Most communities have a comprehensive emergency plan in place in the event of a disaster, and our community is no different.

The Laguna Woods Village emergency operations plan (EOP) aligns with industry standard protocols and addresses the specific threats the Village may face. The plan conforms to the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System, and has received the Excellence in Disaster Preparedness award from the American Red Cross. The information contained in the plan details the guidelines and protocols that are essential for handling a disaster as effectively and efficiently as possible. The Emergency Operations Center Activation Guide serves as a quick-start guide to the EOP.

The Village’s robust and well-rehearsed Disaster Preparedness Task Force (DPTF) is led by Security Chief Eric Nuñez, who has significant experience in emergency response management. All key VMS employees and the network of committed, volunteer Good Neighbor captains participate in annual drills to prepare for any type of emergency, including earthquakes, fire and flood.

CodeRED Emergency Notification System

VMS continually monitors municipal and government information sources and communicates any potential danger to residents via our CodeRED emergency notification system. In the event of an emergency or the need to broadcast critical time-sensitive news, CodeRED transmits brief, urgent messages to Village residents as quickly as possible via phone, text or email.

If you are not already enrolled in CodeRED, visit lagunawoodsvillage.com, scroll to the footer of the website and click Sign up today to fill out the form.

Social Services Is There For You

In addition, the Social Services Division is always on alert when it comes to resident safety and acts as a vital resource for those coping with the aftermath of a frightening and stressful event. For more information, call 949-597-4267.

Local Resources

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers helpful resources, as well: 

• Click here for resources before a disaster.
• Click here for resources during a disaster.
• Click here for resources after a disaster.

Alert OC sends voice and/or text messages, emails and TTY alerts informing enrolled individuals of emergencies that may require immediate life-saving actions. Click here to sign up or sign into your account.

For more Village news, click on the tag “Disaster Preparedness” below.

Maintaining the level of security at recreation amenities that residents expect is critically important. It allows for uninterrupted and exclusive use by residents only and helps in preventing costly damage.  

Please be sure to remember:

• Residents are required to be in attendance with nonresident guest(s). Residents are responsible for knowing the rules regarding nonresident guests at each amenity. Not adhering to established rules will result in immediate removal of the guest and compliance violations for the resident. 
• Proper gate clearance is required for all guests. 
• Always secure gates at the tennis and pickleball courts upon ingress/egress. Do not prop gates open with rocks or other items. Gates are under video surveillance and will be reviewed for violations. 
• If you suspect a nonresident is taking advantage of amenities without a resident host, please notify Security Services personnel immediately at 949-580-1400 so that they may officially document the incident.  

Your cooperation in protecting your amenities is appreciated. 

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.  

VMS continuously looks for ways to save costs and improve efficiencies. Through careful planning and innovating, departments cut costs by enhancing protocols. Here are just two examples.

Landscaping Services Department

Landscaping Services implemented a master irrigation control system:

• Saves 74 million gallons of water and $280,000 annually 
• Earns $350,000 in Metropolitan Water District of Southern California rebates

Staff also adjusted its mowing protocol by retaining seven mowers that were slated for surplus:

• Allows more acreage to be mowed in less time
• Reduces 320 labor hours per mow cycle
• Shifts gardener hours to shrub-bed maintenance cycles

Maintenance and Construction Department 

The Maintenance and Construction Department implemented numerous efficiencies to enhance resident service and staff workflow:

• Revamped its appliance replacement program, resulting in appliance installation within 30 days of completed paperwork
• Created a tracking system to manage contractors to ensure quality and compliance with contract specifications
• Reassigned personnel to help residents schedule work in manors and allow for more operations oversight
• Implemented staff cross-training initiatives to provide support to work areas experiencing workload surges

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.

You’re invited! The long-awaited Passive Park is ready to welcome members of the community!

Join the United Laguna Woods Mutual Board of Directors and VMS Landscaping Services staff at the grand opening event and celebrate the new Village asset with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new park features pet-friendly drought-tolerant plantings, decomposed granite walkways, and multiple benches and picnic tables to encourage togetherness among friends.

Where? Building 695 Avenida Sevilla, Laguna Woods, CA 92637

When? Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 9 a.m. 

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Take advantage of a service that provides resort-style amenities at Pool 2, thanks to 19 Restaurant and the Recreation and Special Events Department teaming up to offer food and beverage services from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Enjoy a cool, refreshing beverage, a delicious meal or both simply by calling 19 Restaurant at 949-206-1525. Items will be delivered poolside; payment via cash or credit card is required at that time. Click the orange button below to download the menu.

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Courses for the fall Saddleback College Emeritus Institute semester start Monday, August 21. Lifelong learners can find class schedules, apply and enroll for online and in-person classes directly on the institute’s website at https://www.saddleback.edu/emeritus. 

For more information, call 949-582-4835 or email scemeritus@saddleback.edu.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.