Lee Hilborne, MD, MPH, and Erica Felsenthal, PhD, have served as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Health and Safety Commission from January 2023 to December 2023.

The areas of interest for 2023 included:

• Community Engagement
• COVID-19 Education
• Beverly Hills Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
• Smoking Education, Outreach and Cessation
• Mental Health
• Emergency Preparedness.

 During this time, the Health and Safety Commission accomplished the following:

     1. Chair Hilborne and Vice Chair Felsenthal’s involvement in the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for the City's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) aiming at helping the community come up with measures to reduce the City's greenhouse gas emissions and manage the future effects of climate change.

     2. Reduced cost for fire extinguishers for the Beverly Hills community facilitated by Beverly Hills CPR as a Health and Safety initiative.

     3. Beverly Hills Day of Wellness event in collaboration with the Human Relations Commission and Recreation and Parks Commission.

     4. IMPACT Melanoma Health and Safety Commission initiative. Sunscreen stations were made available to the public at the Day of Wellness Event and will continue to be available at the City’s Community Centers.

     5. Continued the Health and Safety Recognition Program, honoring individuals, businesses, and groups who have demonstrated leadership in the field of health and safety issues or made a contribution to the mission of the Health and Safety Commission.

     6. The Health and Safety Commission Employee Excellence Award recognizes employees who have gone beyond their daily responsibilities to contribute to the City’s health and safety efforts.

     7. Continued learning about emergency preparedness related topics, programs, presentations, outreach and education.

     8. Every month, Commissioner Erica Felsenthal, PhD, led the Commission in a “Moment of Mindfulness.”

The Beverly Hills Unified School District provided monthly updates on the following topics:

1. The mental health resources that the school district offers to students to encourage mental wellness such as the Norman Aid Wellness Center at the Beverly Hills High School, the Mental, Social, and Physical Wellness activities at the Beverly Vista Middle School, Bulldog Aid Center, and the Maple Counseling Center’s Parenting Group Support sessions for parents.
2. Bullying
3. Fundraisers, awareness themes and celebrations, and community service projects.
4. Return to school efforts.
5. Staffing activities and the introduction of Drew Stewart, the new Beverly Hills High School Principal.
6. Various events and activities such as grade promotions, graduation, art shows, dance, band and orchestra performances, sports games, and mental health and awareness event focused on the social and emotional elements of learning.
7. Various advisory, committee, board, and other meeting discussions such as the Career & Technical Education Advisory Committee discussion on internship opportunities for students. The Safety and Security Committee’s review of the schools’ safety procedures and plan.
8. Director of School Safety Mark Mead spoke on the topic of emergency management, partnership with private security company NASTEC, social and emotional wellness and securing the health and safety of the students and enhancing a learning environment.
9. The new Electronic Communication Policy and new law AB748 Education Code 49428.5.
10. School programs like the Presidential Scholars Program, Community Spotlight, Beverly Hills Education Foundation, How to Keep our Students Safe on Social Media Program and participation in the Great Shakeout Drill.
11. The BHUSD strategic plan.
12. Active Shooter training and fire and lockdown drills.
13. Fentanyl drug, Narcan and counseling services. 

    The Beverly Hills Police Department provided monthly updates on the following topics:

14. Safety information and crime prevention such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design to prevent crime and make it less likely.
15. Community events like the Golden Globes.
16. The Real-Time Watch Center.
17. The utilization of drones as first responders for scene assessment.
18. Police Officer recruitment, staffing, and training.
19. Community outreach events such as Guac with a Cop, Coffee with a Cop, Black and White Gala, Catalytic Converter Etching, Citizens Academy program, Police Service Day, and National Night Out.
20. Updates regarding Police Department activities including metrics on commercial and residential burglaries, thefts from motor vehicles, and arrests.
21. Private armed security companies assisting the Police Department with patrolling the City.
22. The Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) regarding mental health related calls and on-scene assessment.
23. Program updates for Just in Case, BH, the Police Department Explorer, and the Neighborhood Watch Programs, Home Hardening, 2022 Junior Police Camp, summer camp, and participation with Team BH.
24. Police activities, enforcement and major incidents like DUI/driver license checkpoint, smash and grabs, armed robbery.
25. Safety mitigation measures for the Halloween holiday.
26. K-9 Unit presentation.

    The Beverly Hills Fire Department provided monthly updates on the following topics and programs:

27. Firefighter recruitment, staffing, training, and awards.
28. Community Risk Reduction operations and activities and general operations regarding fire inspections.
29. Fire Department programs such as the Nurse Practitioner Program, JUST IN CASE BH, Community Risk Reduction/Fire Prevention, Stop the Bleed, CERT, CPR, and EERT training.
30. Provided the CERT program monthly newsletters.
31. Community outreach events such as Community Preparedness Day, Fire Service Day, Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, Backdraft Ball, Junior Firefighter Camp, and Girls’ Empowerment Camp.
32. Fire Department responses and incidents metrics and the increased call volume.
33. Large and major incidents like traffic accidents with extrication, cooking fires, brush fires, and structure fires.
34. Red flag activations.
35. Strike team assignments.
36. Information on wildland fire deployment system, and the rapid extraction module support team (REMS).
37. Information on the topic of Mutual Aid.
38. Wildland RT130 annual training and preventative maintenance on over 20 apparatus completed in-house by fire personnel.
39. Great Shakeout, earthquake procedures and damage assessments.
40. The Fire Department Wellness program, stretching and lifting tests, and how to prevent injuries.

    COVID-19:

41. Staff constantly kept the Commission updated with COVID-19 statistics in both Beverly Hills and Los Angeles County.
42. Adopted the resolution of the Health and Safety Commission of the City of Beverly Hills continuing to authorize public meetings to be held via teleconferencing pursuant to government code section 54953(e) and making findings and determinations regarding the same, in order streamline meetings.
43. Masking mandates, traveling, therapeutics, and testing.
44. Heard updates on local, state, and nationwide COVID-19 statistics, the City’s continued response, testing and vaccines, resources for residents, and the current health order.
45. Updates on Emergency Use Authorization regarding vaccines and the winding down of the pandemic.

    Smoking and Tobacco Quarterly Reports (Informational):

46. Quarterly reports were provided as supplemental attachments to the Health and Safety Commission packet as informational items.
47. The reports shared statistics related to smoking, vaping, complaints and investigations, as well as information about tobacco retail enforcement.

    The Transportation Department provided quarterly active transportation updates on the following topics:

48. The progress on the Complete Streets Plan.
49. Bicycle support facilities, newly installed bike racks and repair stands.
50. Enhanced pedestrian crossings.
51. Transportation Safety Campaigns for 2023.
52. The Clifton – Le Doux Corridor Mobility Study.
53. The Transit Feasibility Study.
54. Connect Beverly Hills
55. Pop-up event for demonstrations of traffic calming features.

    Other Health and Safety Related Topics:

56. Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Programs Manager Josette Descalzo presented to the Commission on the Public Works Department’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) to provide a city-wide plan to become carbon neutral by 2045 supporting the goals of the State of California for carbon neutrality. Health and Safety Commissioners Lee Hilborne and Erica Felsenthal are committee members.
57. Received important information on the upcoming flu season and how to prepare with vaccines, as well as how it is affected by COVID-19.
58. Presentation from the City’s Public Works Department regarding the annual Water Quality Report.
59. National Recognition Calendar 2023. A promotional events and preparedness calendar as a guide for Health and Safety Commission meeting themes, discussion topics and to raise awareness. Supplemental information was also included in the packet each month.

    March	American Red Cross Awareness
    April	National Public Health Week
    May	National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month Mental Health Month Stroke Awareness National Wildfire Awareness Month
    June	National Safety Month
    July	Extreme Heat Safety
    August	Senior Citizen Day (Safety)
    September	Preparedness Month Suicide Prevention Month
    November	Alzheimer’s Disease Month Great American Smokeout

    Attendance and Events:

60. In-process – the Health and Safety Commission Liaison Committee meeting on December 13, 2023, to review the 2023 accomplishments and approve the 2024 Health and Safety work plan.
61. Beverly Hills Day of Wellness event.
62. National Night Out.
63. Business with Bosse.
64. Office Hours with Dr. Julian Gold.
65. Police Department Citizens Academy.
66. Beverly Hills Police Department Catalytic Converter Etching event.
67. Fire Department Fire Service Day.
68. JUST IN CASE BH community meetings.
69. Participated in the Great ShakeOut on October 19, 2023, a nationwide earthquake drill.
70. Reminded the community that September is National Preparedness Month.
71. Chair Hilborne attended the monthly Mayor’s Cabinet Meetings to report Health and Safety Commission updates.
72. Beverly Hills City Council Liaison/Health and Safety Commission Liaison Committee Meeting on January 31, 2023. Reviewed the 2022 accomplishments and approved the 2023 Health and Safety work plan.
73. No Commissioner recusals, and only one absence due to medical reasons.

Supplemental Information included in packets:

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Monthly Newsletters
• Heating Safety
• Car Fire Safety
• Beverly Hills Fire Department Presents - Fire Safety and Fall Prevention for Seniors
• Beverly Hills Fire Department Presents - Extinguisher 101
• How AEDs in Public Places Can Restart Hearts
• Net Cetera - Chatting with Kids About Being Online
• Driver Electronic Device Use in 2021
• Depression in Women: 5 Things You Should Know
• Men & Depression
• Beverly Hills Fire Department Presents: Electrical Awareness 101
• Bicycle Safety
• How to Buy Medicines Safely from an Online Pharmacy
• Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun: From Sunscreen to Sunglasses
• Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
• Smoking and Tobacco Quarterly Information
• Arbor Day Celebration
• Safely Using Hand Sanitizer
• Beverly Hills Fire Department Presents: Hoarding Awareness & Fire Risks
• Bipolar Disorder
• Blood Safety and Availability
• Pedestrian Safety
• West Nile Virus Advisory
• Mosquitoes and other Insects & Vectors
• Public Health Advisory Los Angeles County West Vector Control District
• 8 Ways to Feel Less Anxious About Things Beyond your Control
• Checklist of Cognitive Distortions
• 10 Ways to Untwist Your Thinking
• Social Media Risks for Youth Mental Health Highlighted in New Surgeon General Report
• JICBH Social Media QR Codes
• LA County Heart Hero – Get Trained in Hands-Only CPR
• Outage Preparation Tips
• Tips for Charging Your Phone During an Outage
• National Night Out Event Flier
• Beverly Hills Fire Department Presents: Kitchen Fire Safety
• Fact or Fiction: What to Know About Smoking Cessation and Medications
• Medical Device Cybersecurity: What You Need to Know
• Beverly Hills Fire Department Home Fire Escape Plan
• Drug Use Severity in Adolescence Affects Substance Use Disorder Risk in Adulthood
• BH2O Water Tracker
• Social Media and Youth Mental Health
• How Youth can Protect Themselves from Bullying
• How to Prevent Cyberbullying
• Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention
• Beverly Hills Fire Department Presents Home Smoke Alarms
• Beverly Hills Fire Department Presents Carbon Monoxide Alarms
• What is Diabetes?
• Alzheimer’s Disease

Please review the above accomplishments. These accomplishments were provided by the 2023 Chair and Vice Chair to the City Council Liaisons during the Health and Safety Commission Liaison meeting that occurred on December 13, 2023.  Please advise of any additions or changes. The Commission should be proud of their accomplishments.

The following continues to be the goals of the Commission:

• To Create a “Community Culture of Awareness and Preparedness.”
• To Encourage Good Decision Making and Battle Complacency on Health and Safety Matters.
• To Serve as Ambassadors to the Community on Health and Safety related Resources and Information.