La Quinta Cove

Once again,  Station 32 fire engine delivers Santa to Cove the weekend before Christmas.  Here’s a taste of Sunday’s visit:  http://youtu.be/GrOuWqRSzmQ

Old Town was the site for La Quinta’s first “Preparedness Party” to make citizens more aware of resources and preparations needed in case of a major disaster.  Floods, power outage, earthquake, chemical spill….it COULD happen.   In addition to incident vehicles from IID, fire department, and police, our local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) demonstrated techniques to assist in the neighborhoods should the need arise.  Here’s a look:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh3579TA8Gk

On October 20, as a part of the California state-wide “Shake Out”, city staff reacted to a simulated earthquake and the resulting damages across the community.  In addition to city staff, radio operaters, representatives from the school district, Red Cross, police, fire, CVWD and IID were present to work through the scenario.  This was probably the most full-blown drill of any city in the Valley.  We residents can be proud (and feel safer). 

The scenario included bridges damaged plus loss of electricity, gas, water, and phone communications.   Agencies were activated, staff dispatched to survey and set up roadblocks, etc. and press releases were issued once some communication across the valley was established.  In this clip, Paul Hess, La Quinta Emergency services Coordinator, introduces the drill to the first shift assembled in the Emergency Operations Center, in the basement of City Hall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxZRB_vjl_s

Here are a couple of peeks at the action at the Fritz Burns Park, back in the day when it was cool….

Here’s a glimpse of the CERT trainees’ class in the Emergency Operations Center in the basement of  LQ City Hall.  When the Big One comes, this will be the nerve center of the emergency response by City staff and other agencies, such as the fire department, Red Cross, utilities, and trailed CERT volunteers.

Last Saturday (19th), the La Quinta Fire Department escorted Santa through the street of La Quinta for the 56th year!  You may have heard the sirens or visited him yourself.  Here’s a glimpse….

Here are the last two clips of the brand new fire station, taken before Saturday’s grand opening.  Fire Engineer Terry Misenhimer leads the walk-through and commentary.

The final walk through the fire station that served La Quinta for some 50 years.  Fire Captain Anthony Khatami gives us the final look. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFaDeBTxDC4

Fire Captain Anthony Katami takes us through the 60-year old fire station, located on Frances Hack Drive.  He is accompanied by paramedic, John Barton and firefighter Mark Skrainar.  The crews have now moved to the new station on Avenue 5o.  This will give you an idea of how our fire personnel lived and operated from the beginning of time.

All residents be on alert, as the person lighting fires in the palm “skirts” is still  on the loose.  Both the police and fire departments need your help.  If you or your neighbors have palms with dried leaves, keep your property well lit, listen and watch for suspicious noises,call 911 to report a suspicion or an incident, and be ready to use a garden hose until the fire department arrives.

If you are driving around town and see anything suspicious or a person in your neighborhood who doesn’t belong there, call the police non-emergency number 760-836-3215 or 911 if the arson seems to be in progress.  WE ALL NEED TO BE WATCHFUL TO CATCH THIS FELLOW!