Earthquake Preparedness - Persons With Special Needs

Persons with Disabilities

Before an earthquake:

• Write down any specific needs, limitations, and capabilities that you have, and any medications you take. Make a copy of the list and put it in your purse or wallet.
• Find someone (a spouse, roommate, friend, neighbor, relative, or co-worker) to help you in case of an emergency. Give them the list. You may wish to provide a spare key to your home, or let them know where they can find one in an emergency.

During an earthquake:

• If you are confined to a wheelchair, try to get under a doorway or into an inside corner, lock the wheels, and cover your head with your arms. Remove any items that are not securely attached to the wheelchair.
• If you are able, seek shelter under a sturdy table or desk. Stay away from outer walls, windows, fireplaces, and hanging objects.
• If unable to move from a bed or chair, protect yourself from falling objects by covering up with blankets and pillows.
• If you are outside, go to an open area away from trees, telephone poles, and buildings, and stay there.

After an earthquake:

• If you are trapped, try to attract attention to your location.
• Turn on your battery-operated TV or radio to receive emergency information and instructions.
• If you can, help others in need.

Children's Needs

Fear is a normal reaction to danger. A child may be afraid of recurrence, injury, or death after an earthquake. They may fear being separated from their family or being left alone. Children may even interpret disasters as punishment for real or imagined misdeeds. Children will be less likely to experience prolonged fear or anxiety if they know what to expect before, during, and after an earthquake. Talking to children openly will also help them overcome fears.

Here are some suggestions:

• Explain that an earthquake is a natural event and not anyone's fault.
• Talk about your own experiences with natural disasters, or read aloud books about earthquakes.
• Encourage your child to express feelings of fear. Listen carefully and show understanding.
• Your child may need both verbal and physical reassurance that everything will be all right. Tell your child that the situation is not permanent.
• Include your child in clean-up activities. It is comforting to the child to watch the household begin to return to normal and to have a job to do.

NOTE: Symptoms of anxiety may not appear for weeks or even months after an earthquake, and can affect people of any age. If anxiety disrupts daily activities for any member of your family, seek professional assistance through a school counselor, community religious organization, your physician, or a licensed professional listed under "mental health services" in the yellow pages of your telephone directory.

LHHFD Encourages Wildfire Preparedness

The La Habra Heights Fire Department (LHHFD) recommends that all residents continually assess their emergency preparedness for wildfires. Serious drought conditions combined with an abundance of dry vegetation continues to plague much of California. 

Should a fire occur in the city, we encourage homeowners to evacuate early. Residents shouldn't wait for a formal evacuation order since doing so can clog our roadways making it difficult for firefighters to get into an area, delaying our firefighting efforts and threatening your neighbors.

Basic Safety Tips

• If you see a wildfire and aren't sure if the Fire Department is responding, call 9-1-1. Don't assume that someone else has already called.
• If ordered to evacuate during a wildfire, do it immediately- make sure and tell someone where you are going and when you have arrived.
• HAVE AN EVACUATION PLAN! Narrow streets create evacuation issues. Please use the most accessible route out of the city and don't blog roads for others evacuating or fire apparatus.
• Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications.To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.”
• If you or someone you are with has been burned, call 9-1-1 or seek help immediately; cool and cover burns to reduce chance of further injury or infection.

Fire Weather Watch

Fire weather watch = dangerous fire weather conditions are possible over the next 12 to 72 hours
Steps to Take

• Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
• High Hazard Watchouts! When together - Low Humidity (Under 15%), High Winds (25+)
• Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
• Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Prepare Your Home

• Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
• Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
• Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
• Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

After a wildfire

Returning Home

• Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
• For several hours after the fire, maintain a "fire watch." Check and re-check for smoke, sparks or hidden embers throughout the house, including the roof and the attic.
• Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still exist, including hot spots, which can flare up without warning. Evacuate immediately if you smell smoke.

Cleaning Your Home

• Wear a NIOSH certified-respirator (dust mask) and wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.
• Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
• Do NOT use water that you think may be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, or to make ice or baby formula.
• Photograph damage to your property for insurance purposes.

Before Wildfire season- Make a Wildfire plan

• Know your wildfire risk.
• Make a wildfire emergency plan.
• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to evacuate.
• Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio, for weather updates, emergency instructions or evacuation orders.

Los Angeles County Fire Conducts Wildland Fire Training in La Habra Heights

On June 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th, from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the La HabraHeights, Los Angeles County, and other local fire departments will be conducting wildland firefighter training on the west side of La Habra Heights. Residents may see a large commitment of fire apparatus, including helicopters operating in the area.

Over the past few months, the La Habra Heights Fire Department has been hosting joint Wildland Firefighter training in La Habra Heights with other local fire departments. This training improves our preparedness, interoperability and communications that will be used successfully mitigate emergencies and save lives and property.

La Habra Heights Firefighters Learn About the Fatal "Hacienda Fire" in 1955

During our recent Wildland Training, La Habra Heights firefighters were given a history lesson on the dangers of wildland firefighting as well as how these tragic events shape future firefighting tactics and safety procedures.

On September 2, 1955, Los Angeles County Fire Captain Glenn E. Rockey was killed on this La Habra Heights hillside during the "Hacienda Fire". The fire also took the lives of five young members of the Los Angeles County Probation Forestry Camp 5-1, and severely burned seven others.  Fire investigators mark the spots where some of the men were killed. (Los Angeles County Fire Department Historical Archives)

Almost 57 years after he was killed, the heroic efforts of Captain Glenn E. Rockey to save the lives of other Firefighters was finally recognized.  Los Angeles County 2012 Valor Awards: 
  

La Habra Heights Fire Department Hosts 2016 Wildland Training

 

In April, 2016, the La Habra Heights Fire Department had the privilege of hosting the "Area E" regional wildland firefighter training in the Heights. Firefighters from La Habra Heights joined with firefighters from Compton, Santa Fe Springs, Vernon, and Downey fire departments. We spent 3 days in a combined classroom and field exercise training sessions, designed to enhance our ability to support each other during the upcoming wildfire season.

 

 

Fire Chief Doug Graft from La Habra Heights shared his 38 years of knowledge and experience in wildland firefighting operations during the presentation. This presentation included a discussion of the 1955 "Hacienda Fire" in La Habra Heights which killed 5 firefighters and a Los Angeles County Fire Captain during an entrapment.

 

Firefighters then caravanned thru the Heights to a remote location to practice working together; extending nearly a thousand feet of hoseline and pumping.

 

Firefighters were able to practice deploying fire shelters in simulated wind conditions.

 

In all, over 100 firefighters from local mutual aid fire departments participated in this training. Residents can expect to see other local and regional mutual aid fire departments, who are likely to support La Habra Heights in our firefighting operations, conducting pre-fire training and planning. In addition, command staff from La Habra Heights is working  with allied agencies to improve communication among their command staff.

Firefighter Paramedic Job Opportunities

The City of La Habra Heights Fire Department is currently accepting applications for Part-time Paid Firefighter Paramedics. This position is not an auxiliary or additional Firefighter on duty. This is a Firefighter Paramedic position assigned to an engine company responding to 911 calls.

The La Habra Heights Fire Department is comprised of 100+ personnel, providing Fire and Paramedic 911 services to the community. La Habra Heights is a community of residential homes in rolling hills and valleys. The La Habra Heights Fire Department is the primary 911 provider for the city and surroundings auto/mutual aid areas.

Firefighter Paramedics work an average of one 24 hour shift per week (0630-0630), with an opportunity to work additional shifts. They perform the duties of a Firefighter Paramedic on an engine company. Firefighter Paramedics currently receive $10 per hour, and are limited to working 960 hours per year. Firefighter Paramedics are not eligible for city benefits.

Minimum Qualifications for Firefighter Paramedic:
- Completion of a CA state certified Firefighter I academy within the last 3 years or FF1 certification.
- Hold a current certification as a paramedic in ALS through the State of CA with Accreditation in Los Angeles County as an EMT-Paramedic within 30 days of the date of hire.
- Current CPAT or Biddle.
- Have a valid CA Class C Driver’s License and are able to complete a Firefighter Endorsement within 1 year of employment (Preference given to OSFM Driver/ Operator certified).
- Must have a satisfactory driving record clear of misdemeanor convictions and have no felony convictions.
- Able to work an assigned shift; averaging 24 hours per week.

Applications will be accepted on a continual basis for openings that arise throughout the year. Qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews when positions open.
If you feel you are qualified, please e-mail a completed city application found at (www.lhhcity.org), resume, list of certifications, and cover letter to humanresources@lhhcity.org.

La Habra Heights Fire Department Recruitment Video