Hal Bernson, Former Northridge Councilman, Dies At 89

NORTHRIDGE, CA — Former Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson, who represented the northwestern San Fernando Valley for 24 years, died at 89.

``I knew Hal Bernson for over quarter of a century, having served with him on the City Council,'' said City Attorney Mike Feuer. ``His constituents strongly supported him, and no one in the council's history did more to prepare L.A. for the next major earthquake. My thoughts go out to his wife, Robyn, and hisdaughters, Nicole and Sarah, whom he adored. He will be missed.''

Bernson, the son of Romanian and Polish immigrants who sold T-shirts when he first ran for the Council, served from 1979 until 2003. As chairman of the city’s planning and land-use management committee, Bernson earned the name “Mr. Earthquake” for his dedication to seismic safety.

Bernson said that he remembered sitting in his high chair during a ruinous 1933 Long Beach earthquake. He pushed to require retrofitting thousands of old Los Angeles buildings, and helped establish protocols for future construction. Former colleagues told The Los Angeles Times that Bernson’s policies likely saved lives and property during the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Bernson helped organize the city’s first international earthquake conference and helped create the “Quakey-Shakey Van,” a vehicle that taught children about earthquake safety. He also pushed for an ordinance that banned new wood-shingle roofs.

“He was the guy who wouldn’t let people stop preparing for earthquakes and natural disasters,” Mayor Eric Garcetti, who served with Bernson on the council and remembers his no-nonsense manner, told the Times. “He owned that space.”

"I am very saddened to hear former Councilmember Hal Bernson has passed away," said Councilmember John Lee, who now represents most of Bernson's district. "Councilmember Bernson's service and leadership have greatly benefitted all who have lived in the northwest SFV for the last 40 years. During his tenure on the Council, he took bold action to improve the City and the lives of residents in more ways than are often recognized. He is a CD12 fixture and will be truly missed by our entire community. I want to extend my deepest condolences to his wife Robyn and daughters Nicole and Sarah during this time."

Bernson also helped bring commercial and residential development to Porter Ranch.

He leaves behind his wife Robyn and daughters Nicole and Sarah. His daughter Holleigh was killed in a car accident in 1995.