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.
The Association will prepare a profile of the San Gabriel Valley within the coming month. A second project will be to organize themselves to deal with the "incoherence of Los Angeles County government."
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.
The Disaster Preparedness Plan is ready for adoption by the City Council. It includes contingency plans for the handling of earthquakes (as well as recommendations for building standards to help present earthquake damage), floods, fires and hazardous structures.
A surprise disaster drill gave the police and fire departments and the Methodist Hospital a valuable exercise. Arcadia High School drama students portrayed the victims.
Disaster planning, incorporated in Arcadia's Master Plan, is now being polished for final approval. Contingency plans are designed for fire, earthquake, plane crash, etc.
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.
Fire Chief Gene Mahoney, with City Council approval, is instituting an apprentice fireman program, in which the men will take training classes at PCC while actually employees of the Arcadia Fire Department.
Fire Chiefs of 19 Foothill cities met this spring and have worked out a strike force plan for more efficient fire fighting. Since the dry conditions make this potentially the worst fire season since 1920, this could mean great savings. A strike force will consist of 5 units directed by a team leader.
The Planning Commission directed the planning staff to prepare a resolution permitting Maranatha High School to operate at its present North Santa Anita location.
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.
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.
The City Council approved a recommendation to hire Glendale-based Charles Walton Associates to prepare a library building program. The proposal will cost between $50,000 and $55,000 and the new library will cost approximately $7 million.