Excerpt from Chatsworth Neighborhood Council Equestrian Committee (CNCEC) minutes for the committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 20, 2007.

Equine evacuation discussion, Fire vs. Earthquake (City and County Department question and answer) & public comments.

Representing LA City Animal Reg was Hugh Briefman and Jan Selder.
Representing LA County Emergency Response Team was Mary Lukins
Representing Supervisor Antonovich's office was Millie Jones
Representing Councilman Smith's Office was Diane Kartiala and Megan Cottier.

Hugh Briefman stated a general phone number for Animal Reg, in case of emergency, is 818-756-9323 at the East Valley Shelter. This number is also the number that the police and fire departments will be calling to update Animal Reg as to locations that are safe (to take animals to) or ones that need to be evacuated. This number will probably be busy. Diane Kartiala stated that Councilman Smith's office is working on trying to get an emergency number that will be manned 24/7 in case of emergency so that animal owners can call and find out where it is safe to take their animals.

Mary Lukins (County Emergency Response Team) indicated that, since Hurricane Katrina, both City and County now gear up for the worst case scenario and prepare accordingly.

With regard to earthquakes, it is generally agreed that the LA area is overdue for a large earthquake. Horse owners (and Boarding facilities) should have provisions to be able to have enough water/feed for their animals for several days. Both City and County will make attempts to get water out to the various barns. People should consider having plastic garbage cans (with lids) so that the cans can be lined with plastic garbage bags to be used for water.

There could be various sources of water for the animals, one of which is swimming pools. Hugh Briefman suggested that people contact a store in Van Nuys (SOS) that specializes in items needed during a disaster. They would have sources to be able to make swimming pool water OK for animals to drink.

With regards to fire, you are the only one who can plan to keep your horse safe. If you have your horse/s in your backyard, and have a trailer, you can trailer your horse out to one of the evacuation centers that will be open. Pierce College and Hansen Dam have additional areas where you can park your trailer and tie your horses to your trailer. YOU MUST STAY WITH YOUR HORSES AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CARING FOR THEM. Don't count on feed being at the evacuation center in the beginning. Make sure to bring hay/pellets/whatever your horse/s eat with you. Also make sure to have buckets you can water your animals with. In the event that you are not home at the time the fire breaks out, both LA City and LA County (it depends on where the fire breaks out whether the evacuation is run by the City or
County) will go door to door looking for animals to be evacuate. This makes it all that more important to have your horses licensed!

Both the City and County will have trailers at the various locations that will have supplies of buckets, garbage cans etc to be used by the evacuation site.

Various haulers (Eric Greely, Peggy Lane and Tita Brown) and LA Mounted will have trailers to get boarding stable horses out of the dangerous locations. Tita Brown is also checking into various park areas that might be opened up to accept animals. However, it is important that your horse be able to be tied (as opposed to being in cross ties).

Contacts

Local Volunteer Haulers:
Eric Greely.......................................805-750-6871
Peggy Lane.....................................818-631-1597
Tita Brown........................................818-970-5972
Heather Sayre.................................805-732-8426

Possible Evacuation Sites:
Pierce College................................818-719-6401
Hansom Dam Equestrian Center..818-896-6514
Los Angeles Equestrian Center..818-840-9063

LA Animal Services:
Jan Selder ......................................756-9323
Hugh Briefman ................................756-9323