At the February 11 City Council meeting, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Ann Hepenstal provided a well-received status update to Council on emergency preparedness programs in Los Altos, including recognition of the important work being done by the BAT program, CERT volunteers and LAARES hams. LAARES ham John Kristian and BAT/CERT Sherie Dodsworth attended, wearing their vests in support of the EP… Read More »City Council Meeting: EP Topics
On Saturday, January 11, 2020, 45 emergency preparedness volunteers from Los Altos gathered at Neutra House to participate in a simulated disaster drill. During the drill, BATs, CERTs, and ham radio operators worked together on teams to evaluate and report on disaster scenarios. In a real emergency (after making sure their own families and homes were safe). Team members would… Read More »Drill Time
Los Altos Emergency Preparedness Volunteers of the Year Fred Evans, Patricia Evans, and Agnes Caufield were recognized at the annual Santa Clara County Emergency Managers Association awards banquet on December 12th. Los Altos Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Ann Hepenstal was named Emergency Manager of the Year, and Keith Amidon, Peter Amidon and John Kristian were recognized for their continual service as… Read More »Emergency Preparedness Team Members Receive Awards
Block Action Team Leaders, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members, and amateur radio emergency communications volunteers were celebrated on November 14th at a reception at the Los Altos History Museum. Los Altos Police Chief Andy Galea and Los Altos Vice Mayor Jan Pepper thanked the volunteers from Los Altos and Los Altos Hills for their service, highlighting their value to… Read More »Emergency Preparedness Volunteers Celebrated
Santa Clara County Fire Department instructors recently held Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training in Los Altos, and graduated residents from Los Altos and surrounding communities. These volunteers completed 21 hours of training in first aid, search and rescue techniques, disaster psychology, fire extinguisher use, patient triage and treatment, and more. They wrapped up their training with a hands-on drill,… Read More »CERT Academy Graduates Emergency Preparedness Volunteers
Actions to take in anticipation of a Power Shutoff: 1) Confirm or update your contact information with PG&E so that PG&E can notify you of planned shutoffs 2) Check if the power shutoff will affect you: check your address on the PG&E potential PSPS address-lookup map 3) If someone in your household has special energy needs due to qualifying medical… Read More »PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs
The Los Altos Town Crier published a fun article on a bonding tradition in BAT #25: weekly Curbside Cocktails! As both a Neighborhood Watch group and at BAT (with a CERT as the leader), this is a great example of preparedness + socializing = a safer and more resilient neighborhood! See more about the Community and Emergency Preparedness Grants and… Read More »BAT #25 in the news: Curbside Cocktails!
BAT #11/Toyon Farm Community’s National Night Out Barbecue The Toyon Farm Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness, Welcome and Social Committees hosted a barbecue/potluck on National Night Out in August. Twenty-three people, including two community service officers (Eric Brooks and Kevin Vitorelo) and two City of Los Altos representatives (Council Member Neysa Fligor and another City official) attended the event. BAT 11 had… Read More »BAT #11: Emergency Guides & Evacuation Routes
BAT #44 hosted their first National Night Out gathering in the backyard of BAT leaders Bettina and John Epp, with about 25 neighbors participating. They were pleased to have Captain McCrossin and Officers Maloney and Malhi stop by to take questions and do a presentation on emergency preparedness, 911 procedures and to promote their Back-to-School supply drive. It was a… Read More »BAT #44: National Night BBQ & Fun!
A Block Action Team (BAT) is a group of neighbors who want to work together to prepare for disasters, prevent crime, look out for seniors involve youth and, of course, socialize.