CERT General Meeting

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 – 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

HQ, 3205 Lakewood Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90808

______________________________________________________________________


  1. Steve Gratch, CERT President called the meeting to order by welcoming everyone and introducing our guest speaker.

  1. Those in attendance (21):



Last Name

First Name


Last Name

First Name

Allen

Patty

Hanson

Roy

Ardinger

Barbara

Katzen

Rebecca

* Berg

Bob

Mason

Greg

Brockman

Bettina

Mayo

Thomas

Brownson

Lewis

Nash

Will

Elliott

Vickie

Nelson, Jr.

Williams

Ferrelli

Debra

Wells

Karen

Frahm

Vivian

Williams

Chuck

Gillott

Priscilla

Viser

Cordell

Goodman

Sam

Womack

Milton

Gratch

Steve




  1. Guest Speaker – Bob Berg

Water Department Security & Emergency Preparedness Manager


Since its formation in 1911, the LB Water Department has been delivering a dependable water supply and surpassing all water quality standards to the City population of 492,000, the fifth largest City in the State of California. The Department is now known as the an international water department, as we have had the King of Morocco, the King of Tanga, and other international dignitaries visit the department on the development of water desalination.


From the Board of Water Commissioners to the highly skilled technicians who service our neighborhood, they are dedicated to returning our water and sewer rate investment, sustaining our quality of life, and continuing to strive toward becoming the most effective, efficient, and competitive Water Department in California.


Where does the Long Beach water supply come from?

From the San Gabriel Mountains to the north, traveling down the San Gabriel River watershed and slowly making it’s way underground to our City. 42% of out City’s supply is imported water purchased from MWD (Metropolitan Water District of Southern California) that comes from the Colorado River through the Sacramento River/and San Joaquin Delta via the State Water Project. The 62.5 million gallons of water per day is treated at our Water Treatment Plan through a multi-stage process before it is distributed to our City households.


If we have a major earthquake, as the San Andrea’s Fault crosses most of the State and the major areas of our water supply, Long Beach will loose 50% of our water.


Water Department no longer bottles water due to the fact that plastic bottles contain a chemical that may be hazardous to our health. Mr. Berg highly recommends that we drink Long Beach water as it is considered the best drinking water in the State plus it is cheaper than bottled water that we purchase.


At the end of Cherry Avenue by the Long Beach Lifeguard Headquarters, the Water Department has laid large diameter pipes under the sand covered with water to draw water for desalination process that will take three or four more years to complete the desalination process.


Water Department uses recycled water to irrigate city parks, golf courses, cemeteries and athletic fields, replacing millions of gallons of imported potable water that would otherwise be used. Recycled water is even replacing use of potable water for industrial purposes.


BIG ISSUE: Not trying to scare us but being honest, Mr. Berg told us that we would be having a major water shortage sooner than later. He highly recommends that we start conserving water voluntarily before the City or County starts making it mandatory.


For more information on water conservation, water quality report, seawater desalination, recycled water, etc. go on the Internet and select (www.lbwater.org).


  1. May 17th – LA County/LB CERT Area Refresher Drill-Hosted by LBFD CERT

A large-scale area refresher drill will be held at the LBFD Training Center. 2249 Argonne Avenue for all certified CERT members to come and refresh their skills learned in CERT classes. The event starts at 8 AM and goes on all day to about 5 PM. Needed for this event are drill participants and a handful of volunteer helpers. Come and enjoy the day and refresh your CERT Skills.

      1. An application for participation for this event will be posted on the LB CERT Website for those members interested in participating.

      2. Parking will be at Tucker Elementary School, corner of Stearns Street and Argonne Avenue or street parking.

      3. 300 hundred persons are signed up as of today’s date.


    1. May 31st – CPR Saturday, the American Red Cross and the Long Beach Fire Department will host this event.

      1. Location: Long Beach City College, 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, CA.

      2. Time: Starts at 8 AM and goes on all day thru approximately 5 PM.

      3. Registration: May 1 thru May 21, 2008 At American Red Cross, 3150 E. 29th St., Long Beach, CA or on-line at www.longbeachcpr.org for a guaranteed spot and lower price.


Available Classes

Cost *

Length

Adult CPR

$7

3 Hours

Adult + Child/Infant CPR

$13

5 Hours

First Aid

$7

1 Hour

Pet First Aid

$7

1.5 Hours

Safe Kids Training (ages 7-12)

$7

3 Hours

* Cost for pre-registration by May 21, 2008


    1. State Wide “Golden Guardian” Drill, November 2008

      1. Scenario - Simulated 7.8 Earthquake.

      2. Date 11/30/08 – 10 AM

      3. Participants will be from San Diego to the South to Sacramento to the North.

      4. Agencies that will be participating:

        1. Schools

        2. Businesses

        3. Private organizations

        4. City and municipal organizations

        5. Military

        6. State agencies.

v. For more information go to the Internet and select (www.shakeout.org).


  1. Additional Business

    1. CERT Class

      1. Will start on May 22, 2008, 6-9 PM at LB Fire Training Center, 2249 Argonne Ave., Classroom #2, Long Beach, CA 90814

      2. Get friends, family, neighbors interested, as there are still a few openings for the class.

      3. New CERT instructor, Josh Johnson, will teach the class.

    2. CERT Election

      1. Everyone on the current CERT Board was re-elected for another term each by 19 votes, with the following exceptions:

        1. Roy Hansen, retired but now an active volunteer with the Greater LB American Red Cross was voted as the CERT Treasurer, the only open position on the Board, with a count of 14 votes. He graciously accepted the position.

        2. Other CERT member interested in the position was Louis Brownson who received 5 votes.

        3. Barbara Ardinger showed interest on the Vice President position, but Patty Allen was re-elected with 18 votes.

    3. Increased CERT Interest

      1. Due to EQ in China and tornadoes in the Midwest.

        1. As a Long Beach CERT member, BE PREPARED for at least seven days, in case a major event in the City.

    4. Emergency Kits

      1. Per Roy Hansen, about 1000 emergency kits are being distributed to low-income residents of Long Beach, as long as they attend an ARC 1 hour presentation on emergency preparedness.

  1. Next CERT Meetings

    1. CERT Board Meeting – Tuesday, June 3, 2008

    2. CERT General Meeting – Tuesday, June 10, 2008

      1. Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM

      2. Location: LBFD Headquarters, 3205 Lakewood Blvd. Downstairs Training Room, Long Beach, CA 90808 (Subject to change)


Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM


Minutes respectfully submitted by: Priscilla Gillott, CERT Secretary




CERT General Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, May 13, 2008

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