Mayor Says Prepare as if for Earthquake

Declaring Los Angeles safe, Mayor James K. Hahn on Tuesday nonetheless urged all residents to prepare for the possibility of a terrorist attack as if they were preparing for a major earthquake.

Replenish disaster kits, join a volunteer emergency response team and give your child’s school updated contact numbers, the mayor and other city leaders advised at a news conference at Sherman Oaks Elementary School.

“The city is doing everything it can to be prepared, but residents should remain vigilant,” Hahn said. “If we are prepared for an earthquake, we will be prepared for almost anything.”

To deal with any biological threats, the staff of a hazardous materials squad in San Pedro was increased so it can operate full time, the mayor said. The city also has hazmat teams in Van Nuys and Chinatown.

A new pamphlet that suggests disaster supplies and contains city emergency numbers will soon be made available at city offices, fire stations and libraries.

A letter on emergency preparedness from Los Angeles Fire Chief William Bamattre will be sent to Los Angeles Unified School District students.

Residents also were encouraged to become involved with the Community Emergency Response Team program, which trains civilians to respond to disasters. Although 40,000 people have participated since the program began in 1987, only 3,000 to 4,000 are currently active, trainer Jim Harkins said. Volunteers also are needed for SafetyNet, another city program that provides crisis response teams and shows neighborhoods how to deal with a disaster until emergency personnel arrive.

Information on the emergency response program is available by calling (818) 756-9674. Information about SafetyNet is available at (888) CARE-4-LA. The Web site for the city’s Emergency Operations Organization is www.updatela.org.