Types of Disasters

Storms

El Niño Preparation

As Southern California prepares for El Niño, the City of Pasadena has initiated regular planning meetings with all internal and external stakeholders to prepare for the heavy rains. In the near future, critical information will be provided to assist residents and business owners in protecting their properties.

Here are some helpful tips to get you started for the season.

• Yard Clean-Up Make a general inspection of your entire yard area for dead trees or dead limbs, yard debris, outdoor furniture, or other objects that could be blown by storm winds. It is important not to over-trim trees as improper pruning actually leaves trees more vulnerable. Do not clear out rain gutters or trim trees on a ladder without a spotter
• Drains and Gutters Make sure all drains and gutters are cleared of debris and functioning properly before the storm season. Storm water runoff from impermeable surfaces (e.g., roofs, driveways, and patios) should be directed into a collection system to avoid soil saturation.
• Roofs Inspect your roof, or hire a roofing contractor, to check for loose tiles, holes, or other signs of trouble.
• Retaining Walls Visually inspect all retaining wall drains, surface drains, culverts, ditches, etc. for obstructions or other signs of malfunction, before the storm season, and after every storm event.
• Slopes Visually inspect all sloped areas for signs of gullying, surface cracks, slumping etc. Also inspect patios, retaining walls, garden walls, etc. for signs of cracking or rotation.
• Bare Ground Make sure your yard does not have large bare areas which could be sources for mudflows during a storm event. The fall is a good time to put down mulch and establish many native plants; it may be possible to vegetate these bare areas before the storm season.
• Storm Drains Visually inspect nearby storm drains, before the storm season and after every rain; if the storm drains are obstructed, clear the material from the drain or notify the Public Works Department.
• Emergency Kits Make sure all members of your family have emergency kits in case of power outages
• Homeowners Insurance Make sure it’s updated and you have flood insurance if required

Rainstorms

• Sign up for local emergency alerts at www.cityofpasadena.net/fire/pleas and www.nixle.com
• Do not call 9-1-1 unless you have a life-threatening emergency.
• Before a rainstorm hits, make sure your roof, retaining walls, etc., are in good shape and that rain gutters and downspouts are cleared of debris.
• Turn off sprinklers and irrigation systems.
• Make sure pets are indoors or have safe cover.
• Unless you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, you should be prepared to be your own first responder for up to 72 hours.
• Stay indoors during rainstorms if possible.
• Stay away from storm drain channels, the Arroyo Seco flood control channel and any flooded areas.
• If you must drive, be cautious and allow extra time for travel. California law requires that headlights must be turned on whenever windshield wipers are in use, even during daytime hours.
• If you are driving and see flooded roads ahead, turn around. About 80 percent of all flood-related deaths occur when drivers try to navigate flowing water.
• For properties in hillside areas with the potential for mudslides, free sandbags and sand may be available at Fire Station 37, 3430 E. Foothill Blvd; and Fire Station 38, 1150 Linda Vista Ave. Call (626) 744-4675 to ask about availability.
• In case of mudslides or flooding, never stay in an area where raw sewage accumulates and make sure no part of your body touches raw sewage. If you do come in direct bodily contact with raw sewage, consult with your family physician immediately. To report raw sewage, call the Street Maintenance and Integrated Waste Management Division of the Public Works Department at (626) 744-4087. To learn about proper cleaning of a home and personal belongings that have been contaminated by raw sewage, call the Environmental Health Division of the Public Health Department at (626) 744-6004.
• There are a small number of private roads in Pasadena, which are not public property. Owners of private roads are solely responsible for damages due to mudslides and other issues.
• Potential mosquito breeding can be found anywhere there is standing water in discarded tires, rain gutters, containers, decorative ponds and potted plants. Standing water should be emptied immediately after a rainstorm. To report standing water along public streets and sidewalks, call the Environmental Health Division of the Public Health Department at (626) 744-6004.
• Beware of scams. Anyone claiming to be roofers and home-improvement contractors must be licensed and bonded. More information is available on the Contractors State License Board website at www.cslb.ca.gov (click on Consumers). If people claim to be City of Pasadena employees and approach residents with a demand for payment for permit fees, repairs or power restoration, they are scammers. Call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241 if you suspect a scam.
• To report power outages, call (626) 744-4673. To report building damage, call (626) 744-4200. To report a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
• Check on neighbors who may require special assistance, especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities and minors who are home alone.

Windstorms

• Sign up for local emergency alerts at ww5.cityofpasadena.net/fire/LINK-TBD and http://www.nixle.com.
• Do not call 9-1-1 unless you have a life-threatening emergency.
• Stay home if possible until the wind situation improves. Some roads may be impassable due to fallen trees and/or downed power lines.
• Stay clear of downed power lines and anything touching them. Always assume that a power line is live and hazardous. Downed cable and telephone wires can also be hazardous.
• Unless you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, you should be prepared to be your own first responder for up to 72 hours.
• The combination of high winds and dry trees, shrubs and other fuels could create extreme fire danger. During a Red Flag period, parking is restricted on narrow and/or winding roads in hillsides and open-space areas to allow access of fire engines and evacuation of residents.
• The removal and clearing of trees that are not in the public right of way is the responsibility of private property owners. Anyone who suffers damage to vehicles, homes and other property caused by fallen city trees or tree limbs should contact their private insurers for proper handling of claims.
• Secure or store trash cans as well as furniture and other items on patios, porches and yards.
• Do not drive high-profile vehicles that may be blown over by high winds, such as RVs and large trucks.
• If a federal emergency is declared for the Pasadena area, private property owners might be eligible for monetary relief due to windstorm damage. Apply at www.fema.gov/assistance or call (800) 621-FEMA.
• Owners of private property damaged during windstorms might be eligible for temporary relief from property tax. Apply on the L.A. County Assessor website.
• Beware of scams. Anyone claiming to be roofers and home-improvement contractors must be licensed and bonded. More information is available on the Contractors State License Board website at http://www.cslb.ca.gov. If people claim to be City of Pasadena employees and approach residents with a demand for payment for permit fees, repairs or power restoration, they are scammers. Call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241 if you suspect a scam.
• To report power outages, call (626) 744-4673. To report fallen or compromised trees in the public right of way, call (626) 744-4321. To report fallen or compromised trees on private property, call (626) 744-4009. To report building damage, call (626) 744-4200. To report a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
• Check on neighbors who may require special assistance, especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities and minors who are home alone.

Fire

Wildfire Prevention:

• Keep shrubs and trees well-trimmed and make sure they’re planted 18 inches apart.  Good choices with high moisture content include citrus, oak and oleander.
• Add at least three inches of non-wood mulch over planted areas to prevent weeds.
• Keep property free of debris that can catch fire, including dead leaves, branches, dried weeds and other vegetation, and firewood.
• If you’re planning a large-scale landscaping project, check with Pasadena Fire Department about current regulations.
• Clean leaves, needles and twigs from roof gutters.
• Soak trees and shrubs once a month to maintain leaf moisture.
• Keep patio furniture, gas barbecues and other flammable objects a minimum of 20 feet away from structures.
• Never toss a lighted cigarette onto the ground, and never walk off and leave a cigarette burning.
• Make sure your emergency kit is stocked and ready, and review your personal and family emergency plans.
• In the event of an evacuation order, be sure to follow the directions of police and fire personnel in your neighborhood.  If you have a pet, make sure it has a tag with your phone number and the pet’s name in addition to any required license tags.  Evacuation shelters rarely accept animals other than those that assist people with disabilities, so make arrangements in advance with friends or animal shelters in other areas.

Fire Prevention:

Simple Steps That Could Save Your Life:

• Change Your Smoke Detector Batteries – The IAFC and fire experts nationwide encourage people to change smoke detector batteries at least annually. An easy way to remember to change your batteries is when you turn your clock back in the fall. Replace old batteries with fresh, high quality alkaline batteries, such as energizer brand batteries, to keep your smoke detector going year-long.
• Check Your Smoke Detectors – After inserting a fresh battery in your smoke detector, check to make sure the smoke detector itself is working by pushing the safety test button.
• Count Your Smoke Detectors – Install at least one smoke detector on every level of your home, including the basement and family room and, most important, outside all bedrooms.
• Vacuum Your Smoke Detectors – Each month, clean your smoke detectors of dust and cobwebs to ensure their sensitivity.
• Change Your Flashlight Batteries – To make sure your emergency flashlights work when you need them, use high-quality alkaline batteries. Note: Keep a working flashlight near your bed, in the kitchen, basement and family room, and use it to signal for help in the event of a fire.
• Install Fire Extinguishers – Install a fire extinguisher in or near your kitchen and know how to use it. Should you need to purchase one, the IAFC recommends a multi-or all-purpose fire extinguisher that is listed by an accredited testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory.
• Plan and Practice Your Escape – Create at least two different escape routes and practice them with the entire family. Children are at double the risk of dying in a home fire because they often become scared and confused during fires. Make sure your children understand that a smoke detector signals a home fire and that they recognize its alarm.
• Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery – Energizer brand Batteries, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and your local fire department urge you to adopt a simple, potentially lifesaving habit: change the batteries in your smoke detector when you change your clocks back to standard time in the fall.
• Additional Fire Safety Resources – link to Fire Prevention/Safety Resources

Consider The Following:

• Each day in the U.S., an average of three children die in home fires – 1,100 children each year. About 3,600 children are injured in house fires each year. Ninety percent of child fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke detectors.
• Although smoke detectors are in 92 percent of American homes, nearly one-third don’t work because of old or missing batteries.
• A working smoke detector reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly half.

What to do if Your Smoke Detector Begins Ringing or if There is a Fire

• Remain calm and get out. Do not try to fight the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 from a safe place.
• If your clothes catch on fire, STOP where you are, DROP to the ground and ROLL over and over to smother the flames.
• Drop to the floor to avoid smoke and fumes. Crawl to safety.
• Feel the door with the back of your hand before you open it. If it is hot, find another way out.
• If you are unable to get out of your home for any reason, get near a window and stay close to the floor. If possible, signal for help.

Winter Fire Safety:

Pasadena Fire Department offers these tips for keeping your home and loved ones safe:

• Water your tree daily to keep it fresh. Keep it away from heat sources.
• If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is fire-retardant.
• Use only flame-retardant or non-combustible materials.
• Make sure your fireplace or wood stove is in working condition. Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned, if necessary, before lighting a fire. Burn only chopped wood – never pine boughs, paper or old gift wrap.
• Don’t set lit candles near young children or pets; keep matches and lighters out of reach.
• Keep indoor and outdoor lights in good shape and check them carefully for burned-out bulbs or frayed cords. Buy a new set if necessary. Don’t overload electrical circuits.
• Always keep a family first aid kit and fire extinguisher on hand.
• When choosing a new space heater, look for the ULC/CSA approval on the box. Make sure the heater shuts off automatically if it tips over.
• Space heaters need space! Keep yours at least three feet away from other curtains, furniture and other objects.
• Never use a space heater as a drying rack.
• Never use a barbecue or hibachi indoors.