We had a fantastic turn-out for our annual  meeting to review Go Bags, Home Kits, Pet Kits, etc.  At the meeting, we discussed what we need in our Go Bags for home, car and work.  We reviewed ideas from SOS and our fellow community members and were reminded to replace expired items in our kits and batteries in our smoke detectors.

Here were some other review topics:

  • Do you have enough water bottles or containers on hand?
  • Do you have several weeks’ groceries at home?
  • Have you checked your First Aid kits for expired products?
  • Do you have an extra supply of medicines available?
  • Are your important documents in a sealed plastic bag & accessible?
  • Do you have a stash of cash, especially small-denominated bills?
  • Is your Go bag/Bug-out bag, etc., easily reached if you need to evacuate?

Jeff Edelstein of SOS Products led us through different types of kits and shared his knowledge for what truly makes a solid Emergency Kit. He demonstrated the latest toys, foods, tools, solar items that are now on the market.

Jeff Hole and John Gilbert were recipients of LAFD Certificates of Appreciation for their amazing volunteer work on the LAFD CERT Call-Out Team.  As the certificate reads: “In recognition of your unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions to the Los Angeles City  Fire Department (LAFD) and the Los Angeles City Community Emergency Response Team, we extend our heartfelt commendation and gratitude.” Jeff and John have logged hundreds of hours through the past years in responding as the LAFD hydration team to large fires and also as look-outs during high fire danger weather events. They have participated in LAFD ceremonies.  We thank them from the bottom of our hearts!

LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman used some of her discretionary funds to pay for a year of ‘rent’ for Battalion 10 to hold their monthly community meetings. We are so grateful. LAFD Chief Aldana gave her a Certificate of Appreciation at the meeting.  It was our ‘first’ meeting back at our old home base and we were so happy to be back!

CERT Valley Bureau Coordinator, Christy Adair, was joined by CERT Central Bureau Coordinator, Patrick Botz-Forbes (left of Christy in the above image in the slideshow) and Chin Thammasaengsri, CERT South Bureau Coordinator (on the left.)