Portola Valley Update January 16, 2025

This week's update:

• New Year, New Mayor, New Vice Mayor and New Councilmembers
• Has your Home Insurance Premium Increased in the Last 3 years?
• A Tip from the Wildfire Preparedness Committee - How to Help with the Los Angeles County Wildfires
• Happy New Year from the Woodside Fire Protection District!
• Public Resources Relevant to Earthquake Resilience for Town Residents
• WFPD Reminder - Home Assessments
• Help Protect California's Natural Spaces
• Upcoming Events

New Year, New Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilmembers

Each year in December our Town Council reorganizes to select the Mayor and Vice Mayor for the coming year. By nomination, the Council voted to unanimously to elect Vice Mayor Judith Hasko into the Mayoral role and Councilmember Craig Taylor to move into the Vice Mayor role for 2025.

In addition to the reoriginization, the Town welcomed two newly elected council members, Helen Wolter and Rebecca Flynn.

We look forward to working with our Town's new leadership team over the coming year!

Has your Home Insurance Premium Increased in the Last 3 years?

If so, please take 10 minutes to participate in the Portola Valley Insurance Survey and help the town to track changes in home insurance policies within the community. The higher participation rates will result in more data, please share this link with your neighbors. This initiative aims to gather data on home insurance cancellations, premium changes, and coverage adjustments that affect Portola Valley residents.

Additionally, residents can provide information on their current insurance policies or indicate if they lack insurance. By participating in this survey, you contribute valuable information that helps the Town understand the landscape of home insurance in Portola Valley.

A Tip from the Wildfire Preparedness Committee - How to Help with the Los Angeles County Wildfires

This past week, we have all been horrified by the disastrous megafires in Los Angeles, and some of our local firefighters have gone there to help. Here’s how you can help too.

California Volunteers is the state office tasked with engaging Californians in service and volunteering. Their Wildfire recovery page lists volunteer opportunities and places to donate:

• LA Works is listing organizations that have specifically asked for help
• The LA Times is also maintaining a list of volunteer opportunities and where to donate
• The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation has specific funding needs during this wildfire

Happy New Year from the Woodside Fire Protection District!

As we welcome 2025, we’re excited for the opportunities a new year brings. At WFPD, we’re committed to your safety and preparedness, and 2025 means new enhancements and technology to make our programs even better for the community.

Thank you for your continued support—here’s to a safe, healthy, and prosperous year ahead!

WFPD January Newsletter

Public Resources Relevant to Earthquake Resilience for Town Residents

PUBLIC RESOURCES RELEVANT TO EARTHQUAKE RESILIENCE FOR TOWN RESIDENTS

Public agencies have prepared several FAQ sheets about earthquake hazards and risks relevant to town residents. These FAQ sheets are available online and cover topics from how to prepare before a damaging earthquake, what to do during an earthquake, and what to do following an earthquake. Some of these documents can be found via the links below (this fact sheet is adapted from: www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-can-I-do- be-prepared-earthquake).

BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE

There are four basic steps you can take to be more prepared for an earthquake:

Step 1: Secure your space by identifying hazards and firmly securing moveable items.

Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan, namely: (a) decide how you will

communicate in an emergency; (b) plan what route you will use to leave town

after an earthquake if necessary.

Step 3: Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations. Be prepared for your

house to have no power, water or heating for up to two weeks.

Step 4: Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents,

strengthening your property, and considering insurance.

What emergency supplies do I need for an earthquake?

• Fire extinguisher
• Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water in easy to find locations
• First-aid kit and handbook
• Flashlights with extra bulbs and batteries; portable radio with extra batteries
• Adequate supply of medications family members are taking
• At least two weeks of drinking water for each family member; purification tablets or
• Chlorine bleach to purify water from other sources

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

What should I do DURING an earthquake?

• If you are INDOORS—STAY THERE!
• Get under a desk or table and hang on to it (Drop, Cover, and Hold on!) or move into a hallway or against an inside wall.
• STAY CLEAR of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances.
• GET OUT of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place where objects can fall on you.
• DO NOT run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling or being hit by falling glass or debris.

What should I NOT do during an earthquake?

• DO NOT turn on the gas if you turned it off; wait for the gas company do it.
• DO NOT use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, and appliances UNTIL you are sure there are no gas leaks. (They could create a spark that might ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire.)
• DO NOT use your telephone, EXCEPT for a medical or fire emergency. (You could tie up the lines needed for emergency personnel.)

What can I expect in my house when an earthquake occurs? What can be done?

Contents in your home may be damaged and be dangerous. Shaking can cause light

fixtures to fall, refrigerators and other items to move across the floor, bookcases and

television sets to topple over.

IDENTIFY:

• Look around your house for things that could fall or move.
• Could cupboard doors fly open and dishes to shatter on the floor?
• Are TV and stereo firmly fastened down; are shelves fastened the wall?
• Do you have hanging plants that might fall?
• Is there a heavy picture or a mirror hanging on the wall or over a bed?

WHAT CAN BE DONE:

• Installing door latches, braces, and fasteners will fix many of these hazards.

AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE

What do I do AFTER an earthquake?

• WEAR STURDY SHOES to avoid injury from broken glass and debris.
• CHECK FOR INJURIES If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, use clean gauze or cloth if available. If a person is not breathing administer CPR.
• DO NOT move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger.
• COVER injured persons with blankets to keep warm.
• SEEK medical help for serious injuries.
• Expect aftershocks.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Woodside Fire Protection District:: www.woodsidefire.org/earthquake
• San Mateo County: www.smcgov.org/earthquake-preparedness
• State of California: www.listoscalifornia.org/disaster-readiness
• US Geological Survey DYFI: earthquake.usgs.gov/data/dyfi
• US Geological Survey ShakeAlert: www.usgs.gov/faqs/shakealert

Compiled by the Portola Valley Geologic Safety Committee, January 2025

WFPD Reminder - Home Assessments

The Woodside Fire Protection District is now 6 months into completing home assessments for fuel mitigation compliance. Over 150 door hangers have been left on resident doors, asking homeowners to contact us to schedule their assessments.

Important Reminders:

• Local Ordinance Compliance: Homeowners are required to comply with the Fuel Mitigation Ordinance, with 12 months allowed for completion.
• Completed Assessments: If we’ve assessed your property, you have 6 months remaining before the enforcement process for noncompliance begins.

We’ve noticed limited activity on the Fire Aside database for homeowners logging in and uploading compliance photos. You can also call us to schedule a reinspection.

https://www.woodsidefire.org/our-district/vegetation-management-defensible-space/home-assessments

Help Protect California's Natural Spaces

Learn how you can be part of the state’s ambitious plan to address climate change and protect diversity through California’s ambitious 30x30 initiative at a free program from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, at the Burlingame Community Center, 850 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame. There is no charge for admission, but preregistration is requested at https;//shorturl.at/rPWHJ

Presented by the Citizens Environmental Council, the “30x30 California” program will feature organizers of local projects aimed at achieving the initiative’s goal of conserving 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. It is part of a worldwide pledge by more than 100 countries started in 2020.

Stu Weiss of Creekside Science, Kellyx Nelson of the San Mateo Resource Conservation District and Liz Chamberlin of Point Blue Conservation Science will describe their efforts to achieve 30x30 goals across public and private lands throughout San Mateo County. Their work in parks, open spaces, farms and ranches spans scientific research, habitat restoration and nature-based solutions to climate change. They will explain how individuals can participate in supporting the initiative’s success. For more info about the Citizens Environmental Council, visit cecburlingame.org or email info@cecburlingme.org.