Laserfiche WebLink
2.3 Staff Briefing on Town Emergency Response/Palo Alto Area Red Cross on <br /> Self Sufficiency <br /> Public Safety Officer Steven Garcia introduced this item to Council. He presented a <br /> PowerPoint presentation titled: "Presentation to the Los Altos Hills City Council on <br /> Town Emergency Response". Garcia emphasized that it was crucial that Town residents <br /> be responsible for themselves. It could take emergency responders 72 hours or longer to <br /> arrive and provide assistance. Residents should have personal and family plans in place <br /> for self sufficiency. Garcia explained the procedures that would be followed if the <br /> disaster occurred during business hours; during non-business hours; and the <br /> responsibilities of Town staff. The presentation also provided an overview of the Town's <br /> Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located in the Heritage House that included <br /> identification of its function, equipment, and security. The Heritage House is not <br /> available to the public and media when activated as the EOC. Garcia reviewed the <br /> procedural next steps in the Town's preparation for an emergency, specifically: train the <br /> City Council to activate the EOC and operate the emergency generator; continue <br /> emergency preparedness; and the collaborative training of residents with the American <br /> Red Cross. <br /> Garcia introduced Rebecca Blitz, Palo Alto Area Red Cross. Blitz thanked Council and <br /> the Los Altos Hills community for their recent donation to the chapter to assist with <br /> expenses incurred during the Katrina Hurricane disaster. Blitz offered that it was key for <br /> citizens to be prepared and self sufficient in the event of a local disaster. She reviewed <br /> the five key actions in preparing for an emergency: 1) make a plan including a family <br /> • contact person in a different location or region; 2) build a kit; 3) get trained (CPR, First <br /> Aid); volunteer; and, 5) give blood. <br /> Councilmember Mordo suggested that Council needed additional training in the EOC <br /> operations. Garcia noted that he was confident that they would be able to operate the <br /> center with minimal training. He would review the equipment and operations manual <br /> with them at their convenience. <br /> Council thanked Garcia and Blitz for their presentations. <br /> 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT <br /> Planning Director Carl Cahill reported that the Planning Commission had met on October <br /> 13'h and reviewed and recommended approval of the Verizon cell phone antenna proposal <br /> to be located at Westwind Barn. Cahill noted that the project was scheduled to be <br /> considered by the City Council at their next meeting. <br /> Cahill advised Council that traffic counts had been taken by the City of Palo Alto on <br /> Arastradero Road to determine if there were any feasible alternatives to the traffic signals <br /> proposed for the Mayfield Project. Palo Alto did not expect the results to be analyzed for <br /> at least a month or longer. Cahill would keep Council apprised of the status. <br /> • <br /> 2 <br /> City Council Meeting Agenda <br /> October 20,2005 <br />