The City of Hawthorne remains prepared to respond to local emergencies following the recent wildfires affecting Los Angeles County, ensuring the safety of residents and the continuity of vital City services. City officials collaborated closely with emergency responders and neighboring jurisdictions to bolster emergency preparedness measures. The City’s successful response serves as a model for future emergency preparedness efforts, reinforcing its commitment to keeping residents safe in any crisis.
Throughout the emergency, Hawthorne’s emergency services coordinated aid efforts and closely monitored air quality conditions. Thanks to its proactive approach, the City was able to keep residents informed and safe. Moving forward, these strategies will continue to serve as key components of Hawthorne’s emergency preparedness plan.
The City of Hawthorne’s consistent updates via social media, including real-time alerts and resources, were integral in keeping the community well-informed throughout the crisis. By leveraging its social media platforms, including @CityofHawthorneCA on Instagram, @HawthorneCAL on X and City of Hawthorne on Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as its website CityofHawthorne.org, the City maintained open lines of communication with residents. These platforms will remain crucial tools in future emergencies, ensuring that timely and accurate information reaches the community when it is needed most.
The City also utilized the MyCivic311 app, which was updated for residents to report or to ask fire-related questions, answered by trained professionals. The app continues to serve as a critical tool for emergency communication and remains a key resource in Hawthorne’s broader preparedness efforts. Residents are encouraged to download MyCivic311 on iOS and Android devices to stay connected in future emergencies.
“Our primary goal during this crisis was to protect the community and ensure residents had access to all the information and resources they needed,” said City Manager Vontray Norris. “By increasing communication through the MyCivic311 app and providing timely updates, we were able to support our residents through this challenging situation. The lessons learned and the tools we’ve strengthened will allow us to be even more prepared for future emergencies.”
In addition to these measures, Hawthorne City employees launched an internal canned food drive to support local food banks and shelters. This effort provided much-needed assistance to those affected by the fires, highlighting the City’s strong sense of community and solidarity.
Through these efforts, the City of Hawthorne demonstrated its commitment to public safety, neighborliness and resilience in the face of disaster. By continually embracing technology, proactive planning and community engagement, Hawthorne is well-equipped to respond to future emergencies with the same level of dedication and effectiveness.
Community members are encouraged to take an active role in preparedness by reviewing resources on Hawthorne’s Disaster Preparedness webpage: CityofHawthorne.org/Residents/Disaster-Preparedness.