On Saturday, April 5, one block of Vista Avenue in front of City Hall became a street fair for public safety with two jumpy houses, free hot dogs & chips, and “Sparky” the firefighter mascot.

An emergency preparedness kit was displayed in a car.

The family fun had a serious purpose with experts and information on disaster preparedness and public safety. The “Safety House” trailer stressed fire prevention and offered methods for improving residential structure survival of earthquakes.

Firefighters showed off their quick response (down the pole!) responding to an emergency. Also in the emptied fire station garage, were displays, experts and informational brochures on disaster preparedness and fire prevention.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) exhibited earthquake hazards, and PG&E brought exhibits on electrical and gas emergencies.

The fair was a joint effort of the Piedmont Fire Department and the Piedmont Public Safety Committee. Fire Chief Bud McLaren, Police Chief Rikki Goede and former chair of the Public Safety Committee Michael Gardner were present.

– In a novel Piedmont proceeding, the City Council deliberated publicly as to who should be the chairperson of the now permanent Piedmont Public Safety Committee (PSC). –

The PSC resolution adopted by the Council on January 6, 2014 calls for the Council to make a selection of the chairperson. (See Council minutes )  The resolution is unusual because the chairpersons of other Piedmont commissions and committees are chosen by the group, rather than the City Council. Additionally, the term of the chairperson of the PSC is three years, rather than a typical one year term for chairpersons.

Acting City Attorney, Michelle Kenyon’s instructions on the long established sunshine law, the Brown Act, prohibited the Council from moving the committee and commission selections to a Closed Session.  The selection process was awkward, as the Council for years had become accustomed to discussing and choosing among the committee and commission candidates outside of public view in “Closed Sessions”.  (see PCA article) .

The PSC charge requires the chairperson to participate in the selection and interviewing of prospective new members of the Committee. As the interviews for the Committee are to be held on March 31,  the Council moved ahead with the selection of a new chairperson.

Sue Lin, current PSC member and applicant for the chairperson position, stated the current chairperson, Michael Gardner, completes his term at the end of March, leaving a question of the necessity to replace him prior to the interview and selection date on March 31.

The Council discussed the two candidates, Sue Lin and Lyman Shaffer, giving both high praise and exclaiming how fortunate it was to have two experienced and capable individuals interested in becoming chairperson of the PSC. There were no negative comments made about either candidate. Statements by the Council emphasized the need to further develop emergency preparedness and increase collaboration with the schools.

Council member Teddy King made a motion to appoint Lin as chairperson for which there was no second until Mayor Margaret Fujioka asked Counsel Kenyon if she could second the motion. Upon permission, Fujioka seconded the motion. She then called for the vote, which failed with Rood, McBain and Weiler voting no.  A second motion to approve Shaffer as chairperson passed with aye votes from Rood, McBain, Weiler, and King. Fujioka voted no to the Shaffer appointment.

http://www.piedmontcivic.org/2012/03/31/council-appoints-residents-to-commissions-and-committees/

Saturday, April 5, 2014, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Save the date.

The Piedmont Fire Department (PFD) and the Public Safety Committee invite Piedmont citizens of all ages to attend the PFD Open House and Disaster Preparedness Fair on Saturday, April 5, 2014, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont.

The PFD will close Vista Avenue to traffic between Highland and Bonita to make room for two jumpy houses, free hot dogs & chips, and the “Sparky” fire and earthquake education trailer. Children will be able to climb on a fire truck and peek inside an ambulance while adults practice using a fire extinguisher and learn about all the programs and services the Fire Department has to offer.

Firefighters will demonstrate their quick response (down the pole!) when called for an emergency. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) will showcase their exhibit on earthquake hazards, and PG&E will have exhibits on electrical and gas emergencies.

Volunteers with the Public Safety Committee will be on hand to help residents sign up for the Piedmont’s emergency alert system, Code Red, and help neighbors get organized to support one another during and after a major disaster. Volunteers from the Recreation Department will have a booth with information of safety for seniors.

Attendees can learn how to create an emergency preparedness kit for the home, car and/or office and see what supplies the PFD has in our City Emergency locker at Havens Elementary School.

This event will be a fun and interactive way for Piedmonters to get a behind-the-scenes look at our Fire Department and get prepared for the next “big one.”

What is our legacy?

– Piedmont Police and Fire Department sent out the following advisory:

The City of Piedmont has received multiple phone calls reporting smoke and ashes in the air. This is the result of an 8 alarm brush fire in the area of Suisun City. Please call 911 ONLY if you see active flames or rising smoke in your area.  (10/4/2013 5:26:56 PM EST)

The Piedmont Police Department has produced flyers “Keeping Piedmont Safe: 10 Tips to Better Crime Prevention at Home.” Advice is offered about locks, landscaping, lighting, and alarm systems. Emphasis is placed on cooperating with neighbors to increase safety.

Video surveillance systems are recommended focused on approaches to the residence as well as interior vulnerable points. These systems can assist the Police Department in crime investigation following an incident in the neighborhood.

When no one is home, a radio, television or simulated barking dog can create the impression that occupants are present. When children are alone at home, they should not give that information to anyone at the door or on the phone.

The “Keeping Piedmont Safe: 10 Tips to Better Crime Prevention at Home” flyers are available at the Police Department.

– The Piedmont Public Safety Committee will meet Thursday, October 3, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue.  The Committee’s agenda includes:

2. Update on Neighborhood Watch Meetings

3. Code Red Implementation Status Report (new emergency notification)

4. Update on ALPR Installation (license plate readers)

5. Update on Piedmont School District Outreach (collaboration on safety)

6. Harvest Festival Event Recap (results of Committee’s participation)

7. Discussion on Distribution of PSC/Boy Scouting For Food Flyer

8. Discussion on Co-Sponsored PSC/Fire Department Disaster Preparedness Forum/Town Hall/Fire House Event ( proposed Town Hall meeting on disaster preparedness)

9. Update on Disaster Preparedness Training & Curriculum

The public is welcome to attend and participate in the meeting.  There has been no announcement regarding public broadcast of the meeting.

– Helicopters, sirens, and a rapid response – 

Residents in central Piedmont on Tuesday afternoon, September 24 wondered why helicopters were hovering overhead from approximately 3 to 3:30 pm.  Based on verbal statements,  a fire was reported on Maxwelton Road to the Piedmont Fire Department (PFD) at 2:25 pm. The  response was immediate, but the fire was well advanced and had consumed the house and threatened the neighboring properties. Eight PFD officers with the assistance of the  Oakland Fire Department had the entire blaze rapidly under control. The apparent origin of the fire was at 150 Maxwelton Road, which was reported to be a complete loss. Two neighboring houses suffered roof damage, smoke permeation and other unknown losses. This is the most serious Piedmont fire since the devastating Oakland Hills firestorm of 1991, Fire Chief Warren McLaren told NBC news.

No one was injured.

The PFD intended to remain at the site of the fire throughout the ensuing night to arrest potential sparks or flame ups.

The three circling helicopters were news media.

Click for a photo and further information.

Click to view video of fire.

Click for more information on the fire.

Click for TV news.

– Residents who are subscribers to the existing system must register for the CodeRED system to continue to receive alerts after September 16. – 

The Piedmont Police and Fire Departments are now offering Emergency Notifications through a system called CodeRED.

This new system utilizes telephone calls, email, text messages, and/or a mobile app to notify residents of emergencies and other public safety related news. Residents who register for the City’s CodeRED emergency notification system will receive notices regarding public safety situations, major street closures, planned power outages, and other emergency situations at the same time information is sent to the press.

The City of Piedmont provides this service to residents at no charge. Residents are encouraged to visit the City’s web site at http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us and click on the CodeRED Emergency Notifications item for a link to register. Registration is simple. All you need is your name, address, and phone number. Residents who do not have access to the internet may call Barbara MacLean at the Piedmont Fire Department at (510) 420-3028.

The CodeRED alert system will be launched with a City wide notification. The City will conduct a test alert using a telephone voice recorded message. This message will provide our residents with information regarding CodeRED, and instructions on how to register to receive emergency alerts.

The City’s existing Public Safety Dispatches email notifications will be discontinued on September 16, 2013. Residents who are subscribed to the existing system must register for the CodeRED system to continue to receive alerts.

This information is provided by the City of Piedmont.

At its Thursday, August 29, 5:30 p.m. meeting in the Council Chambers, the Public Safety Committee will discuss potential steps Piedmonters can take to make their homes more secure. The following is the draft proposal.

Securing Homes in Piedmont

In response to increases in home burglaries and other crimes, the Piedmont Police Department and the Piedmont Public Safety Committee would like to offer the following steps that residents should consider:

1. Do not hesitate to contact the Police Department when you observe suspicious activity. The Police can be reached by calling 420-3000 or 911 if the matter is urgent.

2. Get to know your neighbors so you can mutually watch out for each other’s homes especially if they see activity at your home while you are away at work or on vacation.

3. Work with your neighbors to help organize Neighborhood Watch meetings where the Police Department can discuss various measures that can be taken and respond to concerns specific to the neighborhood. The Fire Department is also available to provide information on disaster preparedness. Meetings can be arranged by contacting the Police Department Secretary at 420-3020.

4. Make sure that your home is kept locked even during the day. Locks should be in good working order with a preference for dead bolt locks and reinforced latches.

5. Do not leave first level windows open. Ladders which could allow someone to enter upstairs windows should be stored out of sight and preferably in a locked place.

6. Compile an inventory of valuable property such as laptops, televisions, smart phones, jewelry,  credit cards etc.  Store the inventory in a safe location. If possible, also mark the items with your driver’s license number to facilitate their identification by law enforcement. An etching tool is available for loan through the Police Department.

7. Secure expensive jewelry in a safe deposit box, a floor mounted safe, or an unobtrusive place within the home.

8. Trim landscaping to ensure that the exterior of the home, particularly entrances and windows, are visible from the street.

9. Consider the installation of motion activated exterior lighting particularly for front and back entrances and driveways. This provides an element of safety from tripping as well as alerting residents to the presence of unwanted visitors. (Please consider possible lighting impacts on your neighbors.)

10. Consider leaving a radio or television on when not at home.

11. Barking dogs are also a deterrent. An alternative is to purchase an alarm system that simulates the barking of a dog as people approach the house when you are out. Various products can be found by simple internet searches.

12. If you go on vacation, ask your neighbors to watch for newspapers, mail, or package deliveries on your porch. Ensure that recycling containers are taken out on schedule. Ask someone to park in your driveway and use automated timers in the living and bedroom areas to make it appear someone is there. The Police Department will also perform vacation checks on your home if requested.

13. Consider the installation of a home alarm system. These systems can sound at the home or can be monitored by an alarm company for a monthly fee. Most systems provide a warning when a door or window is opened. Others use motion detection or more advanced technologies.

Ask the alarm company for signs which you can place on or near doors and windows so that potential thieves know you have such a system. Ensure that any alarm company you are considering is licensed by the State and ask for references.

14. Consider the installation of a video surveillance system. The scope and complexity of such a system can vary depending on the type chosen, the level of coverage, the availability of electricity, internet connectivity, and other factors. Costs can range from as little as $150 per camera up to several thousand dollars. Recommended coverage would include approaches to the residence, particularly driveways, as well as at least some coverage inside the residence.

As with alarms, a State licensed supplier is recommended as well as references. Residents with such systems are encouraged (but not required) to advise the Police Department as this will help them to more effectively follow up in the event of a crime at or near your home.

While there can be no guarantee that your home will not be victimized, the above measures will make your home less attractive to criminals and are strongly encouraged.