Portrait
Keeping LADWP Prepared and Safe: Office of Emergency Management
by Kalei Munoz
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is at the core of LADWP’s crisis preparedness and response efforts in the event of major disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes, acts of terrorism, and other significant events that affect the Department. Led by Daniel Aeschleman, Chief Safety Officer, the OEM group plays a pivotal role in keeping employees and customers safe, protecting LADWP's physical assets like facilities, and making sure we continue to serve our customer during such emergencies. By proactively identifying risks, thinking creatively to address them, and coordinating our Department-wide crisis response, the team strengthens LADWP's resilience and ability to navigate unforeseen challenges. The team is also responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive emergency management plans and ensuring effective communication and collaboration across all divisions. To optimize efficiency and effectiveness, OEM staff is assigned to support and oversee the emergency management of each system (Water, Power and Joint). This provides a great deal of satisfaction to team members, who work every day to make LADWP better prepared.
Mobilizing the Department's Operations Center (DOC) and the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during crises has significantly increased OEM’s workload and surpassed their previous response levels tenfold. Due to an uptick in weather events in the region, there is a greater emphasis on supporting the customers we serve with storm response and service restoration. The team works diligently to manage more tasks and coordinate with each other to respond to emergencies effectively. The first test of the new DOC came this past year with the arrival of an unprecedented weather event – Hurricane Hilary. The OEM team worked together with Water, Power and Joint System divisions to communicate more clearly to quickly and safety restore utilities to impacted customers during extreme weather.
OEM continues to improve and innovate by regularly conducting drills and exercises. For the last two years, OEM has worked with Power Transmission and Distribution on a month-long mutual aid training, where LADWP line crews collaborated with the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) to bring electricity to the Navajo Nation. Known as Light Up Navajo, the L.A. City Council-approved project is a partnership with the American Public Power Association. The OEM team performed various tasks during the exercise, such as participating in daily yard briefings, shadowing crews and lineworkers, and purchasing emergency supplies. Participating in mutual aid training helps refine OEM's emergency management best practices, which the team utilizes to maintain the safety and well-being of the Department.
"Projects like Light up Navajo provide great opportunities to help communities, while responding to an operation or incident can provide learning experiences that teach us new ways to do things."
Keith Garcia, Emergency Management Coordinator I
Thanks to a wide range of operations, minor incidents and learning opportunities, the Office of Emergency Management will continue to improve its coordination, communication, and employee engagement so that we can all be ready for any major future events.
Individuals aspiring to join the OEM team can explore rewarding career opportunities, including Risk Manager, Emergency Management Coordinator I and II, as well as several administrative positions. OEM roles offer avenues for professional growth, leadership development, and specialized training in emergency response protocols and technology.
For current, upcoming, and all job opportunities at LADWP, visit www.joinladwp.com.
"As an OEM team member, I enjoy the opportunity to work on unique projects that allow me to meet and collaborate with a wide range of people. Emergencies affect everyone, regardless of title, pay, and job description."
Brian Baltazar, Emergency Management Coordinator I
OEM Team Members
- Daniel Aeschleman: Chief Safety Officer
- Brian Lam: Emergency Management Coordinator II (Supervisor)
- Keith Garcia: Emergency Management Coordinator I
- Patrick Munongo: Emergency Management Coordinator I
- Brian Baltazar: Emergency Management Coordinator I
- Anthony Aguinaga: Emergency Management Coordinator I
- Yolanda Mendo: Utility Administrator III
- Fawn Mu: Utility Administrator II
- Alisia Bealey: Management Analyst
- Ida Torres: Management Analyst
- Joan Tagle: Management Analyst
- Barbara Ingalsbe: Management Analyst
- Irvin Solis-Carbajal: Management Assistant
- Alejandro Rodriguez: Senior Administrative Clerk
- Ana Cristina Scott: Senior Administrative Clerk
