Archive for category: Emergency Notification

Dear Westside Families,

Our heart goes out to all of our extended community who have been impacted and continue to be displaced by the Hill and Woolsey Fires. Please know that WRC is available to assist you in finding resources.  We also remain available to assist you if you or your family member need specialized supports during this time. I hope that you all remain safe and, in spite of these recent tragic events, still have reasons to be thankful. Again, please do not hesitate to call your Service Coordinator if you need assistance.

My best,

Carmine Manicone

Executive Director

Westside Regional Center

 

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DISASTER ASSISTANCE:

 

LOS ANGELES (Fri., Nov. 16, 2018) – As Los Angeles County departments and public agencies continue in their Woolsey Fire response and recovery efforts, community partners from the private sector are also extending recovery support to those impacted by the wildfire.

Current examples of disaster assistance include:

– Free rides provided through Lyft and Uber to the Disaster Assistance Centers located in Malibu and Agoura Hills;

– Temporary housing through Airbnb; and

– Waived phone/text/data usage fees by phone carriers

LA County residents may also visit www.lacounty.gov/woolseyfire/ or contact 211 LA County by calling 2-1-1 or visiting http://211la.org to learn more about these community partner assistance programs, as well as services and resources offered by governmental agencies and non-profit organizations.

Other entities who are providing disaster relief assistance and are interested in being featured as a Woolsey Fire community partner on the County’s Woolsey Fire website can contact pio@ceooem.lacounty.gov.

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Federal Communication Commission rules under Section 255 of the Communications Act require telecommunications service providers to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities, if such access is readily achievable. Where access is not readily achievable, service providers must make their devices and services compatible with peripheral devices and specialized customer premises equipment that are commonly used by people with disabilities, if such compatibility is readily available.

LOS ANGELES (Fri., Nov. 16, 2018) – As residents and business owners return to the Woolsey Fire-impacted areas and begin cleaning up their properties and neighborhoods, Los Angeles County agencies are working with public and private partners to resume trash and debris removal services as soon as it is safe to do so.

Public Works provides the following debris and trash removal guidelines for the public:

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRASH REMOVAL

Trash collection services that were interrupted by the Woolsey Fire will resume as soon as evacuation orders are lifted and roads reopen.

· TRASH – Place your trash carts for collection on regular trash day

· EXCESS WASTE – Place your excess waste in up to 5 bags on your trash day; no call-in is required for the next few weeks.

· ROTTEN FOOD – Spoiled food may be placed in the trash or the excess in bags. Public Health recommends the following:

o If a power outage lasts several hours, it is best to throw away
perishable food items such as meat, dairy products and eggs.

o Items that have thawed in the freezer should be thrown away. Do not re-freeze thawed food. All other food items should be inspected to ensure safety. Remember, “if in doubt, throw it out.”

· MELTED CARTS – Damaged carts should be reported for replacement.

· HAZARDOUS WASTE – Household Hazardous Waste should be brought to 23519 W. Civic Center Way on December 1, between 9 am and 3 pm or to one of the permanent collection centers. Contact CleanLA.com or (888) Clean LA for more locations.

· MORE EXCESS WASTE – Three times per year, you may call in to arrange the pickup of 10 bulky items, 10 bundles of green waste, and/or 5 bags of excess waste. Bulky items include construction and demolition debris of up to two 70-pound bundles not exceeding 4 feet in length.

· If you need any special services, please contact your waste hauler.

In addition to the above guidelines, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has published a “Returning Home After A Fire” fact sheet to help residents protect their health when returning to or cleaning up their homes.

FIRE DEBRIS REMOVAL

Ash and debris that remains from a structure that was destroyed in the wildfires contain hazardous waste and materials that can threaten public health. Therefore, the Los Angeles County Public Health Officer declared a Local Health Emergency on November 12, 2018 which prohibits the removal of fire debris until an inspection of the debris is conducted by either state, federal, or local hazardous materials agencies.

Los Angeles County has requested State and federal assistance to expedite recovery activities and ensure the safe removal of hazardous waste and fire debris from structures and properties damaged by the wildfires. Additional information on this consolidated debris removal program will be provided when determined.

The Public Health Emergency Declaration also prohibits the delivery of debris bins in the affected areas without the approval from the Los Angeles County Fire Department (Fire Department). Owners that opt out of the Fire Debris Clearance Program, once established in Los Angeles County, must register with and obtain the permission of Los Angeles County before beginning the removal of fire debris, and must conduct their private debris removal, transport, and disposal in a manner that does not endanger the community. For additional questions regarding fire debris removal, contact DPW at (800) 675-4357.

CONTACTS
Waste Management
(800) 266-7551 / http://WM.com
Universal Waste Systems
(800) 631-7016 / http://UWScompany.com
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
(888) Clean LA (888-253-2652) / http://CleanLA.com

LOS ANGELES (Fri., Nov. 16, 2018) – A multitude of important disaster recovery resources from government, non-profit, and private agencies are now available on www.lacounty.gov/woolseyfire to help support residents, business owners, and others impacted by the Woolsey Fire. “I know how anxious my constituents are to take the next steps moving forward with recovery and rebuilding. The recovery resources on the County’s Woolsey Fire webpage provide a wealth of information that will help residents and business owners begin the process of rebuilding their lives,” said Shelia Kuehl, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The site serves as a virtual one stop shop for the public to access a comprehensive range of disaster recovery resources available, including:

• Reporting property damage
• Shelter and housing
• Financial assistance
• Debris cleanup
• Replacing lost documents
• Air quality reports
• Mental health resources
• Preparing for future disasters

The site will also contain information and updates about the ongoing response and relief efforts of the Los Angeles County, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United States Small Business Administration (SBA), the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), and other partner organizations.

In addition to the LA County Recovery webpage, those impacted by the Woolsey Fire, including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, may also contact 211 LA County to report property damage and for emergency preparedness information and other referral services. The toll-free 2-1-1 number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 211 LA County services can also be accessed online by visiting www.211la.org.

14:12:09 Press Release #35

Advisory: AS REPOPULATION CONTINUES, TAFT HIGH SCHOOL IS DEACTIVATED AS TEMPORARY

LOS ANGELES (Fri., Nov. 16, 2018) – As Los Angeles County continues to help residents return to their homes, the need for temporary shelters in the impacted areas has decreased. In an effort to manage emergency resources, and provide a high level of care to affected Los Angeles County residents, Taft High School (5461 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91364) has been deactivated as an emergency shelter, and those residents have been re-sheltered at Pierce College. The evacuation shelters at Pierce College and Palisades High School will remain open until further notice. “We are thankful to the hardworking staff and volunteers of the Taft High School shelter for their dedication and compassion in helping those displaced by the Woolsey Fire in their greatest time of need,” said Jeff Reeb, Director, Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management . “Even though we are deactivating this shelter, Los Angeles County and its partners remai n committed to help those affected by the wildfire on their road to recovery.”

Residents can continue to access relief and recovery services by contacting 211 LA County at 2-1-1. Those impacted by the Woolsey Fire may also get the latest information, updates and resources by visiting http://LACounty.gov/WoolseyFire.

 

June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant

310 821 7080 | jik@pacbell.net | www.jik.com

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