Local 871 News

Wildfires and MPTF's Wasserman Campus

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 22:02:24 GMT

From Bob Beitcher | President & CEO:

In the early afternoon of Friday, November 9th, with the Woolsey fire within 5 miles of MPTF’s Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills, prompt action was required. Nearly 200 entertainment industry residents were evacuated to safer locations by a team of administrators manning an incident command center (including heroes like Joseph Rich, Robert Jensen, and Linda Healy), and an outstanding group of MPTF employees from nursing, hospitality, activities, media center, and environmental services, along with volunteers and spouses.

Amazing community partners like the Warner Center Marriott, the Eisenberg Village of the Jewish Home for the Aging, Northridge Hospital, and Sherman Oaks Hospital opened their doors to our residents and provided safety, shelter, and comfort at a critical time. Fortunately, the danger passed the campus – the direction of the wind was the good fortune of MPTF and the tragic misfortune for many others – and we were able to return our residents to the campus on Friday night and Saturday morning.

Our industry is incredibly blessed to have all of these folks in our corner and as part of our larger community. In particular, the strong, mighty, and magnificent employees of MPTF worked together to make sure “their residents” were kept calm, safety transported, and well fed during this time. At the end of Friday night, after working a shift for more than 12 hours, a group of our hospitality workers said to me, “We’re here to do whatever you need, and we’re here for as long as you need us.”

On behalf of MPTF and our industry, we salute the following organizations:

MPTF Wildfire Assistance

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 00:43:15 GMT

This message is from our friends at MPTF:

"To members of the film and television community in Southern California affected by the wildfires this week, MPTF is here to help. Please call us at (323) 634-3888 if you need assistance in this time of need."

Stay safe, everyone.

Smoke Advisory

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 20:24:23 GMT

There are a number of fires burning in Southern California and there are some steps you may wish to take to remain safe. The air quality index from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has noted that members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. SCAQMD has issued a smoke advisory (see below) with resources to assist you.

If you have health issues or live or are working in an area where the smoke is particularly bad, the state of Californina Health and Human Service Agency has issued this memo to advise you regarding the use of Particulate Respirators to Protect from Wildfire Smoke or Ash.

SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

SMOKE ADVISORY

Issued Tuesday, December 05, 2017

This advisory is in effect through Wednesday morning. SCAQMD will issue an update if additional information becomes available.

A brush fire, named the Creek Fire, is burning in Los Angeles County near Lake View Terrace and Sylmar. The burn area is reported to be approximately 2500 acres with zero percent containment reported. Strong east northeast winds are expected to continue through Wednesday evening bringing smoke into the western portion of Los Angeles County. Air quality may reach Unhealthy levels or higher in areas directly impacted by smoke.

Areas of direct smoke impacts and Unhealthful air quality include portions of:

West San Fernando Valley (Forecast Area 6),
San Fernando Valley (Forecast Area 7), and
Los Angeles County Coastal (Forecast Area 2).

In any area impacted by smoke: Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, pregnant women, older adults, and children should remain indoors. Keep windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter. Run your air conditioner if you have one and keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Avoid using a swamp cooler or whole-house fan to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. To avoid worsening the health effects of smoke, don’t use indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces.

SCAQMD Advisory updates can be found at the following link: ftp://ftp.aqmd.gov/pub/globalist/Advisory.pdf

To subscribe to air quality alerts, advisories and forecasts by email, go to http://AirAlerts.org

To view current air quality conditions by region in an interactive map, see
http://www3.aqmd.gov/webappl/gisaqi2/home.aspx

For more tips on avoiding health impacts from smoke, see SCAQMD Fire Safety Alert Factsheets at
http://www.aqmd.gov/home/library/public-information/publications#factsheet

For a map of SCAQMD Forecast Areas, see
http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/map-of-monitoring-areas.pdf

Current SCAQMD Air Quality Measurements, Forecasts and Advisories can be obtained on the web at http://www.aqmd.gov/home/library/air-quality-data-studies, or by Telephone at 1-800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7664).