EMERGENCY "911" CALLS from cell phones vs. land lines - according to our area Senior Lead Officer for Basic Car 8A29:
When you dial "911" from your home phone you are connected directly to dispatch and while they are speaking with you they are sending the appropriate help.
When you dial "911" from a cell phone you are first connected to the CHP who then sends the information to LAPD dispatch -- in order to be connected directly to dispatch from your cell phone, dial (213) 928-8206. In an emergency every second counts -- this could be those extra seconds.
UPDATE LA - This is an official website of the City of Los Angeles Emergency Operations Organization. During major emergencies impacting Los Angeles, information of potential interest to the public and media will be posted here: UpdateLA 
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY (emergency and general emergency preparedness information - what to do if you smell gas, how to shut off your gas meter; carbon monoxide; appliance safety; pipeline safety; earthquake valves, etc.):
1. EMERGENCIES - call (800) 427-2200.
2. Visit their safety page online at:
SoCal Safety 
CRIME PREVENTION - There are many things each and every community member can do to reduce his or her chances of becoming a victim -- online at: LAPD Crime Prevention Tips 
FIRE PREVENTION and safety information -- online at: U.S. Fire Administration 
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS -- online see the Los Angeles Fire Department's 40 page (in PDF): Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness Handbook 

CITIZEN PREPAREDNESS in case of a local or national emergency -- an excellent resource for contingency planning and emergency preparedness: Ready America, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
HEALTH PREPAREDNESS -- Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

VARIOUS PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION / SUPPLIES:

     American Red Cross
       Information:
http://www.redcross.org
       Store:
http://www.redcross.org/store/

     California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
       http://www.oes.ca.gov 

     Community Emergency Response Team – Los Angeles ( CERT -LA) 
      
http://cert-la.com 

     Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Department

 http://www.lacity.org/epd

 

     Los Angeles Fire Department

       http://www.lafd.org