Don Knabe. Working for you.

Emergency Preparedness Accomplishments

2009

Beginning Repair Process for Fire Areas
Critical infrastructure damaged or destroyed in the recent string of wildfires across Los Angeles County will be swiftly repaired under a motion introduced today by Supervisor Don Knabe and Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. The motion gives the County Department of Public Works wide authority to spend up to $25 million to issue emergency contracts and begin repairs to roadways, flood control systems, and utilities that were impacted during the Station, Morris, and Rancho Palos Verdes Fires.
 

Launching County Emergency Notification System

Los Angeles County unveiled a new emergency mass notification system to alert residents and businesses by phone, text, and e-mail of emergencies in their area, Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors announced. Called Alert LA County, the system will allow the Sheriff’s Emergency Communications Center to activate local and regional alerts by drawing the boundaries of the area to be notified on a computer map. Recorded and written alerts will provide information on the nature of the emergency and necessary actions, such as evacuations. The system is so precise it will allow the exclusion of a single home, useful in situations involving hostages or crimes in progress.

Calling For Yearly Metrolink Emergency/Disaster Training

Supervisors Don Knabe and Michael D. Antonovich introduced a motion before the Metrolink Board of Directors, requiring mandatory annual disaster simulation and emergency management training exercises for all five counties served by the agency (Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San  Bernardino, and Riverside). The motion directs the Metrolink CEO to seek input from County, State and Federal emergency management agencies and other urban commuter rail agencies to develop a risk assessment analysis of the current Metrolink system’s single-tracking, at-grade highway/rail crossings, freight movement coordination, terrorist targets, tunnels, bridges, and stations.

Evaluating Disaster Response of Metrolink Accident

In the wake of the Metrolink train disaster in Chatsworth, Supervisor Don Knabe called for a comprehensive report evaluating the overall disaster response to the accident. The Board of Supervisors approved Knabe’s motion that directed the County’s Chief Executive Office, in close cooperation with Los Angeles City and with the support of the County Coroner, Mental Health, and other participating County departments, to evaluate the initial disaster response. The final report should provide findings, conclusions and recommendations regarding the following subjects: timeliness; speed and effectiveness with which incident command and control was established and maintained; suitability and sufficiency of resources to safely extract and rescue victims; adequacy and effectiveness of communications, including means to respond to concerned family members, press and public.

2008

Calling For Yearly Metrolink Emergency/Disaster Training

Supervisors Don Knabe and Michael D. Antonovich introduced a motion before the Metrolink Board of Directors, requiring mandatory annual disaster simulation and emergency management training exercises for all five counties served by the agency (Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San  Bernardino, and Riverside). The motion directs the Metrolink CEO to seek input from County, State and Federal emergency management agencies and other urban commuter rail agencies to develop a risk assessment analysis of the current Metrolink system’s single-tracking, at-grade highway/rail crossings, freight movement coordination, terrorist targets, tunnels, bridges, and stations.

Evaluating Disaster Response of Metrolink Accident

In the wake of the Metrolink train disaster in Chatsworth, Supervisor Don Knabe called for a comprehensive report evaluating the overall disaster response to the accident. The Board of Supervisors approved Knabe’s motion that directed the County’s Chief Executive Office, in close cooperation with Los Angeles City and with the support of the County Coroner, Mental Health, and other participating County departments, to evaluate the initial disaster response. The final report should provide findings, conclusions and recommendations regarding the following subjects: timeliness; speed and effectiveness with which incident command and control was established and maintained; suitability and sufficiency of resources to safely extract and rescue victims; adequacy and effectiveness of communications, including means to respond to concerned family members, press and public.

2007

Protecting our Homeland Security
Supervisor Knabe has been appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the President’s Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC). In announcing the appointment, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the Council is his primary group of advisers, providing advice and recommendations on homeland security issues. It is comprised of experts from state and local governments, first responder communities, academia and the private sector.
 

Testing Early Warning Loudspeakers in Marina del Rey
The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors tested several different early warning loudspeaker systems at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey. Several companies competed for the County’s use of their device. The equipment is being considered as part of a mass notification warning system for residents and visitors in Marina del Rey in the event of impending danger from either a natural or human-made disaster.

Acquiring New Mobile Hospital for Disaster Response
The County of Los Angeles will acquire a new mobile hospital to provide support to local hospitals in the event of a large-scale disaster such as an earthquake, pandemic influenza, or bioterrorism incident, thanks to a Homeland Security grant accepted by the Board of Supervisors.

2006

Advising the Governor on Emergency Preparedness Issues

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Supervisor Knabe to the California Emergency Council on May 5, 2006. This Council is the official advisory group to the Governor during an emergency and on emergency preparedness issues. Additionally, the Council may advise the Governor on the State Emergency Plan and on the approval of orders and regulations.
 

Joint Regional Intelligence Center Opens

The Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC) opened on July 27, 2006 in the City of Norwalk. It is the first of its kind in the nation, but will soon be joined by three additional regional centers in Louisiana, Maryland and New York. JRIC is designed to provide a common information and intelligence sharing network for local police and federal agents working in the seven-county region to assist in the investigation of terrorist activities and other potential threats.
 

Assisting the President on Homeland Security Issues

Supervisor Knabe serves as a member of the State and Local Elected Officials Senior Advisory Committee to President Bush’s Homeland Security Council. The purpose of this Committee is to provide the President's Homeland Security Advisory Council with advice on increasing America's security from experts representing state and local government.
 

Providing 24-Hour Lifeguard Coverage

Supervisor Don Knabe has secured $428,250 in the County's Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Budget to fund 24-hour staffing for Los Angeles County Lifeguards at Baywatch Cabrillo in San Pedro. The LA Harbor will now have 24 hour lifeguard coverage; this is important in case of an emergency (i.e. terrorist problem, air crash, problem on a cruise ship, etc.) Specifically, Baywatch Cabrillo will assume more search and rescue responsibilities from the United States Coast Guard, allowing the Coast Guard to commit more time and resources to ensuring the security of the nation's and world's fifth largest port complex.
 

Preparing for a Tsunami Disaster

Supervisor Knabe hosted a Tsunami Preparedness Panel to highlight the efforts that are currently underway in Los Angeles County in the event of a tsunami. The Panel consisted of experts who focused on not only on how tsunamis occur, but also what the potential risk is and how the County is working with local cities to prepare for the threat of disaster.

2005

Supervisor Knabe directs County public health officials to update preparedness efforts against the threat of bird flu.

Board of Supervisors accepts a $25 million federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security that will fund emergency prevention efforts.

Long Beach / Los Angeles Port Complex awarded nearly $25 million in federal grants for fortifying security throughout the port facilities. The funds will help protect the ports against small craft and underwater attacks and improvised explosive devices.

Los Angeles Air Force Base remains open, staying off the Department of Defense base closure list.

2004

Efforts to save Los Angeles Air Force Base from the Department of Defense closure list get a major kick-start with a $100,000 grant from Supervisor Knabe. Los Angeles AFB manages $60 billion in defense contracts, including projects under development to improve homeland security.

2003

Congresswoman Jane Harman and Supervisor Knabe lobby in support of the Port Security Act of 2003, ensuring that safety and security funds be earmarked for enhancements at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the nation’s largest port complex.

Federal grant awarded to Los Angeles County for terrorism preparedness activities at area hospitals. The program is designed to involve private hospitals in the development, implementation and evaluation of hospital terrorism preparedness.

95,000 County employees receive Survival Awareness kits as part of the Homeland Survival Campaign announced by Supervisor Knabe.

$30 million in bioterrorism funds awards to Los Angeles County by the National Centers for Disease Control. Supervisor Knabe announces the funds will be used to increase the County’s readiness in case of a bioterrorism attack and other outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Knabe secures $35.6 million in homeland security funds for Los Angeles County. The funding was divided between the County and all 88 cities for exercises, training and equipment for emergency first responders.

2002

Supervisor Knabe leads Board of Supervisors effort to secure increased federal funding for local anti-terrorism activities and emergency preparedness.

The White House appoints Supervisor Knabe as a member of the senior advisory committee of the President’s Homeland Security Council. In this role, Knabe and fellow members advise the Homeland Security Council on increasing America’s security at the local and state level. Knabe is the only appointee from California.

Governor Tom Ridge, Secretary of Homeland Security, accepts Supervisor Knabe’s invitation to visit Los Angeles and tour the County’s operations in the war on terror and emergency preparedness.

2001

Countywide bio-terrorism training exercise opened by Supervisor Knabe. This major training program simulated the County’s ability to respond to a biological terrorist attack and was planned in advance of the events of September 11, 2001.

2000

Federal Flood Insurance mandate lifted for residents living near the lower Los Angeles River after successful lobbying efforts by local elected leaders including Supervisor Knabe. Lifting the mandate saves 370,000 impacted residents nearly $33 million in annual flood insurance premiums.
 

Sediment dredging project completed in Marina del Rey. This five-month project is not only important for recreational boat owners, but also ensures that emergency response ships from the Sheriff’s Department, the Fire Department and the Coast Guard can exit the Marina and respond to ocean-based emergencies.