Evacuation Drill Citizen’s Feedback

Dear Editor:

I read my whole packet this morning and have decided to show up first at the [Red Cross] Evacuation Center at Pali High. Then, I will return to the Canyon for a while to fix the washing machine. I made some notes about a couple minor ways to improve the packet, but totally think T-CEP did an amazing job with so many details to be covered and so many directions and instructions to convey.

We're so lucky that Topanga Canyon’s T-CEP is at the forefront of disaster/survival planning.

— Pamela Leeds

Dear Editor:

The LA County alert system was mentioned in the package we received as preparation for the evacuation but I was repeatedly asked for this info during my time at the “evacuation center” at Pali High. So it may be worth putting out the info again in your newspaper. Many thanks for all the great work you do!!!

Having just completed the “evacuation” of Topanga made many of us rethink how to prepare for emergencies. Here is one suggestion:

If and when So Cal gets hit by the big one, we will all know and feel it but during a brush fire or a major road closure it may take a while until we receive word from neighbors, friends, family or the news – especially if we are at work or school.

So here are a few ways to receive alerts on your cell and/or work phone: www.alert.lacounty.gov and follow step-by-step instructions. You can also register with the cities of Malibu and Calabasas by Googling: “City of Malibu Emergency Preparedness” and once on the City of Malibu web site, click “notifications”. Same procedure works for the City of Calabasas.

— Gerlinde Gautrey

Dear Editor:

On April 28, 2012 I never received the phone call from Alert LA. Nor did I receive the phone call from Alert LA last year when there was a drill to evacuate to the CSA — for me, Mill Creek Ranch.

I reported the lack of phone calls then and still I didn’t receive the Alert phone call on [April] 28th. I did receive the reminder from the Fire Department earlier in the week.

At 11:40 a.m. I drove to the CSA (Mill Creek) and reported no phone call. I returned home to make sure I had no message as they stated the phone calls were late for Zone 2. No message. Then I drove to Taft High and reported no phone call. Everyone asked if I received the mailings. I did. But all this elaborate material is of no use if we don’t receive the phone call. It is critical to know which way to drive — the direction of the fire. There is no phone number that I’m aware of that connects you to a live person. The T-CEP Hot Line is just an information source, as well as T-CEP online.

— With concern,

Susan Ellman