TEM Task Force

TOPANGA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE

Originally formed in 2001 as a Steering Committee under the leadership of the Los Angeles County Supervisor’s Third District Office, it has since grown into the Topanga Emergency Management Task Force — a collaborative partnership of residents, agencies, and community organizations helping Topanga stay prepared for disasters, ready to respond, and able to recover.

Mission

The Topanga Emergency Management Task Force (TEMTF) is a partnership of public agencies, non-profits, and community organizations working together to keep Topanga safe and resilient. Our mission is to strengthen emergency preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery for the unincorporated community of Topanga. By coordinating across agencies and with residents, the Task Force ensures that emergency management strategies remain strong, practical, and community-driven.

What We Do

  • Coordinate communication among government agencies, non-profits, and the community
  • Develop and update Topanga’s emergency plans
  • Organize community evacuation drills, emergency fairs, workshops and exercises
  • Promote education and outreach through guides, brochures, and online resources
  • Review and improve emergency plans after each disaster
  • Meet quarterly (meetings are open to all residents)

Community Developed Resources

  • Topanga Zone Maps
  • TopangaSurvival.com
  • Topanga Disaster Survival Guide
  • Topanga Evacuation Guide
  • Topanga Community Wildfire Evacuation Plan
  • Topanga Emergency Survival Tips
  • Topanga Pet Preparedness Brochure
  • Wallet-Size Emergency Card

Past Drills & Events

  • 2003 Topanga Emergency Planning Workshop
  • 2005 Topanga Disaster Survival Guide
  • 2006 Topanga Evacuation Drill
  • 2007 Topanga Disaster Survival Guide Supplement
  • 2009 Topanga Survival Website
  • 2010 All-Canyon Wildfire Drill
  • 2012 Ready-Set-Go Evacuation Drill
  • 2014 Community Emergency Week & Topanga Evacuation Drill
  • 2016 Topanga Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
  • 2017 Evacuation Drill & Exercise
  • 2017 Topanga Disaster Survival Guide, 2nd edition
  • 2018 Topanga Business Workshop
  • 2019 Topanga Emergency Fair
  • 2021 Virtual Evacuation Drill (Topanga & Sunset Mesa)
  • 2025 Topanga ReadyFest Emergency Fair
  • 2027 Topanga Evacuation Guide

Who We Are

Los Angeles County – Office of Emergency Management (Co-Chair) – Board of Supervisors, Third District – Fire Department – Sheriff’s Department – Animal Care & Control & Equine Response Team) – Public Library – Public Works

Other Agencies – California Highway Patrol – American Red Cross, Los Angeles Region – Los Angeles Unified School District – Southern California Edison – Caltrans

Topanga Organizations – Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness (TCEP, Co-Chair) – Topanga Town Council – Topanga Animal Rescue – Topanga Arson Watch – Topanga CERT – Topanga Chamber of Commerce – Topanga Fire Safe Council – Canyon Sages Senior Organization

Together, we make Topanga stronger, safer, and better prepared.