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T-CEP Hotline Team Annual Dinner Meeting
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARY SIPPLE Hotline Team members in attendance at the groups’ Jan. 22 annual dinner meeting are, from left: Mary Sipple; Carol Delay Fraga; Karla Morrison; Judy Hein; Neal Steinberg; Joyce Wisdom; Lynne Haigh, Team Leader; Lyn Sherman, Janice Harman (Assistant Leader); and Wendy Cline. Beth Bernum, co-president of the North Topanga Canyon Fire Safe Council, presented the results of that groups efforts, including plans for using a $68,000 grant to improve safety along Highway 27 in Topanga Canyon.
It has, thankfully, been several years since a Canyon-wide emergency or disaster has occurred. And yet, the Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness, i.e., T-CEP’s Hotline Team meets regularly to review procedures should the need arise to man the phone banks at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
In case you don’t know, the Hotline Team operates the EOC hotline “rumor control” telephone bank and gathers and disseminates accurate information to the community during an emergency. Many in Topanga (and beyond) have relied on the calming voice at the other end of the phone during a crisis that provides reassurance and verified emergency information.
The Hotline Team’s annual dinner meeting is a favorite gathering of this group of dedicated volunteer citizens.
Not only is good food and drink on the table but so, too, is the conversation around the table. 
The January 22 meeting of ten hotline team members did not disappoint. In addition to the hotline members, two guest speakers plus EOC dignitaries—Pat and Jack Mac Neil—were in attendance, which helped make the 2.5-hour meeting lively and interesting.
Over dessert the group received an update on EOC happenings from T-CEP Coalition Leader, James Grasso.
Beth Burnam of the North Topanga Canyon Fire Safe Council (NTCFSC) followed with a full report of the activities of this group that has recently received approximately $78,000 in a grant for fuel modification efforts (removal or trimming of highly flammable vegetation) to improve safety along Topanga Canyon Boulevard, especially during a wild fire.
The next time disaster strikes, who ya gonna call? That’s right, the EOC hotline at (310) 455-3000. We’ll be there for you.
