November 2008 SFV News
Susan Hammarlund, Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council

Fire Station 96 Commander Chris Cooper and his fellow firefighters completed training on train incidents this last June. This training on top of all his other preparations helped ready him for the chaos and carnage of the Chatsworth Train accident on September 12. Commander Cooper’s focus that sweltering afternoon was on extinguishing the fire powered by the Metrolink locomotive’s dislodged fuel cell, coordinating first responder agencies, expediting casualty extrication, setting up the temporary morgue and triage locations and establishing a safe perimeter to prevent well wishers from injury in a biohazard zone.

“The enormity of this disaster was staggering,” Cooper comments. “And what struck us in particular this time was that these victims might be people we knew.” As one of LAFD’s 80 member Urban Search and Rescue Team he has been sent to help with 911 and Katrina among other disasters. “We certainly gave those efforts our all, but this effort was unique, because these are our neighbors,” said Cooper.

The only time it was difficult for Cooper to be there was when Officer Spree DeSha was removed from the wreckage. It was a very emotional time for the rescuers. The most seasoned firefighters were shedding tears.

While Cooper, Treasurer of the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council was working on site, other members of the Council were working in conjunction with the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, who was taking the lead on coordinating some of the food and supplies needed for victims, families and responders. Both Councils were commended by the City’s Board of Neighborhood Commissioners for coming together to serve the community in a time of need. This type of volunteerism and community outreach is what was hoped for when the Neighborhood Councils were created.

As is evident by October 12’s Sesnon Fire, disaster can strike at any time. And often it takes us by surprise moving faster than expected. In the aftermath of these disasters consider how prepared you are for the next one. An earthquake possibly? One of the best things you can do to prepare is to complete Community Emergency Response training, a free 17 hour all hazard training course to allow you to respond to disasters, especially when official agencies are not available, as will most certainly happen in the next earthquake. Find out more at www.Cert-LA.com.

You can also participate in the Great Southern California Shake Out on November 13. See www.ShakeOut.org.

Be prepared! Join us and Help Make Porter Ranch a Better Place to Live, Work and Grow. Check our website www.PRNC.org for more information. The next PRNC meeting is: Tuesday, November 11 at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 6pm. Save the date for the PRNC Holiday Party, Tuesday, December 2 at Baker’s Square.