Message from LAFD Chief Engineer and General Manager i i
THE NORTHRIDGE EARTHQUAKE
On January 17, 1994, the City of Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department was presented with an unprecedented challenge. The suburban community of Northridge, located in the San Fernando Valley, was rocked by a seismic event of devastating proportions.
Before the ground stopped shaking, it was apparent that Los Angeles had become the victim of a major earthquake. Firefighters were injured, and several fire stations sustained major damage. Most of the city of Los Angeles was without electrical power.
Operations Control Dispatch (OCD). the department’s command and control hub. immediately initiated the department’s Earthquake Emergency Mode (EEM). The EEM degrades the dispatching process and makes notifications to local fire and police agencies. At 4:35 a.m., only four minutes after the earthquake, the city activated the Emergency Operations Center. This move brought key players from all city departments together in a unified command and control arena.
Fire suppression and EMS resources immediately responded to predesignated safe areas. After a departmentwide status check, via radio, field units began a drive-through inspection of their areas. This ground reconnaissance was augmented with three fire department helicopters that provided rapid aerial observation of predesignated major infrastructure components such as hospitals, bridges, dams, and freeway overpasses.
it w’as during this initial assessment that the full measure of what had occurred came into focus. The San Fernando Valley, the department’s largest geographical division, was quickly identified as the area most severely impacted by the earthquake. Fire companies reported numerous “loom-ups” (more than 40 tires were reported in the first hour) and significant structural damage to residential and commercial occupancies. Severe damage to major arterial freeways also was reported during the initial assessment. As these reports came in. tire companies and EMS units across the city were being mobilized and directed to the San Fernando Valley to assist the thousands in need of emergency services.
STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED
Approximately 90 minutes after the initial earthquake, Department Command was established at OCD. and Los Angeles’ Mayor Richard Riordan declared a state of emergency. This declaration ultimately would allow the city to receive resources and assistance from numerous other jurisdictions. including the federal government.
Three hours into the disaster, more than 100 active incidents were being handled by field resources. By shortly after 10 a.m.. to the relief of everyone, no major structure fires were reported, and all other fires were under control.
However, the early morning shock had dealt the city additional utility casualties. Approximately 150 square miles of the San Fernando Valley were without water. This represented a very real threat to our ability to provide fire protection to nearly one-third of the city. The Department of Water and Power later would estimate some 3,000 leaks occurred as a result of the earthquake. To this end, 29 mutual-aid water tenders were strategically deployed throughout the area and automatically included in the initial assignment on structure fire reports. Fires associated with the quake-related rupture of natural gas lines and subsequent explosions would cause the direct loss of five single-family residences.
Structural collapse was of paramount concern at this point. As anticipated when there is a significant seismic event, there was significant structural damage. The Northridge Meadows Apartments complex received considerable media attention. However, rescuers literally would have to search structures in various stages of collapse for days to come.
Reflecting on the fateful morning of January 17. 1994, and the enormous challenges that emergency service providers faced. 1 feel proud and have nothing but praise for all involved. The rescue efforts, several of which were viewed nationally, were numerous. All involved exhibited skill, dedication, professionalism, and great courage. Many firefighters and paramedics left their families and damaged homes to “answer the call.” Others, who were on duty when the earthquake occurred, continued working well into the next shift without knowing the status of their loved ones and homes. The rescuers’ dauntless labors under physically and emotionally taxing conditions were truly in the finest traditions of our service.
As chief engineer and general manager of the City of Los Angeles Fire Department. I would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” and “w’ell done” to the many selfless individuals. the City of Los Angeles Fire Department, and the numerous other agencies that helped us in a moment of crisis.
