Arcadia Fire Chief Kurt Norwood says businesses are doing a good job employing fire prevention measures and complying with codes, and that the Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau is ready and willing to help with any questions from businesses.
Chief Norwood was welcomed as the guest speaker at this month’s Government Affairs Forum today (Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014), where a representative from the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority provided details of a major full intersection shutdown tonight for four days, and legislative reps and city officials reported on an upcoming seminar on drones, a job hunters boot camp, and newly approved water restrictions.
Chief Norwood, who joined the department back in the late 80’s and is passionate about maintaining the highest standards in his profession, was introduced by Government Affairs Chairman Jack Orswell.
This monthly event is held in the Chamber’s newly-refurbished conference room sponsored by Foothill Credit Union. If you have not experienced the new conference room or a government affairs forum, they are held the first Thursday of each month. In addition to guest speakers such as Chief Norwood participants get to hear from Federal, State, County and City of Arcadia representatives as well as elected officials and sometimes reports from Gold Line representatives and others.
<Story continues below the following photo gallery from this morning’s Forum…>[flagallery gid=214]Chief Norwood in his presentation indicates that the Arcadia Fire Department has three stations: one on Santa Anita Avenue, one on Baldwin and the station located on Orange Grove Blvd. There are 58 paid employees. The fire department has a $13.7 million annual budget. This accounts for 25% of the City’s General Budget.
Under the heading operations, the Chief indicates that the fire department is tasked with suppression and emergency medical services. The Chief made a distinction between a ” fire truck” and a “fire engine.” The truck has no water on it. The truck carries all of the tools necessary, such as items used in search and rescue and the aerial ladder. The fire engine on the other hand carries 500 gallons of water and has panels on the truck that make use of fire hydrants for fire suppression.
The Arcadia Fire Department handles approximately 5,000 calls a year. Of this total 69% are medical calls and 3% are fire. The thankfully low 3% figure is due to fire prevention and inspection efforts made by the department, as well as businesses and homeowners. The department has 2 paramedic ambulances. The city hires firefighters, but then on top of this distinction many in the department are fire paramedics. So, they can fight fires and handle medical situations due to their further training and education.
There is in place within the Arcadia Fire Department a Fire Prevention staff that provides three main services: education, inspection and engineering. Each year the fire department inspects 3,000 businesses located in the City of Arcadia. This is a requirement by the CA Fire Code. The department looks to insure that fire extinguishers are charged, exits are clear, that there is exit and emergency lighting and that fire sprinklers and alarm systems are functioning.
Chief Norwood indicated that Arcadia is a Class 1 Fire Department. There are only 50 Class 1 fire departments in the country. The rating is based on operations, water, and communications and dispatch. The City has maintained a Class 1 rating since 1990. There is a direct positive impact on businesses that amounts to approximately a 5% savings on business insurance due to this rating.
Also, present at the meeting was Albert Ho from the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Authority. Albert noted that there will be a four-day intersection closure of Huntington Drive/Second Avenue intersection beginning at midnight tonight (Thursday, August 7, 2014) thru 6 a.m. Tuesday, August 12 followed by six weeks of nighttime directional closures. So, starting August 12 Sundays thru Thursdays only from 8:00 pm till 6:00 am: Huntington Drive will be closed to thru-traffic at Second Avenue in either eastbound or westbound direction (not concurrently) and thru- traffic on Second Avenue at the intersection will be restricted to install the cross beams and deck steel. Traffic will be detoured and signage will be posted to direct motorists and pedestrians during these hours. No work will be performed Fridays or Saturdays. Details of the closure and detour routes for the Gold Line construction work here.
Viola Van representing Congresswoman Judy Chu informed us that the Congresswoman will be holding a Job Hunters Boot Camp on Friday, August 29, 2014 from 10 AM till 2 PM at the Metropolitan Baptist Church located at 2283 North Fair Oaks Avenue in Altadena. There will be workshops on resume writing, starting your own business and job searching using technology, as well as information on career change for the Over 55. For more information call 626-304-0110.
Clayton Arick representing Senator Ed Hernandez informed the gathering that this is the last month of the legislative session in Sacramento for this year. Clayton stated that this is crunch time and if anyone is in support of or opposed to any pending legislation this is the time to make your voice heard.
Olivia Lee was present from Assemblymember Ed Chau’s office. Olivia talked about an upcoming Assembly Committees hearing on drones to be held at the UCLA Faculty Center. The hearing takes place on August 8, 2014 from 10 AM till 1 PM. The purpose of the hearing is to hear testimony relative to the use of drones and privacy concerns.
Councilmember Sho Tay from the City of Arcadia discussed Phase I water restrictions in the City of Arcadia. There is no watering allowed between the hours of 10 till 4 PM in the City. Also, no washing of sidewalks or driveways is allowable. In addition, restaurants will no longer automatically serve water to guests. Water will be provided to customers upon request. The State of California has set a goal of cutting water consumption by 20%. See more details about the City of Arcadia water restrictions here.
City of Arcadia Economic Development Manager Jerry Schwartz was present and indicated that the popular 626 Night Markets at Santa Anita Racetrack have been given the green light to add another night to the events. So instead of taking place on Friday and Saturday they will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The 626 gatherings attract approximately 50,000 visitors over two days.
Jerry indicates that at a recent City Council study session there was an extensive discussion about the Santa Anita Racetrack. The discussion centered around the continuing commitment to horse racing by the owners while at the same time examining how to utilize under utilized space.
Jerry also indicated in his presentation that the City is considering development of the City parking lot downtown and that this item will be discused by the City Council at the August 19th meeting.
Linda Sells of the Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte Town Council was also present and indicates that her group has a lot of community activities taking place in the County on an on-going basis. Linda discussed the importance of the mutual aid system in which fire departments from various communities work together to provide assistance to other communities when needed.
Scott Hettrick, CEO of the Chamber, welcomed everyone to the meeting and talked about the great attendance at the recent awards breakfast in which Rusnak Automotive Group CEO Victoria Rusnak accepted an award for Rusnak Arcadia Mercedes-Benz. Scott also introduced former representative for Assembly Member Anthony Portantino, Bill Hacket, who was hired last week as the Arcadia Chamber’s new Deputy Director / Office Manager. Finally, Scott informed everyone at the meeting that there will be an upcoming Networking Breakfast at Santa Anita Golf Course on Thursday, August 21, from 7:30 AM till 9 AM. The guest speakers this month will be discussing the upcoming Taste of Arcadia, and the Business Icon is Monty Cleaners.
On Friday, August 22 at 2:30 PM there will be a ribbon cutting at California Airsoft located at 127 S. First Avenue in Arcadia. This month’s Love Lunch will take place on Wednesday, August 27th from 11:30 AM till 2 PM at Villa Catrina Mexican Restaurant and Cantina located at 251 N. Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia. Come dine with us anytime during this two and one half hour period. Last, but not least the Taste of Arcadia will take place on September 22 at the LA Arboretum. Scott indicated that the Chamber is in the midst of extensive preparation for this very popular event.
