County Unveils Measures to Keep Order : Emergencies: Officials say they do not expect trouble. Strategy includes reviving trauma hospital system.

Saying that they do not expect another riot but are prepared if there is one, Los Angeles County officials outlined a series of emergency measures Thursday that they could take in the event of violence after the verdicts in the Rodney G. King civil rights trial.

County Department of Health Services officials have prepared an emergency program that would require all hospitals to accept injured patients brought in by paramedic crews--a temporary revitalization of the county’s ailing trauma system.

Other county agencies have developed plans to increase security at parks, to provide for mental health needs of riot victims and to distribute welfare checks in the event that mail deliveries are stopped.

“Based upon the experience of last year, we want to ensure that if there is a repeat we are able to handle it quickly and efficiently with the least amount of confusion,” said Virginia Hastings, director of emergency medical for the health department.

At a news conference, Board of Supervisors Chairman Ed Edelman joined Sheriff Sherman Block and other county officials in outlining plans for additional law enforcement protection and other contingency measures.

“Although we do not have an indication of significant problems, we are prepared to deal with them should they arise,” Block said. He added that the county’s Emergency Operations Center in East Los Angeles will be opened as soon as jury deliberations begin. He also described plans to put 2,000 uniformed deputies on the streets, 1,000 at a time, working 12-hour shifts when the verdicts come in.

The judge has told the jury it may get the case today, but observers say proceedings could run into the weekend.

Block said he and other officials had contacted the federal judge in the civil rights case to request a delay in the reading of the verdicts that could give authorities time to prepare for possible violence.

“We expect to receive a three-hour notification prior to the rendering of the verdict,” Block said.

In a radio interview, Los Angeles Police Chief Willie L. Williams echoed Block’s comments.

Edelman said he and other county officials are likely to be at the Emergency Operations Center sometime after the verdicts are announced. Edelman said he is prepared to use his emergency powers to declare a curfew in all unincorporated communities and in all 88 cities in Los Angeles County.

As board chairman, Edelman also has the power to declare a temporary halt to gasoline and alcohol sales--although he said he hoped that would not be necessary.

“There is no justification, none whatsoever, for any act of violence . . . because one disagrees with the verdict,” Edelman said. “This is the wrong way to take out a disagreement . . . to injure, maim, riot or loot.”

County officials said they have spent several weeks preparing strategies to cope with potential post-verdict violence.

The Health Services Department has developed a plan to gather medical personnel at staging areas in the event that rioting makes traveling to public health facilities dangerous. Health workers would be escorted to hospitals.

Hastings said the opening of all hospitals to paramedics is similar to an action taken during last year’s riots, when Inglewood’s Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital was overwhelmed with patients.

That resulted in a backup in the emergency response system. If there is a repeat of violence, Hasting said: “We want to try and keep the 911 system flowing as well as possible.”

Officials are also prepared to deploy additional security officers at probation offices, said Mike Henry of the chief administrative office. In last year’s riots, some ex-convicts attacked probation offices in the mistaken belief that they could destroy criminal records.

Officials at the Department of Public Social Services are ready to place in effect an emergency housing plan if people are left homeless by rioting and arson. Carol Matsui, a department spokeswoman, said officials are prepared to close welfare offices in the event of rioting.

Welfare officials also met Thursday morning with representatives of the U.S. Postal Service to develop plans for delivering welfare checks if mail service is suspended in riot-affected areas, something that occurred last year.

At the Department of Mental Health, the 350 workers of Project Rebound are ready to address the emotional needs of those who could be caught up in another violent social explosion.

“We’re been preparing for a couple of months,” said Dr. Patricia Mendoza, project director.

County and city officials are counting on U.S. District Judge John G. Davies to give them a head start on their preparations.

During an hourlong question-and-answer session Thursday on KABC radio, Williams said the judge “has been very, very cooperative.”

The chief also said his troops are on edge as the verdicts near: “They are men and women, they are mothers and fathers, they are sons and daughters. They are nervous, and my job is to try to relax the men and women in blue, as well as the men and women who live in this community.”

Williams said morale in the LAPD still “has not come up significantly” in the wake of the videotaped beating.

Times staff writer Eric Malnic contributed to this story.

Rumor Hot Lines Officials have set up three hot lines for callers to inquire about rumors of possible civil unrest in the aftermath of the Rodney G. King civil rights trial. (800) 2-GOTALK: Sponsored by the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission.

(818) 345-1091: Staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until King trial verdicts are announced. Hours will extend to at least 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. after the verdicts. Sponsored by Los Angeles Councilwoman Joy Picus.

(310) 548-7637: Staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours may be extended to 9 p.m. Sponsored by Los Angeles Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores.