Our summary
Supports an evacuation-zone pilot within six months of taking office and a phased citywide exercise in the first year, with published failures and corrective actions.
“Yes. A tabletop exercise is useful, but it does not show whether alerts reach people, intersections move, evacuation routes work or backup communications hold up under pressure.”
Opening excerpt · written response. Full answer below.
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“Yes. A tabletop exercise is useful, but it does not show whether alerts reach people, intersections move, evacuation routes work or backup communications hold up under pressure. I would require a neighborhood or evacuation-zone pilot within six months of taking office and a phased citywide exercise during the first year, coordinated with police, fire, public works, schools and regional partners. The results should be published, including failures, corrective actions, responsible departments and deadlines. Prepared is not the same as tested.”
Written response · answer only
Declined · intentionally keeping a low profile.
Our summary
Supports a controlled neighborhood pilot within one year and a public after-action report identifying bottlenecks and fixes.
“Yes. I would support an actual neighborhood focused wildfire-evacuation exercise. After hearing the issues from residents living in Arch Beach Heights and their difficulties evacuating, I believe we need to take further measures.”
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“Yes. I would support an actual neighborhood focused wildfire-evacuation exercise. After hearing the issues from residents living in Arch Beach Heights and their difficulties evacuating, I believe we need to take further measures. Laguna has already held neighborhood preparedness workshops and updated evacuation maps, which is useful, but a live exercise would test what happens when residents, traffic, alerts, police, fire, and limited evacuation routes all interact in real time.
I would want a controlled pilot exercise within the next year, followed by a public after-action report identifying bottlenecks and specific fixes.
I also think our broader emergency preparedness needs to be more proactive. The city did not declare its El Niño-related local emergency until September 10, after significant coastal erosion and damage had already occurred. We should be preparing earlier for predictable seasonal risks such as wildfire, flooding, mudslides, storm drains, coastal erosion. We should not wait until the problem is already at our doorstep.”
Written response · answer only
Our summary
Supports a real neighborhood wildfire-evacuation exercise by August 2027 and public reporting of lessons learned.
“Yes. Laguna should hold a real neighborhood wildfire-evacuation exercise by August 2027. It should test phone alerts, outdoor warning systems, evacuation routes, blocked roads, and assistance for residents who need help.”
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“Yes. Laguna should hold a real neighborhood wildfire-evacuation exercise by August 2027. It should test phone alerts, outdoor warning systems, evacuation routes, blocked roads, and assistance for residents who need help. We should verify how warnings and communications function during a power outage, then publish what the exercise teaches us.
I also want a public accounting of the approximately $850,000 I understand was spent on the emergency operations facility at the Community and Recreation Center. The City should explain why that investment was chosen and compare its capabilities and costs with a fully operational “mobile command center” that could operate where an emergency occurs or could be moved anywhere in the city North Laguna, South Laguna, Top of The World. Taxpayers deserve to see the operational reasons for the choice.”
Written response · answer only
Our summary
Supports separate neighborhood exercises for areas such as TOW, Arch Beach Heights, the Canyon, North Laguna, South Laguna and the Village; gave no date.
“I think an exercise, neighborhood by neighborhood would be wise as each one may have a different exit route or safe place.”
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“I think an exercise, neighborhood by neighborhood would be wise as each one may have a different exit route or safe place. A city-wide one would be challenging and a separate one for TOW, ABH, the canyon, north, south, village and take area by area with actual exercise could be very beneficial.”
Written response · answer only
No written response received.
