California Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims State of Emergency in Los Angeles County Due to Major Truck Collision

Intense Fire, Freeway Damage

10/14/2007 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a State of Emergency in Los Angeles County in response to the major traffic collision that occurred on Friday night in the trucks-only tunnel on Interstate 5 at the Antelope Valley Freeway in northern Los Angeles County. The accident caused an intense fire, damaging the freeway structure and closing the Interstate. It also caused the death of three individuals and serious injuries to others.

The Governor’s emergency proclamation allows the state Office of Emergency Services (OES) to deploy emergency personnel, equipment and facilities and provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act. Below is the full text:

PROCLAMATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on October 12, 2007, a major traffic collision occurred in the trucks-only tunnel on Interstate 5 at the Antelope Valley Freeway in northern Los Angeles County resulting in an intense fire; and

WHEREAS the fire created conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property including the death of three individuals, numerous serious injuries and damage to the interstate freeway; and

WHEREAS wreckage from 28 semi-trucks and one passenger vehicle resulted in a large disastrous fire that caused the closure of Interstate 5 and damaged the freeway structure; and

WHEREAS Interstate 5 is California’s primary transportation artery between northern and southern California and an essential part of the nation’s critical infrastructure; and

WHEREAS Interstate 5 remains closed and such closure is impacting the statewide economy and public safety; and

WHEREAS on October 14, 2007, Los Angeles County issued a declaration of a local emergency, and requested that I issue a state proclamation of emergency throughout Los Angeles County as a result of the fire and freeway damage; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of this situation, by reason of their magnitude, are beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and

WHEREAS strict compliance with all statutes, rules and regulations prescribing procedures for the conduct of certain state business, specifically the award and administration of state contracts, would hinder and delay the completion of investigation, technical analysis, and repair work; and

WHEREAS under the provision of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to these events.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within the County of Los Angeles.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that that all agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of my Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the State Emergency Plan, and that OES provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the operation of all statutes, rules and regulations as they apply to contracts for the investigation, analysis and repair of damage to roadways shall be hereby suspended for the purpose of facilitating the reopening and restoration of the transportation structures damaged by this emergency. California Department of Transportation officers shall exercise sound discretion to apply the suspension to ensure that the suspension of statutes, rules and regulations serves the purpose of accelerating the reopening and restoration of the transportation structures damaged by this emergency.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 14th day of October 2007.

__________________________________

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

Governor of California

ATTEST:

__________________________________

DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State

Source: California Governor

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