with the line. Always assume a downed line is live. For more information, visit www.sce.com and click on the “Safety” tab.
- Individuals can monitor the weather on television news, including the Weather Channel 76 on Charter Cable; radio news stations such as KFI 640 AM or KFWB 980 AM; and websites such as www.noaa.gov. In the left hand column, insert a Long Beach zip code, and a local map and report will appear.
- This year, the City of Long Beach will provide free sand to residents at four Fire Stations. Residents must bring and use their own shovel (self-service) to get the sand, which is available in large bins outside the following four fire stations:
- Station No. 7 2295 Elm Ave.
- Station No. 12 6509 Gundry Ave.
- Station No. 13 2475 Adriatic Ave.
- Station No. 14 5200 Eliot St.
- Sand can also be obtained for free at the Public Works/San Francisco Yard, 1601 San Francisco Ave. (outside, next to the gate, on the Esther Street side).
- The City of Long Beach provides ten free sandbags to Long Beach residents and businesses with proper identification. Sand can also be obtained for a slight fee at local hardware stores. Please go to one of the following neighborhood fire stations to obtain your free sandbags:
- Station No. 1 100 Magnolia Ave.
- Station No. 2 1645 E. 3rd St.
- Station No. 3 1222 Daisy Ave.
- Station No. 4 411 Loma Ave.
- Station No. 5 7575 E. Wardlow Rd.
- Station No. 7 2295 Elm Ave.
- Station No. 8 5365 E. 2nd St.
- Station No. 9 3917 Long Beach Blvd.
- Station No. 10 1417 Peterson Ave.
- Station No. 11 160 E. Market St
- Station No. 12 6509 Gundry Ave.
- Station No. 13 2475 Adriatic Ave.
- Station No. 14 5200 Eliot St.
- Station No. 17 2241 Argonne Ave.
- Station No. 18 3361 Palo Verde Ave.
- Station No. 19 3559 Clark Ave.
- Station No. 22 6340 Atherton St.
- Sandbags will last as long as they don’t have a hole. If the bags are reusable, residents should keep them for the next major rainstorm. To discard, distribute sand in a flower bad or over a lawn, and then throw away the empty bags.
- Do not take sand from the beach. It is illegal to dump sand at the beach, in the gutter or in the storm drain system. Sand can be returned to the Public Works/San Francisco Yard, 1601 San Francisco Ave.
- For information on how to fill sandbags, visit ww.publicaffairs.water.ca.gov/information/sandbag.cfm
- Emergency Phone Numbers:
- Long Beach Gas & Oil Department, 562.570.2140
- Long Beach Water Department, 562.570.2390
- City Street Lights/City Light & Power Co., 888.544.4868
- Other Useful Information and Websites:
- American Red Cross, Greater Long Beach Chapter, www.greaterlongbeachrc.org, 562.595.6341
- https://firechannel.org/blog/
- Long Beach Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), www.longbeach.gov/fire/cert, 562.570.LBFD
- www.sce.com/Safety
Topics: Public Safety | 20 Comments »
North Long Beach Structure Fire
By Jackawa Jackson | February 11, 2009
On the evening of February 8, 2009 units from Long Beach Fire Department responded to 12 W. 47th Street to a report of a house fire. Upon arrival T11 found smoke coming from the rear 2nd floor of a large 2-story multi family dwelling. E11 and E9 made an aggressive interior attack on the second floor and held the fire to original room of origin. Truck 11 and Rescue 11 performed extensive roof ventilation in an effort to remove heat and dense smoke and allow the interior units to reach the seat of the fire. E12 checked the first floor for extension and searched for victims. Fortunately all tenants had vacated the residence prior to fire department arrival. This was a large approximately 5000 sq. ft. home that was separated by a common wall and housed two separate families. The American Red Cross was called to provide shelter for 10 people. No firefighters or civilians were injured during this incident.
Topics: Incidents | 23 Comments »
Port Dedicates New Security Headquarters
By JJohnson | February 10, 2009
On February 9th, 2009 Long Beach port officials and other dignitaries officially opened the Port of Long Beach Command and Control Center, which will serve as the Port’s Security Division HQ and as a coordination and communications hub for security agencies that protect the harbor complex.
Safety and security are top priorties at the Port of Long Beach, which is always updating its plan for continued business operations in the event of an emergency. It is estimated that a shutdown of the Port complex would cost the U.S. economy about $1 billion a day.
The 25,000 square-foot, $21 million facility houses the Port’s Security Division and serves as a base for the Harbor Patrol. A helipad caps the three-story structure, where approximately 125 people will be working.
The center is one of the first of its kind at a United States seaport — designed for the new, post-9/11, multi-layered approach to port security. It also centralizes all video surveillance of the Port and enhances communication among the many security agencies.
LBFD was on hand to help with the opening ceremony, utilizing Fire Boat 15 to do a water display.
Topics: News, Public Safety | 20 Comments »
Scaffolding Collapse on Broadway
By frhayes | February 9, 2009
On Monday, February 9, 2009 at 11:42 am, Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units responded to a report of a collapsed scaffolding at 235 East Broadway Avenue.
Upon arrival LBFD units found a five (5) story scaffolding that had collapsed on approximately eight vehicles causing varied degrees of damage. LBFD members searched all the vehicles to ensure that none of the vehicles was occupied at the time of the collapse. All vehicles were found to be “clear”; all workers were accounted for, with no injuries reported from this incident.
One of the foremen from the company that owned the scaffolding stated that they were working on the adjacent parking structure, and luckily, due to the rain, no workers were on the scaffolding when it collapsed. A large green tarp was on the scaffolding at the time of the incident, which may have contributed to the wind causing the collapse (The cause of the incident is undetermined and under investigation).
The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) closed Broadway Avenue from Pine Ave to Long Beach Blvd during primary operations. The LB Building Department responded to this incident. OSHA was notified, but since no injuries occurred, there was no response from this agency.
At approximately 1:00 P.M. the plastering company planned to remove the scaffolding from the damaged cars. LBFD and LBPD will work in cooperation with all departments and agencies involved with this incident, to ensure proper procedures and safety measures are adhered to, and that a full investigation is completed to determine the cause of the collapse.
E101, T1, R17, BC1, USAR6, E6, R1, DC1, CHIEF and PIO1 responded.
A total of 10 apparatus and 18 personnel responded to this call.
This incident occurred in council district #1
Topics: Incidents | 474 Comments »