City of Malibu Staff Teams Up With Community Volunteers to Conduct Wildfire Preparedness Outreach in Eastern Malibu Neighborhoods
The City of Malibu’s Public Safety staff teamed up with members of the Malibu CERT Team, Sheriff’s Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs), and the volunteer Arson Watch to do direct wildfire preparedness outreach in the neighborhoods of Big Rock, Las Flores Mesa, Rambla Pacifico and Rambla Vista on September 26 and October 3.
“With mega-fires ravaging communities across California, it is more important than ever for everyone in Malibu to be prepared for the next catastrophic wildfire,” said Mayor Mikke Pierson. “I applaud the partnership between the City staff and volunteers to go directly into neighborhoods to help residents get prepared, especially in this era of information overload on the internet, social media and the news, which can lead people to tune out.”
The project was part of the City’s ongoing efforts at disaster preparedness and 2020 Wildfire Season preparedness. Those neighborhoods were selected because the eastern section of Malibu did not burn in the Woolsey Fire and has not experienced a major wildfire in years, resulting a huge buildup of trees, vegetation and other fuel for a potential wildfire.
The staff and volunteers walked the areas to make sure the community has the latest information about the City’s Evacuation Plan, Evacuation Zones and evacuation terminology, and a copy of the City’s new Emergency Survival Guide. Between the two Saturdays, 11 teams of volunteers fanned out and contacted nearly 200 residents. The same outreach effort will be conducted in neighborhoods in central and western Malibu in the near future.
Residents were encouraged to get prepared and schedule a free Home Ignition Zone Assessment with Fire Safety Liaison Jerry Vandermeulen. The free no-obligation service provides low and no-cost recommendations for to help homeowners harden their homes against flying embers, a leading cause of homes catching on fire during wildfires. To schedule an appointment, visit www.malibucity.org/firesafety.
To see the City’s Evacuation Plan, Evacuation Zones and to search for the zone you are in, visit www.malibucity.org/evac.
To learn how you can be better prepared for wildfires or other disasters, you can request a printed copy of Malibu’s Emergency Survival Guide or make an appointment to pick up multiple copies to distribute to your neighborhood, school or organization, contact, Sarah Kaplan, Public Safety Specialist, at skaplan@malibucity.org or 310-456-2489, ext. 368. To download or print the guide, visit www.Malibucity.org/SurvivalGuide.
To learn more about the City ‘s disaster preparedness efforts, visit www.malibucity.org/publicsafety.