City of La Porte Newsletter

C I T Y O F L A P O R T E N E W S L ET T E R

LIFE. BY THE BAY. OCTOBER| NOVEMBER| DECEMBER 2020

H E AT I N G S A F E TY page 2

S EVE R E WE AT H E R AWA R E N E S S Page 3

R O C K T H E VOT E !

Page 4

E M S AWA R D Page 5

LOVE I S I N T H E A I R Page 6

Heating Safety There is something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace. But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? With a few simple safety tips and precautions you can prevent most heating fires from happening. be warm and safe this winter!

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Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet (one metre) away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.

Have a three-foot (one metre) “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

Never use your oven to heat your home.

Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.

Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

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Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.

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Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

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Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION The leading information and knowledge resource on fire, electrical and related hazards

nfpa.org/education ©NFPA 2017

Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.

All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.

FACT Half of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February.

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(SMOKE DETECTOR)

Detect to Protect:

The La Porte Fire Department and the La Porte Fire Marshal’s Office is proud to offer the “Detect to Protect” program which provides a Free Smoke Detector and a Free Fire Safety Visit to every La Porte citizen.

You should install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.

When to change batteries and/or test smoke detector?

What is a Fire Safety Visit?

As Fire Administration receives your registration information, you will be scheduled according to your indicated preference of day and time and your availability at time of contact. LPFD will have our firefighters perform “Fire Safety Visits” to each of the registered addresses.

A Fire Safety Visit will include the following:

Where should I have smoke detectors in my home?

• Installation of smoke detectors, if necessary • Replacement of smoke detector batteries, if necessary • Advising of where you may consider placing additional smoke detectors • Education on how and when to test smoke detectors, as well as when they should be replaced • Education on what to do when a smoke alarm is heard going off

• Smoke alarm batteries should be changed twice a year. An easy way to remember this is to change the batteries at the same time that you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

• You should test your smoke alarms on a monthly basis.

• Smoke alarms should be completely replaced every ten (10) years.

Schedule A Fire Safety Visit:

To set up an appointment for your fire safety call (281) 471-3607 or (281) 867-4603, or come in to Fire Station 1, located at 125 South 3rd Street in La Porte. You can also visit http://laportetx.gov/892/Detect-To-Protect and complete the online request form.

This year, resolve to be READY LP! Severe weather can strike anywhere and at any time. The City of La Porte is at risk for many threats. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flash flooding could devastate our community with little warning. In a severe weather emergency, you may only have seconds to act. Don’t let severe weather catch you unprepared.

Make a plan today!

How to Prepare for Severe Weather: • Create a communications plan with your family before severe weather hits.

• Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work, and in the car.

• Listen to local officials and trusted sources for information.

• Check your insurance policies to ensure you have enough coverage, including flood insurance.

• Evacuate or take shelter, if advised by local authorities.

• Sign up for notifications from the City and download the ReadyLP app.

Have questions or concerns regarding your emergency plans for you or your family? Call us at 281-470-0010 or email laportecares@laporetx.gov. Learn more at www.lpoem.org.

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The time does fly! The May 1, 2021, General Election is on the horizon.

The races will be for the position of Mayor and the District 2 and 3 Councilpersons.

Filing for a place on the General Election ballot runs January 13-February 12, 2021, 8-5, M-F, with the City Secretary’s Office at City Hall, 604 West Fairmont Parkway. Ballot applications are available at https://www.sos.texas.gov/elections/forms/pol-sub/2-21f.pdf.

Candidate packets are available at City Hall.

The first day to apply for a ballot by mail for 2021 elections is Tuesday, January 1, 2021. The application is available at LaPorteTX.gov/BallotApplication or at City Hall.

The deadline to register to vote for the May 1 election is Thursday, April 1, 2021 - don’t wait, register now! The registration form is available at VoteTexas.gov/Register or at City Hall. #LPdecides

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City of La Porte EMS Recognized by the Texas EMS for the Children Program

What:

The EMSC State Partnership has recognized the City of La Porte EMS at the GOLD Level of pediatric care readiness through the EMS Recognition Program. This is a multi-phase recognition program for EMS agencies who wish to establish programs and standards to improve their capabilities to deliver care to pediatrics.

This recognition places a spotlight on the delivery of high-quality emergency medical care for children, focusing on the unique needs of critically ill or injured pediatric patients and the challenges faced by EMS professionals in meeting those needs. This recognition also provides the EMSC program with an opportunity to bring together the EMS agency and their local community to focus attention on illness and injury prevention and raise awareness about issues important to the continued development and improvement of EMS and Trauma systems relating to children. In addition, it helps the program raise awareness about safety and prevention and the ongoing need to improve and expand specialized care for children in the prehospital setting.

Why:

GOLD standard

About the EMS for Children State Partnership, Texas The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) State Partnership, Texas is a statewide collaborative project funded through the Health Resource and Services Administration’s EMS for Children Program. Baylor College of Medicine is the site of the Texas EMSC office and is working in partnership with the largest children’s hospitals in Texas, their affiliated colleges of medicine, and representatives of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Through this collaboration, the EMSC State Partnership, Texas has created the infrastructure to assess and achieve defined EMSC Performance Measures. In addition, the EMSC State Partnership, Texas works tirelessly to improve education, research and pediatric prehospital care. For more information, go to www.bcm.edu/pediatrics/emsc A PORTE PARKS & RECREATION

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FUN TIMES By the Bay

NEWLY DESIGNED

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OCT-DEC 2020

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NEWLY ED DESIGN

FUN TIMES. BY THE BAY.

Discover all the exciting programs and events available throughout the Parks & Recreation Department. The program catalog is available online at Sports Programs Pages 5-7

New Youth Volleyball Clinic Pages 5

Sports Programs Pages 5-7

WWW.LAPORTETX.GOV

LaPorteTx.gov/FunTimesByTheBay

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Say "I do" FOR THE FIRST TIME OR ALL OVER AGAIN FREE THIS FEBRUARY AT LA PORTE MUNICIPAL COURT

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MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM

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The City of La Porte maintains a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System to transport storm water. The City has also created a Storm Water Management Program to manage the quality of discharge from the system. This program includes best management practices and schedules for implementation to address six minimal control measures. For more information visit: http://LaPorteTx.gov/stormwater

A big CONGRATS to our Employee of the 3rd Quarter:

Johnny Morales

Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator Johnny Rene Morales has worked for the City of La Porte for one and a half years and is a native of La Porte, Texas; which is why this town is extremely thankful to him. “My favorite part of my job is that every day I have an opportunity to make a positive impact and prepare our community for manmade or natural disasters. I encourage all residents to be informed and prepared. Keep a personal preparedness kit ready with you in your car and at home.

Be aware of the threats and hazards that we have here in La Porte, and gather information from trusted sources,� says Johnny.

In his spare time Johnny loves to travel, spend time with his friends and family, and volunteer in the community.

Johnny, a big congratulations from the City of La Porte! It is well deserved.

SPORTS

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(Congratulations)

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CITY OF LA PORTE 604 W FAIRMONT PKWY LA PORTE, TX 77571 281-471-5020 WWW.LAPORTETX.GOV

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