Arcadia stresses emergency preparedness ACTION. ACTION stands for Arcadians Caring Together Improves Our Neighborhoods. The purpose of the Emergency Preparedness Program is to prepare and respond effectively to major emergencies by establishing and maintaining an emergency management system which coordinates preparedness, response and recovery phases for natural and technological disasters and national security emergencies.
Don Alcorn, a 20-year veteran of the Arcadia Police Department, has been named to the new post of Emergency Services Coordinator by the Arcadia City Council. Alcorn's job is to prepare an emergency plan that will cover any aspect of any possible disaster, from earthquake to fire to nuclear disaster.
Arcadia wants you to be prepared for any disaster or emergency. September is National Preparedness Month. Every household should have a disaster kit (food, water, medications, flashlight, and a multi-tool).
Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) has proposed legislation to improve emergency and disaster preparedness by California's public utilities. Recent windstorm disaster highlighted the need to be better prepared.
The Fire Department has a new, green $150,000 fire engine on loan from the California Office of Emergency Services. It is specially equipped to handle large brush fires.
A recent audit of fire department response times in 12 cities shows San Marino and Pasadena firefighters were the quickest in responding to emergency calls. The report covered April, May and June. San Marino's and Pasadena's average response times were 4:03 and 4:02, respectively. Arcadia's average, in comparison, was 4:21.
Forest bathing is the latest thing to do at the Arboretum in Arcadia. It is a new program for people to immerse themselves among trees and leave the mind, body and soul at ease.
The Arcadia Police Department's non-emergency business telephone numbers have been changed to the following: Front desk, 570-5150; Administrative offices, 574-5178; Investigation division, 574-5160. The change is due to the switch to Pacific Bell Centrex System which gives priority to emergency services in the event of an emergency.
Concerned horse owners will make an effort to get the Arcadia City Council to extend an emergency moratorium, stopping any new subdivision in their area until a petition they presented to the council can be considered.
October has been declared Adolescent Drug Abuse Education Month honoring the efforts of Parent Alert, a community group whose goal is to encourage residents to educate themselves regarding the problems of drug abuse. Activities of the group and programs scheduled for the month are outlined.
Arcadia property owners will be asked to renew a street lighting fee schedule and assessment in June, when funding is set to expire. Officials warned that without an extension of the lighting assessment district, the city would lose about $420,000 a year. Unless the assessment is renewed, the city might have to cut services such as police protection, fire and emergency medical response services, library services, and recreation programs. Arcadia property owners currently pay 40% of street lighting repair and maintenance costs, while the city covers the other 60%. That would remain unchanged in the new assessment district, but the amounts each household pays will be different. Family households in residential neighborhoods will be charged $28.44 a year, while single-family homes along major thoroughfares will pay $16.73 a year.
Help Our Youth Community Clinic, organized eight years ago by concerned citizens, has developed into a professional, multi-disciplinary clinic. Jeff Green, newly appointed director, says the emphasis now is on prevention.
Dylan Shen completes Eagle Scout project in Arcadia Wilderness Park. He restored the historic fire circle there. The Fire Circle was first presented to the City in April 1964.
Arcadia firefighters helped raise funds for a muscular dystrophy fundraiser called "Fill the Boot" and were presented with a participation plaque by Megan Berry, Director for MDA, the Muscular Dystrophy Association.