Thanks to those who joined our General Meeting on April 29, and for those who missed it, here’s a recap.
The RHA’s updated bylaws were approved. They hadn’t been updated since 1995! You can find the new bylaws here.
Our President Elizabeth (Libby) Spatz gave an update on the Hillside Overlay status. The RHA is working on improving the Hillside Overlay so there’s specific objective language for the Planning Commissioners to use in their decision-making. Please come to the City Council meeting June 17 in Council Chambers at City Hall to voice concerns that Hillside Overlay needs to be brought up to date.
Thanks to our speakers from the City of Torrance, Torrance Fire Department and Torrance Police Department. The information shared on fire safety was very helpful. Here are short summaries:
Nazy Chiniforoushan, Emergency Services Manager, Office of the City Manager, provided resources for emergency or weather alerts and notifications:
- Sign up at the QR code below or at https://www.TorranceCA.gov/torrancealerts
- Other sources of information during an emergency situation are:
- Phone Number: 310-618-2320 is the phone number that city set up to call for emergency information
- Radio Station for emergency information: 1620 am
- Other sources of information during an emergency situation are:

- Also, https://www.ready.gov/ is a great resource to create emergency plans, how to communicate with your family, and what to have in your go-kits
Nazy’s most important advice: Heed evacuation orders as soon as you hear them!
Daniel Singleton, Public Affairs/Education Fire Prevention with the Torrance Fire Department, advised that we are all first responders — be sure you know how to evacuate. Visit CalFire’s website — it’s a good resource for go-bags and other tips: https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/. His other advice included:
- Be sure to plan your exit ahead of time in case streets are blocked during evacuation
- Evacuate away from the ocean because of winds
- Have an action plan like a safe meeting point for your family and a communication plan
- Prepare your property to create a defensible space and remove dead vegetation

Lt. Daniel Moreno, Emergency Operations Coordinator with the Torrance PD, emphasized that their role in an emergency is to:
- Enforce evacuation orders, direct traffic, clear roadways and clear hazardous zones
- Assist vulnerable populations such as the elderly, though they strongly encourage everyone have their own evacuation plans
- Support emergency response with heavy equipment
- Secure areas where people shouldn’t be after evacuations
- If there is a crime scene, they will secure it
Mark your calendars for our next General Meeting! It’s live and in person! Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 at Riviera United Methodist Church, Redondo Beach (TBC)
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Fire Safety, General Meeting, Resources, wildfire, wildfires |
