Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAzusa Emergency Proclamation Jan 2025CITY OF AZUSA PROCLAMATION OF EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY By the City Manager Acting as the Director of Emergency Services Chapter 26 of the Azusa Municipal Code AN EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES OF THE CITY OF AZUSA DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY The Director of Emergency Services for the City of Azusa does hereby find, order and declare as follows: WHEREAS, the California Emergency Services Act, Government Code section 8550, et seq., authorizes the proclamation of a local emergency when conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a city exist; and WHEREAS, Chapter 26 of the City of Azusa Municipal Code (AMC) empowers the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when said city is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity and the City Council is not in session WHEREAS AMC section 26-2 defines an "local emergency" as the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of the city, caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, drought, sudden and severe energy shortage, plant or animal infestation or disease, the governor's warning of an earthquake or volcanic prediction or an earthquake or other conditions, other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the city and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat, or with respect to regulated energy utilities, a sudden and severe energy shortage requires extraordinary measures beyond the authority vested in the state public utilities commission.; and WHEREAS, the following circumstances and conditions exist: Conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen as the result of the Eaton Fire which started at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in or around Pasadena, CA., and a Santa Ana wind event causing hurricane -strength winds in the City and its surroundings; and A Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning was issued by the National Weather Service for Tuesday, January 7 beginning at 4:00 AM and continuing to 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 9 due to expected strong Santa Ana Winds and low humidity. These winds have impaired J the ability of airborne fire -fighting unity to operate. Potentially life -threatening hurricane -strength winds have been forecasted beginning at 10:00 a.m. on January 7 through 4:00 p.m. on January 8 with gusts up to 100 MPH; and The fire is currently burning out of control and is encompassed by more than 10,600 acres with no containment and is moving closer toward the City of Azusa. The City and the region are experiencing conditions of extremely low humidity, high winds, and the effects of multiple years of severe drought; and The City of Azusa Emergency Operations Center was activated to a Level 3 at 7:00 PM on January 7, 2025. High winds caused downed power lines and trees resulting in spot fires, power outages and debris throughout the City. Power outages have impacted major intersections and traffic signals. Dozens of city employees were called back to assist emergency response efforts to restore power, clear roadways, support operations, and assist in various community needs. Restoration and recovery efforts will require significant resources and support from state and federal resources; and The City Council of the City of Azusa is not in session (and cannot immediately be called into session); NOW, THEREFORE, THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES HEREBY does hereby find that a local emergency exists as discussed above and proclaims that a local state of emergency now exists throughout the City; and IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that during the existence of said local emergency the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of this City shall be those prescribed by state law, by ordinances, and resolutions of the City of Azusa, including but not limited to Chapter 26 of the Azusa Municipal Code. ADOPTED this 8' day of January 2025. CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA By: �'_V_ Sergio Gonzalez, City Manager as Director of Emergency Services