Be Prepared for Anything

ow more than ever, Pasadena is ready for any emergency. From our police officers and firefighters to our water and power and public works crews, every city department has a detailed plan in place to help PERT Pasadena survive nearly any human-caused or natural disaster. Even our beloved Pasadena City Hall has reopened with some of the best seismic safety features you'll ever see.

But that doesn't let residents off the hook! After a catastrophic, regional disaster, you and your neighbors may need to care for yourselves for up to 72 hours until help arrives. Be prepared with these tips:

• Check www.cityofpasadena.net (click on Emergency Preparedness) for information on everything from handling pets to evacuating your home.

• While you're there, watch "The First 72 Hours" via streaming video or view it on 55 KPAS Mondays at 11 a.m., Tuesdays at 1 p.m., Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., Thursdays at 2 p.m., Fridays at 11:30 a.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 2:10 p.m.

• Stock a disaster kit with water, food, flashlights, first aid supplies, radio, extra clothes, cash, toiletries, medication and important documents.

• Call 744-7276 to schedule Pasadena Emergency Response Team (PERT) training in your neighborhood and learn disaster preparedness, first aid, fire suppression and light search and rescue.

• Know your neighbors' special skills - who is a doctor or nurse, an electrician or a child care professional?

• Arrange to help elderly neighbors and those with disabilities.

• After a disaster or emergency, call 744-4000 for special instructions, tune in to an AM radio news channel and check the city's website for updates.

Calling All Teens...

If helping people is your calling, you may be perfect for Pasadena’s Police or Fire Department. Find out through the Pasadena Junior Public Safety Academy, a special five-day seminar starting Monday, Aug. 6.

A select group of 40 Pasadena teens ages 14 to 18 will meet face-to-face with police and fire professionals to learn what it takes to wear the badge.
Pasadena police officers will discuss patrol duty, detective work, forensics and the local jail, while firefighters will demonstrate fire safety and survival skills. The teens will visit the Rio Hondo Police & Fire Academy and tour theRose Bowl Stadium.

Eligible teens must be enrolled in a PUSD school entering 9th through 12th grades, maintain at least a “C” average and turn in a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian.

For more information on this free program, call 744-7651.

... and Kids

The free Kids’ Safety Academy for children ages 6 to 11 and their parents is taught by Pasadena police officers, firefighters and other professionals from city and county agencies.

Every Saturday morning for seven weeks, you’ll learn about fire safety, bike safety, nature and animal safety, Internet safety and more. Call 744-7659 to learn when the next academy will begin.

Stamp Out Fireworks

In Los Angeles County last summer, fireworks sparked more than 100 blazes, scorched nearly 50 acres and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage – not to mention injuries. Even “safe and sane” sparklers reach temperatures of 1,000 degrees – enough to cause serious burns.

As the Fourth of July approaches, remember it is illegal to sell, possess or discharge fireworks in Pasadena without a permit. Violators are subject to confiscation, vehicle impounds, fines and even arrest, and parents are legally responsible for any damage or injuries their children cause.

To prevent problems, our police and fire crews will enforce the law 24 hours a day and confiscate illegal fireworks. They’ll also step up patrols looking for suspicious activity, fire hazards and early signs of fire.

Enjoy the holiday by attending Americafest, the professional fireworks extravaganza at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Visit www.rosebowlstadium.com or call 577-3100 for more information. (As always, the Fire Department has applied a safe wildland fire retardant around the stadium.)

For more information about fireworks safety call 744-4668.

New Bridge Connects Historic Arroyo Trail Loop

Put your sneakers on - Flint Wash Bridge is finally open! Destroyed by fire in 1937, rebuilt and then removed for safety reasons in 1987, the bridge was the missing link between the Flint Wash Trail at Hahamongna Watershed Park and Devil's Gate Dam and the historic Arroyo Seco trail system to the east.

The new and improved bridge now offers year-round access for pedestrians, equestrians and bicyclists, providing spectacular views of Flint Wash, the Arroyo Seco canyon and the San Gabriel Mountains. The bridge creates a full trail loop, a priority in the park's long-term master plan.

Building it was no easy task: The 155-foot-long steel and wood structure was manufactured in Colorado in three sections, trucked to Pasadena overnight, erected on-site and lowered into place by two large cranes. Bridge materials, including a durable tropical wood called Ipe, were chosen to blend with the Arroyo Seco and support environmentally responsible and sustainable forestry practices.

Managed by the Engineering Division and the Parks and Natural Resources Division of the Public Works Department, the $2 million restoration project was in the works for nearly 10 years and was funded by several grants. Supporters included Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Caltrans, Los Angeles County Parks and Open Space District, and California Resources Agency.

For more information call 744-4321.

Jobs at Your Fingertips

Applying for a job with the city just became easier! The Human Resources Department's new web-based system lets you apply and track your status online.
To start, go to www.cityofpasadena.net and click on Employment to find current job openings. From there, you can fill out an application online - or multiple applications if you're interested in more than one job. You can even stop right in the middle, save your application and complete it later. Once you've submitted your form, you'll receive a receipt instantly onscreen and by e-mail each time you apply. You can also use the site to check the status of the recruitment process for a particular job.

Don't have Internet access? Free computer workstations are available at Pasadena Central Library and all branches.

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