Fire Safety

By John Mazza

I have experienced the devastating effects of wildfires. I've lived in Malibu for almost 40 years, seen 8 Malibu Wildfires and watched the homes of friends and neighbors burn to the ground.

Wildfires are an integral part of Malibu . To protect our lives and homes it is critical that we do everything we can to prevent fires, be properly prepared when a fire eventually arrives and maintain adequate evacuation routes for that day when a fire begins to overwhelm us. I have pledged to:

-Fight the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy plan for overnight camping in Malibu's canyons. The risk of fire is too great.

-Initiate talks with responsible agencies to ensure that electric poles are not overloaded and electrical lines are underground wherever possible.

-Promote and assist in the establishment of neighborhood California Fire Safe Councils to protect homes, community and the environment from wildfires.

-Increase Malibu's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to prepare more residents as first responders and neighbors helping neighbors by working closely with Malibu's Office of Emergency Management.

-Ensure proper planning, testing and emergency resources for Malibu schoolchildren throughout the City in the event of a fire, earthquake or other natural or manmade disaster.

-Ensure that Malibu's schools have effective and fire department access and evacuation plans.

-Expand the use of Malibu's Reverse 911 Program

-Work with Malibu's Public Safety Commission and Cal Trans to create effective evacuation routes for all Malibu residents in the event of a disaster.