2011 Food and Toy Drive is Underway!

Sheriff food and toy drive now underway

by Carolyn Seitz
As you know, the Sheriff's Department does an annual food and toy drive.

Because the economy is still having an adverse impact on many Altadena families, we are planning to provide food and toys for 250 families this year. Last year we served 200.

Our efforts rely on the generosity of the community and Altadena has historically been very generous.

Here are some options for donating:

• You can drop off non-perishable food or toys at the Altadena Sheriff's Station, 780 E. Altadena Dr. You can also drop off cash or checks payable to "Altadena Station Fund" at the Station.
• You can drop off non-perishable food at the Bank of America or Chase Bank on Lake Avenue and at the Altadena Library until December 3rd.
• Some neighborhoods will also be organizing themselves to collect toys and non-perishable food. If your neighborhood is interested, please let me know. We'd be happy to arrange pickup.

One of the things that few people know is that the Altadena Sheriff's Deputies also feed hungry families out of their own pockets on Thanksgiving. If you would like to help them, all donations of cash or checks would be welcome at the Altadena Station over the next week to 9 days.

Many Altadena families are in dire straits and any contribution to help us take care of them would be dearly appreciated.
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Carolyn Seitz is a community volunteer and Altadena Chamber Citizen of the Year.

This is only a test!

Advisory: On Wed., Nov. 9, 11:00am, Remember: Don’t stress; it’s only a test.” - First Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System

FIRST NATIONWIDE TEST OF THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

Test to Take Place Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 a.m. PST

WASHINGTON, D.C. - FEMA, the FCC and NOAA announced that on Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 a.m. pacific standard time, the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The test will last approximately 45 to 60 seconds.

During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. We would like to ensure that all of your members, colleagues and the larger public are aware that this event will be just a test, and not a real emergency alert.

The test is being conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as part of their ongoing efforts to keep the nation safe during emergencies and strengthen our resilience against all hazards.

The national Emergency Alert System is an alert and warning system that can be activated by the president, if needed, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. NOAA's National Weather Service, governors, and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. The test is an important exercise in ensuring that the system is effective in communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency.

Similar to emergency alert system tests that are already conducted frequently on the local level, the nationwide test will involve television and radio stations across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.
Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public.

A national test will help federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system, as well as its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers both nationally and regionally. The test will also provide the FCC and FEMA a chance to identify improvements that need to be made to build a modernized and fully accessible Emergency Alert System.

FEMA encourages the public to use this event as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.

Visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

On Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 a.m. PST, please remember: Don’t stress; it’s only a test.


FEMA Press Release –
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=55722

FEMA Blog –
http://blog.fema.gov/2011/10/emergency-alert-system-test-one-month.html

FCC Website –
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test


From the:
Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships
A Center of the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships
For more information about the nationwide Emergency Alert System test, please visit www.FEMA.gov and www.FCC.gov

Forwarded By:
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(323) 267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
www.Nixle.com
http://nixle.com/lasd----hq-newsroom-shb-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Twitter @LASD_News http://twitter.com/#!/LASD_News
http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment

Sheriff Leroy D. Baca
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

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