Emergency Preparedness and
Safety Commission
City of Pacifica 1
Annual Report to
City Council
June 13, 2022
May 2021 through
May 2022
Commissioners
Doug Hladky, Chair
Debra Johnson, Vice Chair
Frank Erbacher
Jeanne Salisbury
Gregor Blackburn
Evelyn Taverna
Feliks Gasanyan
Jay Crawford
Peter Balestreri
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Past Commissioners
Breck Hitz (term ended October 2021)
Charlie Lotridge (resigned February 2022)
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The Role of the Commission
The purpose of the Emergency Preparedness &
Safety Commission shall be to recommend and
advise the City Council on City programs,
activities, plans and other related actions that
assist the City in preparing for possible future
disasters.
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Commission Members
The Commission consists of nine (9) members
appointed by the City Council, to a four year term.
The commission membership should, where
possible, be representative of the City's
neighborhood areas. In addition to the nine
regular members, there shall be three (3) ex
officio members who shall be representatives from
the high school and elementary school districts,
and from the American Red Cross.
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Commission Membership
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Ex-Officio Members
Jorge Machado, Pacifica School District
Marcus Peppers, Jefferson Union High School District
Betty Fleming, American Red Cross
Council Liaison
Mayor Pro Tem Tygarjas Bigstyck
Staff Liaisons
Captain Chris Clements
Sergeant Tom Cumming
The Role of the Commission
The powers and duties of the Commission shall
be advisory only and include
To assist in the preparation and review and
make recommendations to Council on disaster
preparedness plans;
To increase community awareness of the
possibility of future disasters and the need for
disaster preparedness;
To develop and distribute disaster
preparedness information in the City;
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The Role of the Commission
To develop, implement and promote, with
Council approval, disaster preparedness
programs and activities in the City;
To promote and develop resources, volunteer
and self-help groups to be utilized in the event
of a local disaster;
To assist in the coordinating of disaster
preparedness with other governmental
agencies.
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The Role of the Commission
Additionally, the commission sits as the appellate
body for appeals relating to abandoned/
inoperable vehicle abatement, vehicles parked 72
hours or more and appeals of staff decisions
relating to traffic safety issues.
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Year in Review
COVID-19 safety measures in 2021 continued to
prevent the Commission from conducting in person
meetings. Commissioners held virtual meetings via
Zoom, were kept apprised of the City’s COVID-19
response and efforts to keep the community
informed about the availability of testing and
vaccinations. Social media was utilized extensively
to promote COVID resources. In March 2022, when
COVID-19 mandates were relaxed, in person
commission meetings resumed.
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Year in Review
COVID 19 Response
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Year in Review
Special Presentations
Following another historic wildfire season across
the state, the Commission continued to focus
efforts on the City’s wildfire preparedness.
Several presentations in 2021 focused on these
topics, including a presentation from the Director
of San Mateo County Parks about their new 5
year plan for vegetation management, and
specifically wildfire mitigation efforts at our
San Pedro County Park
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Year in Review
Special Presentations
The North County Fire Authority pursued several
wildfire mitigation and vegetation management
grants. NCFA made a number of presentations to
the Commission over the past year providing
updates on the grant application process and
subsequent grant programs. These programs
were promoted on City social media. NCFA also
coordinated a virtual wildfire preparedness event
in 2021, and will host a similar in person event on
June 11 this year.
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Year in Review
Disaster Preparedness
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Year in Review
LHMP Update
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In 2021 the City updated their volume of the
Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan,
a large regional and cross-jurisdictional plan for
the reduction of risk from natural and manmade disasters.
The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
assesses hazard vulnerabilities and identifies
mitigation actions to reduce the level of injury,
property damage, and community disruption
Year in Review
LHMP Update
City of Pacifica 16
that might otherwise result from such events.
Adoption of the LHMP helps the City and
participating jurisdictions remain eligible for
various types of pre- and post-disaster
community assistance, such as grants, from the
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) and the State government. Disasters
do not know jurisdictional boundaries. The City
partnered with the County of San Mateo
Year in Review
LHMP Update
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and 36 local governments and regional special
districts for this process. The LHMP update
was informed by a steering committee and
robust public engagement. This process was
lead by City staff from the Planning,
Engineering and Police Departments. The
Commission received updates from staff
throughout this process. Our volume of the
LHMP was adopted by City Council in
November 2021.
Year in Review
LHMP Update
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Year in Review
Promoting Preparedness
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The Commission encouraged expanded use of
social media and virtual events to promote
emergency preparedness during COVID. The
topics often coincided with state and nationwide
events and campaigns. The City promoted
disaster preparedness, earthquake readiness,
tsunami preparedness, the state earthquake
early warning system, alert notification systems
(SMCAlert), public safety power shut offs, and
fire weather alerts.
Year in Review
Social Media
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Year in Review
Virtual Presentations
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This also included presenting the CERT
Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness
Classes using a virtual format on Zoom
Year in Review
Virtual Presentations
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In 2021 the North County Fire Authority hosted
a virtual Wildfire Awareness Event
using Zoom
Year in Review
Special Presentations
The Commission received special
presentations on a number of topics and from
a variety of organizations this past year
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Year in Review
North County Fire Authority
Vegetation Management Grants Application
Process
2021 Wildfire Preparedness Virtual Event
Vegetation Management Grants Program
Update
Wildfire Awareness Month “Ready, Set, Go!”
Wildfire Preparedness Event June 11
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Year in Review
North County Fire Authority
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Year in Review
Disaster Preparedness
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Pre-pandemic, the Commission engaged in
community outreach through events such as
the Pacific Coast Fog Fest and San Mateo
County Disaster Preparedness Day at the
Fair Grounds. This promoted awareness,
preparedness and programs such as the
Pacifica CERT Program (Community
Emergency Response Team).
Looking Ahead
The Commission looks forward to a return to
in person community events and opportunities
for outreach. Upcoming events include:
Wildfire Preparedness Event, June 11
San Mateo County Disaster
Preparedness Day, July 30
Pacific Coast Fog Fest, September 24, 25
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Looking Ahead to 2022
Wildfire Preparedness- Continued promotion
In person events for community outreach
Return of the CERT Basic Course
Expand use of electronic and social media
Updating of printed materials
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City of Pacifica
Emergency Preparedness and
Safety Commission
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Questions?