City participates in Homeland Security efforts
Updated December 23, 2009
Cerritos residents can be assured that the City is fully participating in homeland security efforts to protect the community.
Sheriff's deputies, Volunteers on Patrol and City employees have received additional emergency preparedness training and are participating in crisis response drills. The training is part of the State of California's Standardized Emergency Management System which allows city, county and state emergency services to work together to respond to any disaster.
City representatives attend monthly regional planning meetings to discuss emergency response and disaster preparedness issues. City and Sheriff's Department personnel also meet regularly with ABC Unified School District Representatives to discuss school safety issues and programs.
Sheriff's deputies also maintain a presence at Los Cerritos Center and frequently patrol the Cerritos Towne Center and the City's parks. They also make daily inspections at the City's water wells and reservoirs.
Neighborhood Watch members have been encouraged to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to the Cerritos Sheriff's Station. The City's 180 Neighborhood Watch block captains have received training in providing assistance during a community emergency.
Residents can help protect themselves and their families by assembling an emergency preparedness kit. The kit should contain supplies to sustain a family for 72 hours during regional emergencies that can be caused by security situations or national disasters such as earthquakes. Supplies should include one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, medicines, a first-aid kit, battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, toilet paper and plastic garbage bags. Residents should also keep emergency phone lists updated and choose an out-of-state friend or relative that they and their family members can call after an emergency to report their whereabouts and conditions.
