Ready.gov Announces "America's PrepareAthon Day"

As a community, La Habra Heights can never be too prepared. Visit the Ready.Gov website for tips and information about National Preparedness month. Wildfire season is a 24/7/365 possibility in Southern California, don't get caught unprepared.

America's PrepareAthon! is a grassroots campaign for action to increase community preparedness and resilience. Join others around the country to practice your preparedness!

L.A. County Emergency Mass Notification System

The La Habra Heights Fire Department encourages all residents to take advantage of the new Los Angeles County Emergency Alert System

Los Angeles County has implemented an emergency mass notification system that will be used to contact County residents and businesses via recorded phone messages, text messages or e-mail messages in case of emergency.

The system, called Alert LA County, will be used by the County’s Emergency Operations Center to notify residents and businesses of emergencies or critical situations and provide information regarding necessary actions, such as evacuations.

The system utilizes the telephone companies’ 911 database and is able to contact land-line telephone numbers, whether listed or unlisted.  If the call is picked up by an answering machine, the system will leave a recorded message.  If the number called is busy or does not answer, the system will redial the number in an attempt to deliver the message.  The system is also TTY/TDD compatible.

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Get Involved, La Habra Offers Free CERT Training

In a continuing effort to expand upon citizen involvement in public safety programs the City of La Habra Heights has been informed that the City of La Habra is offering free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.

 

 

CERT training will develop a citizen’s disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. They will learn how to prepare for emergencies, what supplies to have, how much food and water, as well as how to protect their families in an emergency.

 

The next session will be on October 1st, 8th, and 15th. To sign up for the CERT training please contact La Habra’s Emergency Management Coordinator, David Gonzalez, at 562-383-4306 or dgonzalez@lahabraca.gov. 

In addition, citizens can also think about participating in the Great California Shakeout on October 20th. This event will help you and your family be more prepared to survive and recover quickly from California’s next big earthquake. For more information about participating please visit:  www.shakeout.org/California.

Get Involved, La Habra Offers Free CERT Training

In a continuing effort to expand upon citizen involvement in public safety programs the City of La Habra Heights has been informed that the City of La Habra is offering free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.

 

 

CERT training will develop a citizen’s disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. They will learn how to prepare for emergencies, what supplies to have, how much food and water, as well as how to protect their families in an emergency.

 

The next session will be on October 1st, 8th, and 15th. To sign up for the CERT training please contact La Habra’s Emergency Management Coordinator, David Gonzalez, at 562-383-4306 or dgonzalez@lahabraca.gov. 

In addition, citizens can also think about participating in the Great California Shakeout on October 20th. This event will help you and your family be more prepared to survive and recover quickly from California’s next big earthquake. For more information about participating please visit:  www.shakeout.org/California.

La Habra Heights Firefighter Practice Vehicle Extrication

Training is the cornerstone of any successful rescue during emergency situations. The Firefighters in La Habra Heights constantly train, using the tools which are available at the scene of an emergency. The ability to lift a 20 ton piece of machinery off a trapped victim or use the extrication tools to cut up a car when someone is trapped but be well thought out and planned in advance.

Firefighters use cribbing and Air Bags to lift vehicle of victim

 
 

September is National Preparedness Month! Don't Wait... Communicate

 

Communication is the key to emergency planning. Sometimes planning is the hardest part or preparation.

 

"Preparation doesn't require doing everything, but it does require doing something"

 

Approach your planning like you would if you were having a BBQ for Labor Day. There are so many moving parts to planning a BBQ. Who to invite. Getting the BBQ ready. Do I have propane in the BBQ? What are the sides dishes and drinks. Then there is the timing... How long will the steaks take to cook? Medium? Rare? Well Done? .... AHHHH!!!! So Many Decisions!!!.

 

Disaster preparation is no different than planning a BBQ. Break it into small parts and address each one individually. Break it into smaller parts, finish that one piece, then move to the next.

 

The La Habra Heights Fire Department encourages everyone to start with a few basic steps.

 

1.   COMMUNICATE YOUR PLAN today. It may not be a complete plan, but it is a good starting point.

 

2.   Download the FEMA Disaster Preparedness App to help you get your plan going.

 

 

 

 

 

 Download the FEMA App

 

Preventing Zika by Following Some Simple Steps

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

There are no locally acquired vector-borne cases of Zika reported in California. There are 2,245 travel-associated cases reported in the continental United States, 170 laboratory confirmed travel-associated cases are in California, and 40 of those are in Los Angeles County. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are present in Los Angeles County, however no Zika Virus has been identified in vectors at this time.

 

How to Prevent Zika Virus Infection

Avoid travel to areas with Zika virus disease   

• All people who do travel to areas with Zika should protect themselves from mosquito bites.
• Pregnant women should avoid travel to areas with Zika because of the chance of severe birth defects in the baby, if the mother gets infected.
• Currently, there is no evidence of local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika in Los Angeles County.    

Avoid mosquitos when traveling to affected areas       

• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved bug spray. These will contain DEET, Picaridin or IR3535 as ingredients.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants or clothing specially treated to avoid mosquito bites.
• Stay indoors when possible and make sure any open windows or doors have screens to keep mosquitos out.

 Pregnant women should take extra precaution because of the link to birth defects        

• Pregnant women should avoid traveling to areas with Zika and, if they do go, avoid mosquito bites.
• If you are pregnant and traveled to an area with Zika, call your doctor and talk about your travel, even if you aren’t sick.

Zika virus can be sexually-transmitted

• If you are pregnant and your partner traveled to an area with Zika, see your doctor and talk about their travel.
• Men who live or have traveled in a Zika-affected areas and whose partner is pregnant are advised to properly use condoms during sexual activity or abstain from sex with the pregnant partner throughout their entire pregnancy.    

Public Health is Working for You

Due to the rising concern about Zika virus, Public Health has been quick to respond by:

• Investigating possible cases of Zika virus infection in our communities.
• Updating our website and sharing information and education on Zika virus with residents.
• Reaching out to medical providers and people more likely to travel to countries with Zika.
• Working closely with vector control agencies.

 

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are present in Los Angeles County, however as of August 29, 2016, no Zika Virus has been identified in vectors..