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Assemblymember Portantino Calls for Town Hall to Improve
Emergency Response and Preparedness Following Station Fire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2009
CONTACT: Michael Tamariz
(916) 319-2044
SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Member Anthony Portantino (D – La Ca ñada Flintridge) submitted a
letter to Matthew Bettenhousen, Acting Secretary of the California Emergency Management Agency, calling for
the agency’s support and participation in a Town Hall to debrief the public on the response to the historic Station
Fire. In the October 5th letter, Assembly Member Portantino seeks Cal EMA’S help in using the Station Fire
response as a tool to improve public safety in California.
While the tremendous work done by firefighters fighting the blaze has been properly lauded, reports and news
stories have surfaced that question decisions made at the outset of the fire. These reports have raised concerns as
to whether some of these early decisions and the deployment of air resources need further evaluation, study and
improvement.
“It is my hope that the concerns being expressed lead the California Emergency Management Agency and other
agencies to come together publicly to share plans on how California hopes to improve its emergency response,” said
Portantino. “Most people and organizations improve their performance when there are periodic reviews of past
experiences. This historic fire provides us with a logical reference point to have a public discussion in order to
improve our emergency response should a similar situation again arise in California.”
The letter specifically requested a review and discussion of what went right and wrong, ways to improve response
for the next time, the role and availability of air resources for fire suppression, and the steps and precautions that
should be taken to mitigate the dangers associated with mud slides going forward.
“I’m optimistic that Secretary Bettenhousen and his counterparts at the other State emergency response agencies
will view this request as an opportunity for reflection and improvement so that we can continue to reduce the threat
that fires pose to our communities”
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