Brushfire Evacuation Exercise Helps Prepare Residents

BrushfireEvacuation Exercise Helps Prepare Residents

29 July 2007

published by www.knbc.com

Los Angeles, USA – The residents of about 400 homes in the Oak Hillscommunity near Griffith Park were evacuated Saturday as part of a brush firepreparedness drill, authorities said.

During the exercise, which began at about 9:30 a.m., residents went to CheramoyaAvenue School, on Franklin Avenue, where a shelter was set up. A communityemergency preparedness is also being held at the school on Saturday.

The exercise was led by the Los Angeles Fire Department and the city’sEmergency Preparedness Department.

“Due to the extreme dry conditions, Los Angeles is in the midst ofpossibly the worst brush season ever,” said LAFD Chief Douglas Barry.”Planning and preparations are essential in order to maximize your safetywhen an unstoppable fire passes over your house.”

LAPD Chief William Bratton said the brush fire evacuation exercise “providesthe LAPD with an excellent opportunity to test and analyze its responsecapabilities, while establishing partnerships with other city departments andcommunity groups.”