CL_NWS_250114_SP_EmerPrep_FireSafety_D3
FIRE SAFETY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Being prepared does not need to happen all at once. Completing one small task at a
time will better prepare you and the ones you care about in an emergency.
CLEAR YOUR CANYON & PROTECT HOMES!
This is a reminde r to maintain the appropriate clearance
between structures and vegetation. The LA County Fire
Department (LACFD) regulates the first 200 feet from
structures in order to establish a defensible space. City
Ordinance No. 375 requires the removal of dead trees
and plants on the remainder of your property to help keep
our community safe from the threat of wildfires. Residents
may wish to consult with their gardener, arborist or tree
service to assess trees and shrubs and for constructive
clearance methods that avoid future erosion. For
inquiries, please call LACFD at 310-377-1584.
PROHIBITED HAZARDOUS PLANTS & TREES
The Rolling Hills Municipal code 8.30.015 states that the
following highly flammable trees and plants are
prohibited:
Acacia (Shrub) | Cedar Trees | Cypress Trees & Italian
Cypress Trees Eucalyptus Trees | Juniper Trees
Palm Trees |Pampas Grass | Pine Trees
ON CALL GREEN WASTE COLLECTION:
Each residence may request one roll-off bin of up to a 40
cubic-yard capacity per calendar year at no additional
cost. Please email rollinghills@RepublicServices.com to
request this service.
RED FLAG WARNING UPDATE:
Do your part to reduce fire risk. Avoid activities that can
generate sparks, such as using power tools or machinery,
and postpone outdoor burning during high-risk periods
(check aqmd.gov/advisory to learn when a mandatory
alert is issued). Limit grass mowing and landscaping
activities, especially on dry, windy days. Construction
work involving heat or sparks should be avoided, and
proper safety measures, like having fire extinguishers on
hand, should always be in place. Refrain from smoking
outdoors, as it can easily ignite dry vegetation.
WATER SUPPLY & QUALITY:
The local water agency, California Water Service (Cal
Water), confirms that water quality remains unaffected
by ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, with customers in the
district experiencing no disruption to their water supply.
CalWater has implemented comprehensive emergency
preparedness strategies. In collaboration with the PVP
cities, they completed the 2020 PVP Water Reliability
Project, which enhanced the dependability of water
infrastructure on the Peninsula and will help ensure that all
residents and firefighters continue to have safe and
available water service for their everyday and
emergency needs. The project replaced a portion of the
existing water pipeline and added a second pipeline,
including seven miles of new pipeline, to deliver water to
homes and businesses. Additionally, the project added a
second pump station on Crenshaw Boulevard on a
separate electrical grid that will help guard against the
risk of prolonged water service outages caused by
disruptions such as natural disasters. Fire hydrants served
by CalWater have been assessed and are fully
operational. CalWater stands ready to support the
community, maintaining safe and stable water service
even under challenging wildfire conditions.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
(MWD) is a regional water wholesaler with a primary role
of providing adequate and reliable supplies of high-
quality water to its member agencies. MWD has water
supplies available to support firefighting efforts across its
service area, including the Peninsula. While the PV
Reservoir is out of service due to a planned shutdown, a
new bypass pipeline has been installed to maintain
reliable water supply to the PVP communities through
West Basin Municipal Water District. This bypass line
delivers the same flow and pressure as the reservoir,
ensuring continued service. MWD also has other reservoirs
available to support firefighting efforts and closely
coordinates with local fire agencies when there is the
need. It is important to note that the PV Reservoir, when
operational, is a treated water reservoir, covered to
protect water quality, and is not accessible for firefighting
by helicopters.
FIRE PREVENTION & RESPONSE:
A HeloPod™ firefighting dip source and cistern was
installed at the Ken Dyda Civic Center in Rancho Palos
Verdes in 2023. This innovative system, funded by Cal
Water's Firefighter Grant Program, allows helicopters to fill
their water tanks faster, enhancing our local firefighting
capabilities when there is a need.
Pano AI wildfire detection cameras are also installed on
the PVP . These cameras provide early detection of
wildfires through artificial intelligence technology,
allowing first responders to act quickly. Pano is a 360-
degree, ultra-high-definition camera system. Pano
continuously scans the landscape to identify, evaluate,
and warn of potential wildfire activity within a 15-mile
radius. In the event of a fire, it provides fire-monitoring
professionals auto-centered images with enhanced
zoom, speeding confirmation, and triangulation of the
exact fire location. Pano’s Rapid Detect wildfire
detection solution has been successfully deployed in
Napa, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma counties. This project,
funded by a $1.5 million state budget allocation secured
by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, enhances the
Peninsula’s ability to prevent and respond to wildfires.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS:
Sign up for emergency alerts by texting ALERTSB to 888777
or visit Alert South Bay at: www.alertsouthbay.com.
You can also sign up for notifications from:
- SCE Active Power Outage Website:
www.sce.com/outage-center/check-outage-status
- PVPready: www.pvpready.gov
- DwellingLive: www.community.dwellinglive.com
- SIRENS:
Although adjustments are still being made to the outdoor
siren system, City staff received confirmation from HQE
that, the sirens can and will be activated if evacuation
were to become necessary. As a reminder, the sirens are
to create redundancy and are only one form of
emergency notification available to Rolling Hills residents.
SPECIAL EDITION OF THE BLUE NEWSLETTER
PLANNING FOR EVACUATION
Consider which of the items in your home are important
to you. If you had to evacuate, what would you grab
first? With your vehicle size in mind, write a list of
belongings that would take priority. If an emergency
were to occur and your mind is flooded with stress,
having a “Go Bag” already prepared can be critical.
LACFD has compiled a list of helpful items to have in your
go bag, such as:
• 3-day supply of non-perishable food & 3 gallons of
water per person
• Map with at least 2 evacuation routes
• Necessary prescriptions or medications
• Change of clothes /extra eyeglasses/contact lenses
• Extra car keys, credit cards, cash, or traveler’s checks
• First aid kit and sanitation supplies (include masks)
• Flashlight & battery powered radio / extra batteries
• Copies of important documents (birth certificates, ID’s,
passports, deeds, insurance info, etc.)
• Pet food & water, vaccine records
• Phone & laptop chargers, hard drives , flash drives
• Comfort items/ Family photos
Always keep sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed,
ready for sudden night evacuations. For more
information on evacuation plans and emergency
preparedness you can visit www.pvpready.gov .
KNOW YOUR ZONE
LA County’s Office of Emergency Management has
divided the City of Rolling Hills into three (3) Evacuation
Zones. Portuguese Bend Road (PBR) and Crest Road act
as the dividing “lines” between zones.
• If you live west of PBR & North of Crest – ROL-E001
• If you live east of PBR & North of Crest – ROL-E002
• If you live on the south side of Crest – ROL- E003
In the event of an emergency requiring evacuation,
residents are asked to learn and remember their zone.
Please note: Rolling Hills zones will always start with ROL
followed by the zone number.
Visit
PVPready.gov
for more
information.
EVACUATION WARNINGS vs. ORDERS
Evacuation Warning: If you receive an evacuation
warning, this means you need to start preparing to
leave. You will need additional time if you have animals,
children, or elderly .
Evacuation Order: If you receive an evacuation order, it
means you need to leave immediately. Emergency
responders have determined there is an imminent life
safety risk and you need to evacuate.
LOCAL HEALTH EMERGENCY AND PUBLIC
HEALTH OFFICER ORDER ISSUED
To help protect the health and well -being of residents,
the use of power air blowers including leaf blowers, is
prohibited until further notice.
These devices stir up ash and matter into the air,
worsening air quality and increasing health risks for
everyone and their pets. The order applies to LA County
due to the widespread presence of ash and matter in
the region’s air.
The following recommendations will help you protect
yourself and your family from harmful effects of bad air
quality:
• If you see or smell smoke, or notice ash in the air, stay
indoors to limit exposure, especially if you have heart
or lung conditions, are elderly, or have children.
• Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors.
• Wear an N95 or P100 mask if you go outside in smoky
conditions for long periods of time in areas with heavy
smoke or where ash is present.
• Avoid air conditioners that only bring in outside air
and don’t recirculate. Check and replace air filters
regularly. Filters labeled “MERV13” or higher are most
effective for removing smoke particles. HEPA air
purifiers can further reduce indoor particles.
• If it’s too hot to keep windows and doors closed or
you don’t have an air conditioner, go to a public
place like a library or shopping center to stay cool
and protect yourself from harmful air.
• Avoid using fireplaces, candles, or vacuums.
• Clean dusty surfaces with a damp cloth and don’t
smoke.
• If you experience symptoms like severe coughing,
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain,
palpitations, nausea, or unusual fatigue, contact
your doctor or go to urgent care. For Life threatening
symptoms, call 911.
• When smoke lingers, fine particles may build up
indoors even if you can’t see them. Masks can
protect against larger particles, but most don’t block
fine particles or toxic gasses, which are more harmful.
• Practice safe clean up following a fire. Follow the ash
clean up and food safety instructions at
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire/