Call for improved crisis response

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Thursday announced a restructuring of the city’s emergency management operations, saying the city’s blueprint for responding to disasters has not changed since the Northridge earthquake in 1994.

Under one of the proposed changes, the city authority that handles emergency preparedness would be chaired by the general manager of the city’s Emergency Management Department, instead of the Los Angeles police chief as is the case now. The changes would require approval by the City Council.

Villaraigosa also plans to create the Mayor’s Emergency Response Council to advise the mayor during emergencies, update the city’s emergency plans to ensure they meet the needs of the disabled and to train all city employees to assist during a disaster or major emergency.

-- Phil Willon