The largest city in America by area and second largest by population, Los Angeles is particularly susceptible to sudden emergencies. The most significant threat to the city -- an earthquake -- can strike with no warning. Terrorist attacks, wildfires, flash floods, and tsunamis can occur with similar rapidity. These threats, along with the danger of contagious disease, will be some of the crises that the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Board will have to face. Rapid response is integral to saving lives, but the committee will have to overcome bureaucracy in coordinating with both the State and FEMA. If quick and effective action can be taken, the crisis can be mitigated. If not, disaster looms.

Note from the Chair

No position papers will be necessary for this committee, but please read the background guide and materials provided with an eye to how your department or office would respond to a given crisis. In almost all cases, the department or office's role is far more important than the person representing them, so focus your research on the organization of the department or entity your delegate represents. For instance, Rita Robinson's personal position is less important than that of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation because she is just representing that department on the EOB. The exceptions to this are with Eric Garcetti, whose personal style and vision has made him incredibly influential in LA politics, and Bernard Parks, whose history and wisdom have qualified him to serve on the EOB in an ad-hoc role.

Chair: Nuriel Moghavem,

Further Reading:

Excerpt from Joan Didion's essay "Los Angeles Notebook" from Slouching Towards Bethlehem (Entire text required)

The Los Angeles, California, Tornado of March 1, 1983 (Pages 33-39 required. Entire text recommended)

Controller Laura Chick's Audit of Emergency Planning Efforts and Citywide Disaster Preparedness, July 11 2008 (Pages i-viii highly recommended)

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Emergency Management Initiative, Nov. 20, 2008 (Entire text recommended)

Sample EOB Minutes [Sylmar Fire, Nov 2008]

List of Los Angeles City Emergency Plans and Annexes