2013 City of Lancaster Hazard Mitigation Plan 9/4/2013 Submitted by: MLC & Associates, Inc. 3525 Hyland Avenue, Suite 265 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 www.MLCHQ.com City of Lancaster Hazard Mitigation Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1-1 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................ 1-1 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 1-2 Los Angeles County Operational Area and Disaster Management Areas .............................................. 1-2 Hazard Mitigation Plan Organization ...................................................................................................... 1-4 Mitigation Strategy Five-Year Action Plan .......................................................................................... 1-4 Hazard Mitigation Plan Participants ................................................................................................... 1-4 Hazard Mitigation Plan Mission .......................................................................................................... 1-4 Hazard Mitigation Plan Goals ............................................................................................................. 1-5 Strategy Organization ........................................................................................................................ 1-6 Hazard Mitigation Plan Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation ................................................. 1-6 Hazard Mitigation Plan Adoption ........................................................................................................ 1-6 Coordinating Body ............................................................................................................................. 1-6 Implementation Through Existing Programs ...................................................................................... 1-6 Economic Analysis of Mitigation Projects ........................................................................................... 1-7 Formal Review Process ..................................................................................................................... 1-7 Continued Public Involvement ............................................................................................................ 1-7 Plan Description ..................................................................................................................................... 1-8 Hazard Mitigation Plan ....................................................................................................................... 1-8 Why Develop a Mitigation Plan? ........................................................................................................ 1-8 Whom Does the Mitigation Plan Affect? ............................................................................................. 1-8 How is the Plan Used? ....................................................................................................................... 1-9 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Process............................................................................................. 1-9 Internal Input .................................................................................................................................... 1-10 External Input ................................................................................................................................... 1-10 Requirements for Mitigation Plans ........................................................................................................ 1-11 Federal and State Requirements ..................................................................................................... 1-11 Public/Community Process .............................................................................................................. 1-11 Hazard Mitigation Plan Organization .................................................................................................... 1-12 SECTION 2. CITY OF LANCASTER CITY PROFILE ................................................................................. 2-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2-1 2013 City of Lancaster Hazard Mitigation Plan i 9/4/2013 2012-2013 Copyright MLC and Associates, Inc. – All rights reserved City of Lancaster Hazard Mitigation Plan Lancaster Community Profile ................................................................................................................. 2-1 Brief History ............................................................................................................................................ 2-2 Population .............................................................................................................................................. 2-2 Geography and the Environment ............................................................................................................ 2-4 Geology / Climate ................................................................................................................................... 2-5 Geology ............................................................................................................................................. 2-5 Climate ............................................................................................................................................... 2-5 Precipitation ....................................................................................................................................... 2-6 El Niño and La Niña ........................................................................................................................... 2-7 Economic Activity ................................................................................................................................... 2-8 Population and Demographics ........................................................................................................... 2-9 Housing Characteristics ................................................................................................................... 2-12 Law Enforcement and Fire Resources ................................................................................................. 2-17 The Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department ............................................................................... 2-17 State Prison ..................................................................................................................................... 2-18 Los Angeles County Search and Rescue (SAR) .............................................................................. 2-18 The Los Angeles Fire Department ................................................................................................... 2-19 Fire Prevention Division ................................................................................................................... 2-19 Regional Collaboration ......................................................................................................................... 2-20 Community Emergency Response Training ..................................................................................... 2-20 Specific Needs Awareness Planning (SNAP) .................................................................................. 2-20 CodeRED ......................................................................................................................................... 2-20 Emergency Preparedness .................................................................................................................... 2-21 Emergency Operations Center ......................................................................................................... 2-21 Emergency Response Team ............................................................................................................ 2-21 Lancaster Search and Rescue (SAR) .............................................................................................. 2-21 General Plan .................................................................................................................................... 2-21 SECTION 3. RISK ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................. 3-1 Disaster History ...................................................................................................................................... 3-1 Federal Requirements for Risk Assessments......................................................................................... 3-3 Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis ................................................................................................. 3-4 Hazard Identification Process ............................................................................................................ 3-4 Identified Hazards .............................................................................................................................. 3-6 2013 City of Lancaster Hazard Mitigation Plan ii 9/4/2013