Long Beach Fire: Remembering Captain Hank Zavaleta

Long Beach Fire Captain Hank Zavaleta
Captain Zavaleta was well known throughout the fire service in southern California for his contributions to firefighter education and training and workplace health and safety issues. When Captain Zavaleta was diagnosed with brain cancer as an active firefighter, he continued to be an educator and advocate, this time for brain cancer survivors and their families.

Remembering Zavaleta's strong spirit, Deputy Chief Jeff Reeb stated, "Hank Zavaleta set the standard as a husband, as a father, and as a firefighter. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew him." Rich Brandt, president of Long Beach Firefighters also remembers Zavaleta, "Hank was a man of courage and strength, the ultimate union firefighter."

Memorial Information
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, May 14, 2011
11:00 a.m. at SeaCoast Grace Church
5100 Cerritos Ave., Cypress.

Captain Zavaleta was a supporter of "Cranium Crusaders" whose mission is to fund brain cancer research. Those who wish to donate to this organization in Hank's memory can do so here.

#USFS: Will allow Los Angeles County helicopters for night #wildfire firefighting

 In a report they issued on November 18, the LA County Fire Department criticized the USFS for not using helicopters at night during the early stages of the August-September 160,000-acre Station Fire near Los Angeles that killed two LA County firefighters.

Now if another wildfire strikes the Angeles National Forest, it will be easier to get water-dropping helicopters into the air at night to slow the blaze.

Wally Skalij photo. August 27, 2009.

That’s what U.S. Forest Service officials say, as the agency faces pressure to avoid a repeat of the 2009 Station Fire that burned 250 square miles, killed two firefighters and destroyed 89 homes.

Deputy Forest Supervisor Marty Dumpis said Thursday an agreement with local firefighters will make it easier to summon Los Angeles County helicopters for night firefighting in the huge forest on the edge of Los Angeles.

The Forest Service is considering allowing its own helicopters to attack wildfires at night, but the agency has long discouraged the practice because of risks to pilots. That policy is under review.

The USFS experimented with night flying in the 1970s, but abandoned it after a helicopter collision and since then has said it is too dangerous to fly helicopters 30 minutes after sunset.
Info Source article: CBSLocal - Link

Cal Fire-Butte County Fire Department jurisdiction requiring Burn permits

Burning permits required starting Sunday

Staff reports

Posted: 04/28/2011 10:25:05 AM PDT

OROVILLE — Starting Sunday people living in the Cal Fire-Butte County Fire Department jurisdiction will need a permit to do any "dooryard" burning. Burn permits are available at no charge from all Cal Fire/Butte County fire stations and the U.S. Forest Service Plumas National Forest Office at 875 Mitchell Ave. in Oroville.
While the permits are easy to obtain, individuals wishing to burn must follow a series of regulations.

•  Before burning in Butte County, you must call the Butte County Air Quality Management District at 332-9407 or toll free at 1-855-332-9407 or at www.bcaqmd.org to determine whether burning is allowed that day.
•  Do not burn on windy days.
•  Burn only clean, dry vegetative waste such as leaves, pine needles and yard clippings.
•  Piles should be no larger than four feet in diameter.
•  Provide a 10-foot, bare soil perimeter around the burn pile.
•  All open fires should be located more than 25 feet from the nearest occupied dwelling on any adjacent parcel.
•  Keep a water source handy such as a garden hose that is already turned on.
•  Fire should never be left unattended.
•  Property owners can be held civilly and criminally liable if a fire escapes their control and/or burns onto a neighboring property.
•  Under the terms of the burn permit, burn hours are 6 to 11 a.m.
•  Control burns should be out cold and wet before they are left unattended.

There are special conditions regarding residential open burning within the Chico sphere of influence.
Residential open burning is prohibited on lots less than 0.90 acres in size in the unincorporated areas of Butte County which are within the Chico Sphere of Influence.
*A countywide residential burn ban will go into effect July 1, 2011.

#Japan: Map Of #Tsunami Debris Plume That Will Hit West Coast Beaches

Researchers: Tsunami debris from Japan to hit West Coast in 3 years.

Debris will be dumped on California beaches and the beaches of British Columbia, Alaska, and Baja California and Hawaii

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Image University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaThe probable pathways of the debris that entered the ocean on March 11, 2011, as estimated from historical trajectories of drifting buoys. Snapshots are shown projected each March from 2011 to 2016.

The huge tsunami triggered by the 9.0 Tohoku Earthquake destroyed coastal towns near Sendai in Japan, washing such things as houses and cars into the ocean.

Projections of where this debris might head have been made by Nikolai Maximenko and Jan Hafner at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's International Pacific Research Center. Maximenko has developed a model based on the behavior of drifting buoys deployed over years in the ocean for scientific purposes. What this model predicts about the tsunami debris can be seen in Figure 1.

The debris first spreads out eastward from the Japan Coast in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. In a year, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument will see pieces washing up on its shores; in two years, the remaining Hawaiian islands will see some effects; in three years, the plume will reach the U.S. West Coast, dumping debris on Californian beaches and the beaches of British Columbia, Alaska, and Baja California.

The debris will then drift into the famous North Pacific Garbage Patch, where it will wander around and break into smaller and smaller pieces. In five years, Hawaiʻi shores can expect to see another barrage of debris that is stronger and longer-lasting than the first one. Much of the debris leaving the North Pacific Garbage Patch ends up on Hawaiʻi's reefs and beaches.

Even before the tsunami, the World Ocean was a dump for rubbish flowing in from rivers, washed off beaches, and jettisoned from oil and gas platforms and from fishing, tourist, and merchant vessels. Marine debris has become a serious problem for marine ecosystems, fisheries, and shipping.

The presentations given at the recent week-long 5th International Marine Debris Conference in Hawaiʻi, at which Maximenko had organized a day-long workshop, are a testimony to the magnitude of the ocean debris problem. The massive, concentrated debris launched by the devastating tsunami is now magnifying the hazards.

These model projections will help to guide clean-up and tracking operations.

Tracking will be important in determining what happens to different materials in the tsunami debris, for example, how the composition of the debris plume changes with time, and how the winds and currents separate objects drifting at different speeds.

Maximenko's long-standing work on ocean currents and transports predicted that there are five major regions in the World Ocean where debris collects if it is not washed up on shores or sinks to the ocean bottom, deteriorates, or is ingested by marine organisms.

These regions turn out to be "garbage patches." The North Pacific Garbage Patch has become famous, the North Atlantic Patch was fixed some years ago, and the South Atlantic, South Indian Ocean, and South Pacific patches have just been found, guided by the map of his model that shows where floating marine debris should collect.

The research was supported by NOAA, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), and NASA which sponsor research at the International Pacific Research Center.

Research for this article was conducted by Dr. Nikolai Maximenko and Dr. Jan Hafner, International Pacific Research Center at the University of Hawaii Manoa.

#LTBMU: Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week May 28 to June 5

 Announcing Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week May 28 to June 5, 2011

Get Defensive: We’re Counting on You!

 South Lake Tahoe, CA - The second annual Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week will be held May 28th to June 5th 2011.
The theme this year is “Get Defensive: We’re Counting on You!” The focus of the week will be to promote community based defensible space activities.
Fire agencies, fire safe chapters and local organizations will collaborate to hold community clean up days including offering free chipping and pine needle pick-ups and hosting neighborhood meetings and educational activities.
Check the Living with Fire website at www.livingwithfire.info/tahoe to find out about events in your area.

The goal of the Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week is to encourage individual action to reduce the threat of wildfire to homes and communities.
Activities will provide information and resources to create defensible space around homes. Creating defensible space involves selecting and maintaining vegetation near the home, thereby reducing the risk that homes will be ignited and destroyed during a wildfire.
It takes a coordinated effort between individuals and local fire and other agencies to prepare a community to survive wildfire.
We are counting on you to play your part in protecting Lake Tahoe Basin communities from wildfire. Please join in wildfire week activities to “Get Defensive” with others in your community.

For information on how to create defensible space in the Tahoe Basin see www.livingwithfire.info/tahoe, or contact Susie Kocher at 530-542-2571 or sdkocher@ucdavis.edu.

CALFIRE NEWS: Burn Permits Required Starting Sunday #MMU

 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection:  Madera- Mariposa-Merced unit (CALFIRE MMU) has declared that a burn permit will be required for all hazard-reduction burning in Mariposa County beginning Sunday.

• The county has open hours for pile burning.
• Ensure safe hazard- reduction burning, clear flammable material and vegetation within 10 feet of the outer edge of the pile and keep a water supply at hand.
• An adult should be nearby with a shovel until the fire is out.
• No burning should be done unless weather conditions, especially wind, are safe.
• No household trash or garbage can be burned.

Burn permits can be obtained at Mariposa Cal Fire headquarters. Conditions will be monitored, and Cal Fire can modify the restrictions or discontinue burning as appropriate.

Mariposa County and Merced Residents are required to call an information line at (209) 966-1200 before burning a pile.

TCU NEWS: #CALFIRE SRA Burn Permits Start Sunday

Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit of Cal Fire will soon be requiring burn permits.

Starting this Sunday, May 1st, burning permits within State Responsibility areas of Tuolumne County and Calaveras County will be required. Since May 1st falls on a Sunday, the expiration on existing burn permits has been extended to June 1st for those permits which would have expired at the end of April 2011.

"Now that burn permits will be required, your pile size maximum should be 4 feet by feet," said Cal Fire Spokesperson Lisa Williams. "And you should have 10 feet bare mineral soil around your burn pile. You should have suppression tools available such as a shovel and water in case of an escape. We also urge people not to burn on windy days."

Burn permits will be available Monday through Friday at the Cal Fire Headquarters at 785 Mountain Ranch Road in San Andreas, the Twain Harte Fire Station at 22978 Meadow Drive in Twain Harte, Station 51 at Mono Village on 1950 Hillsdale Drive in Sonora and the Blanchard Fire Station, 2990 Highway 132 in La Grange.

Burn hours will remain open until further notice, but outdoor burning may be done only on burn days. Cal Fire says it's also important to check the burn day status by calling your local Air Pollution Control District with jurisdiction over your area.

#NWS FIRE WEATHER WATCH - SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH

WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING.

WX:
WIND: FROM THE SOUTHWEST SUSTAINED AT 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 TO NEAR 40 MPH.
HUMIDITY: BELOW 15 PERCENT...MOSTLY IN THE SINGLE DIGITS.

AFFECTED AREA:
SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 230...231 AND 232 JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK...EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY AND IMPERIAL COUNTY INCLUDING THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY.
ARIZONA...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 131...132 AND 133...ALL OF YUMA COUNTY AND LA PAZ COUNTY INCLUDING THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY...MARICOPA COUNTY...NORTHWEST AND NORTH- CENTRAL PINAL COUNTY...AND SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY.

IMPACTS: THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE DANGER WILL CREATE HAZARDOUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS AND FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THIS FIRE WEATHER WATCH.

Area: ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 131YUMA/MARTINEZ LAKE AND VICINITY/LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AZ-ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 132SOUTH-CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST DESERTS-ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 133SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY/TONTO NATIONAL FOREST FOOTHILLS-CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 230JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK-CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 231LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY CA-CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 232IMPERIAL COUNTY AND EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY-

Affected Counties or parts of: Riverside, Imperial

CA-KCFD-BEAR #WildlandFire 331 acres, 100%

Approximately 50 Kern County Fire Department firefighters were involved in extinguishing the Bear Fire which grew to 331 acres.

Cal EMA News Blog

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Cal EMA Joins the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), Victim Advocates, and Other Representatives to Recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month Posted: 27 Apr 2011 03:51 PM PDT *The following news release was issued by Cal EMA on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.* SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, California Emergency Management Agency Acting Secretary Mike Dayton joined the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), victim advocates and other representatives at the California State Capitol to recognize the 2011 National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign and support Denim Day.  Denim Day is an event across California and the nation in which participants wear denim to "speak out against sexual violence".  The Denim Day campaign began in 1999 with CALCASA and LACAAW, the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women, as part of an international protest of an Italian Supreme Court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans.  The Italian Supreme Court dismissed charges against a 45-year old rape suspect because his 18-year-old victim was wearing jeans at the time of the attack.  The Court stated in its decision that "It is common knowledge…that jeans cannot even be partly removed without the effective help of the person wearing them….and it is impossible if the victim is struggling with all her might."  The judgment sparked worldwide outcry from those who understand coercion, threats and violence go along with the act of rape.  The unpopular verdict became an international symbol of myth-based injustice for sexual assault victims. Cal EMA Acting Secretary Dayton along with other representatives signed a pledge to work together to prevent and end sexual violence.  "I am proud to recognize Cal EMA's support to all 58 counties of California from our Victim/Witness, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Children's Sections", said Acting Secretary Dayton. "Through the direct funding programs, these Sections work tirelessly to administer the many programs which provide assistance to victims and witnesses of all types of crimes." Additionally, the goal of SAAM is to raise awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.  Each day, people witness a continuum of behaviors that range from being respectful and safe, to sexually abusive and violent.  This primary prevention approach helps to create environments where people are safe in their relationships, families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and communities. For more information on these programs and how you can help, please visit our website at www.calema.ca.gov.  Additional resources can be found at http://www.nsvrc.org/saam, http://calcasa.org/, http://vcgcb.ca.gov/victims/default.aspx, http://www.rainn.org/index.php, and http://www.nctsn.org/. ####

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#LBFD: Felony #DUI Arrest warrant issued for a Long Beach fire captain

Arrest warrant issued for Long Beach fire captain in alleged drunk-driving crash

An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for a Long Beach fire captain who allegedly was drunk when he hit and severely injured a bicyclist, prosecutors said.

John David Hines, 38, was driving drunk in his pickup truck April 1 when he lost control and swerved into a bike lane in Seal Beach, crashing into bicyclist Jeffrey Gordon, prosecutors said.

Gordon, 47, was thrown from his bike and landed on the shoulder of the road while Hines allegedly drove away.

Gordon suffered head trauma, severe cuts and bruising, internal injuries and spinal injuries, prosecutors said. He was hospitalized for two weeks and still suffers from limited mobility and speech and memory loss.

The impact of the crash left a blood splatter on Hines’ truck, which was heavily damaged, prosecutors said.

Two drivers who witnessed the crash followed Hines to his home and called police. About two hours after the crash, Hines had a blood alcohol level of .24 percent, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors filed several charges against Hines this week, including one felony count each of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol level of .08% or more causing injury, and hit and run with injury.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in state prison.

Police were trying to locate Hines, spokeswoman Farrah Emami said.

Source: latimes.com - Link Author: Paloma Esquivel

Shasta County Fire Department appoints new chief: Rick Kyle

Shasta County Fire Department Chief Rick Kyle

Shasta County supervisors today appointed Rick Kyle as the new fire warden and chief of the Shasta County Fire Department.

He was also named unit chief for the Shasta-Trinity division of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection by Acting Director Ken Pimlott.

Kyle, 47, has served as the central division operations chief with Shasta-Trinity Cal Fire since 2007.

He began working with Ca lFire in 1982 as a seasonal firefighter in Butte County.

10 Year 9-11 Anniversary Manhattan to Manhattan Bus Tour: Patch Project

10 Year 9-11 Anniversary Manhattan to Manhattan Bus Tour:

At noon on January 25th, 2011, the creators of the 9/11 Rose Float, recently featured in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, passed the “WE WILL NEVER FORGET” torch to the FireCareers.com-9/11 Patch Project bus. Following a brief ceremony, the bus embarked on a 9 month U.S. tour to spread awareness of the 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11, recruit organizations to wear the 10 Yr 9/11 Patches and raise funds through the sale of 9/11 Patch Project merchandise.

The net proceeds gathered from the sale of the special merchandise will be donated in Manhattan, on September 11th, 2011, to the FDNY Bravest Scholarship Fund, Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund and the Feal Good Foundation. Click on bus to your left to see CBS news clip of sendoff.

From Manhattan on the West Coast to Manhattan on the East Coast, the bus will make hundreds of stops along the way at fire departments, conventions and other special events to sell the 10 Year 9/11 Anniversary items. In addition to selling patches, decals and flags to raise funds, pictures will be taken at the various tour stops with hosting personnel and community supporters. Albums with pictures from all the stops will be prepared in an album that will be presented in Manhattan to the organizations listed above.

Contact FireCareers.com to have them make a stop at your department or event by using this email: craig@firecareers.com. You can purchase merchandise from the bus, ask them for an order form and flier or get them online now at this LINK. Your organization can also get your name on the bus through a sponsorship available at this LINK.

We will be adding items over the coming months so stay tuned to the site or newsletters. If you are not on the newsletter distribution, please go to the HOME PAGE and sign up so you are not left out on updates!

This 10 Year 9/11 Anniversary plan follows the successful 9-year run of the 9/11 Patch Project where over 6000 organizations in 22 countries have come forward to wear the patches or display the decals. 10’s of thousands of dollars have been raised and donated to 10 non-profit organizations. See where the funds are going today, by clicking this LINK:

FDNNTV.com 9/11 Patch Project 10 Year 9/11 Anniversary Story 2 (click link to view story)

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Pictures from recent tour stops in Arizona....

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Click image below to purchase your patches & decals now!

Special 10-Yr patches and decals available along with other items from the 9/11 Patch Project store. Click image to the left to order now...

Tennessee: Great Central U.S. ShakeOut #Earthquake Drill

 Drop, Cover, Hold On

1895 6.0 New Madrid Quake Comparison Map
Credit: #USGS

City of Franklin Tennessee News Release : Employees Prepare to Participate in Multistate Earthquake Drill


Just 150 miles west of Williamson County is the New Madrid seismic zone, a fault system that has the potential to affect numerous central and southeastern states, including Tennessee.

Franklin Fire Marshal Andy King says that although Middle Tennessee is well within range of a large-scale New Madrid earthquake, many people in the area aren’t prepared. On Thursday, April 28, at 10:15 a.m., City Hall employees will participate in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, an earthquake drill that will take place in 11 states, and they are inviting others to join them. City and fire department officials are urging businesses, schools, and residents to get involved.

More than 2 million people in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina and Tennessee have signed up to participate in this multi-state earthquake drill. King is encouraging other Franklin businesses and organizations to sign up to participate at www.shakeout.org/centralus, which also has free earthquake drill manuals and disaster preparedness information available. King noted that this is the first major earthquake drill to take place in this area.

King said the drill will be a traditional “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” earthquake drill, and will take about five minutes. During the drill, participants practice three steps:

1. DROP – Immediately drop to the ground where you are when the earth starts shaking. Earthquakes occur without warning and you will never know if the initial earthquake jolt will turn out to be the start of a big one. Drop before you know.

2. COVER – Take cover by getting beneath a sturdy table or desk or dropping to the floor near an interior wall, and cover your head with your hands and arms. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms.

3. HOLD ON – Hold on to something sturdy and stay where you are until the shaking stops.

"This will probably be the first time many Tennesseans have participated in an earthquake drill,” said King. “But a significant earthquake in West Tennessee would impact us, and we need to be prepared. Although our region does not expect significant structural damage, we should prepare for the possible loss of power, water, and disruption of other essential services.” King said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that everyone should have a personal emergency plan that allows them to survive for up to three days without assistance. He said the www.ready.gov Web site is the best source for information to help families develop their plans and determine what supplies they will need.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, during 1811-12, the central Mississippi River Valley was violently shaken by a series of three earthquakes above a magnitude 7, and up to 200 aftershocks between magnitude 4 and 7.

A similar risk exists today in the New Madrid seismic zone, which threatens Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Recent projections by the U.S. Geological Survey place the likelihood of a magnitude 6 or higher earthquake at about 25-50 percent over the next few decades, whereas a magnitude 7 or higher has a 10 percent chance of occurring.

King said it’s important to prepare now for earthquakes and other natural disasters. “The ShakeOut is our chance to practice how to protect ourselves, and for everyone to become prepared. The goal is to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.”

More earthquake and natural disaster preparedness info: 

http://geology.com/usgs/new-madrid-seismic-zone/ contains image above
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3071/ image original source, info of prev. quakes
http://www.emporia.edu/earthsci/student/smotherman2/globaltect2.htm Good!! Missouri geology, formation

www.franklintn.gov/fire.

Cal EMA News Blog

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SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Residents and Businesses Affected by the March 2011 Storms Posted: 26 Apr 2011 04:32 PM PDT *The following news release was issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.* Sacramento, CA – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to California residents and business owners affected by the March 2011 storms that occurred March 15 – 27 in Santa Cruz County, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills announced today.  SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following a request received on April 21, 2011, from Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr.'s designated representative, Mike Dayton, acting secretary of the California Emergency Management Agency. The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Santa Cruz County and the neighboring counties of Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo and Santa Clara. “The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing Californians with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist residents and businesses affected by the March 2011 storms with federal disaster loans," said Mills.  "Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA." "Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster," said SBA San Francisco District Director Mark Quinn.  "Beginning Wednesday, April 27 at 1 pm, customer service representatives will be on hand at the following SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA's disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application," Quinn continued.  The center will be open on the days and times indicated.  No appointment is necessary. Santa Cruz County Disaster Loan Outreach Center Capitola City Hall, Community Room 420 Capitola Avenue Capitola, CA 95010 Opens Wednesday, April 27th at 1pm Mondays-Fridays 9am – 5:30pm Closes Thursday, May 12, 2011 Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future. For small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Interest rates can be as low as 2.563 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for private, non‑profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant's financial condition. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA's Customer Service Center by calling SBA toll-free at (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA's Web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is June 27, 2011.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is January 26, 2012. For more information, visit SBA's Web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

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San Carlos votes to partner with Redwood City on a "shared services"

SAN CARLOS SAYS NO TO FOR-PROFIT FIRE SERVICE:

The San Carlos city council unanimously voted to partner with Redwood City last night on a "shared services/collaborative" hybrid FD, with more than 150 vocally passionate attendees, many of whom held anti-Wackenhut signs in opposition of the private for-profit company who wanted the contract.
The hybrid proposal will save the city $1.8 million. As a back-up plan, the city also voted to 3-2 to re invite the private firm Wackenhut Services to re bid should negotiations with Redwood City fail.

The details of the hybrid option are as follow:

• Redwood City will provide four firefighters staffing "Truck 9" out of Fire Station 9.
• Supervision and scene management will be provided by Redwood City
• Administrative staff will be provided by Redwood City including Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, an administrative assistant, a secretary, and another secretary working out of the 755 Marshall Street office.
• A fire inspector will be assigned to San Carlos.
• Training services will be provided by Redwood City's battalion Chief.
• San Carlos would maintain an EMS battalion chief.

Wackenhut, the for profit business that had a sent in a bid to the city just before the April 1 deadline - offers businesses and governments an array of services, including EMS and fire. Not surprisingly, the company had presented some "not completely accurate" details in their presentation.

Source: The Secret List 4-26-11 / 0600 hours

www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

- Link

ALCO: Former fire chief sues for $2 Million - Wrongful Termination

Former fire chief sues Calif. city for $2M

Fire Chief sued for inappropriately using city gas pumps to fuel his personal vehicle

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Former Alameda fire Chief Dave Kapler has filed a $2 million wrongful termination lawsuit against the city of Alameda, saying he was forced to quit his job.

Kapler resigned as chief in November amid accusations that he inappropriately used city gas pumps to fuel his personal vehicle. But in the lawsuit filed Thursday Kapler denies wrongdoing and says city officials targeted him on behalf of the firefighters union, which he claims did not approve of the tough stand he took against it during contract talks.

Kapler says in the lawsuit that he was allowed to use the city pumps to fuel his personal vehicle through a verbal agreement with former City Manager Debra Kurita, who hired him in October 2007.

He says he had an "exemplary" work history for more than 40 years and that he stepped down as chief to preserve his reputation when he learned that city officials were planning to fire him.

He is seeking compensation for lost wages, emotional distress and other damages.

Kapler says in the lawsuit that Councilmember Lena Tam conspired with the firefighters union and that his termination was "politically motivated."

Tam, Kurita and former Interim City Manager Ann Marie Gallant are named in the suit, which was filed in Alameda County Superior Court.

City officials placed Kapler on administrative leave in September after the photograph emerged showing him fueling his BMW coupe at a city gas pump.

Gallant then told him in a Sept. 17 letter that he was going to be fired on Sept. 24, which he notes in the suit was just a week before he would have been eligible to receive retirement benefits from the city.

Tam said she believes the lawsuit is without merit.

Kapler was right to quit because he was caught misusing public resources, she said.

"During a fiscal crisis that resulted in the closure of an Alameda fire station and reduction in firefighting staff and programs, Kapler's actions were stunningly irresponsible," Tam said.

As part of his contract with the city, Kapler's Honda Ridgeline truck was outfitted with a radio and other equipment so he could use it if needed. He also was given a $250 monthly car allowance, Tam said.

His salary was about $195,000 annually.

Firefighters took a "no confidence" vote on Kapler in June 2009, saying he was not doing enough to promote a safe level of staffing. Disgruntled firefighters are also believed to have leaked the photograph that showed Kapler at the city gas pump.


By Peter Hegarty - Source: http://www.insidebayarea.com - Article Link

#Fire stations serve as #EMS clinics in ALCO health care program

Fire stations serve as clinics in Calif. health care program

Stations would help residents who do not have health care deal with simple health issues like vaccinations, prescriptions or sinus infections

ALAMEDA COUNTY, Calif. — In a county where health-care coverage is unaffordable for more than 200,000 residents, Alameda County health officials are undertaking a project that could bring basic health care services as close as your local fire station.

In an effort to get primary and preventive care to those who most need it and to cut down on expensive emergency room visits, the Alameda County Health Care Services is attempting to launch a unique pilot program in which fire stations serve as a type of health clinic.

"When people get primary care, things go great. We know that," said Alex Briscoe, director of the county's health care services. "The problem is, there is a huge supply and demand disconnect on preventive and primary care in our community."

The idea got a boost last week when the county's board of supervisors allocated $750,000 for the proposed project — which in its basic outline would staff fire stations with three people — including a paramedic and medical or drug practitioner — to help residents who do not have health care deal with simple health issues like vaccinations, prescriptions or sinus infections.

Briscoe said, in theory, such a program could save millions of dollars in unnecessary emergency room visits and paramedic response services. In return, it could make clinical services more accessible to those who need the county's safety net services the most.

Briscoe said the genesis of the program came from the simple goal of trying to get people more access to care. Another aim, Briscoe stressed, is getting people to use such an offering — which is where fire stations came in.

"People trust firefighters," he said.

If money falls into place, the idea is for the pilot program to roll out at five stations in poorer neighborhoods where the most avoidable emergency room visits originate, such as Hayward, San Leandro and East and West Oakland.

Currently, the proposed locations for the startup clinics would be in two Oakland fire stations — one in East and one in West Oakland — one Hayward station and stations in Union City and San Leandro.

Briscoe said he estimates the program will run about $2.5 million in startup costs, and operational cost will be about $2 million per year, although he adds costs are somewhat fluid since this type of program has not been done.

The cost of the program could be covered using a combination of funds from different sources, such as the county's Measure A — a voter-approved tax in the county used for health care services — MediCal reimbursement for care given at the clinics, contributions from participating municipalities, as well as money from philanthropy groups.

Briscoe said exact financing for the program is still in flux as the county continues to talk to city officials and labor officials, but added he has received positive feedback from the local fire community.

If all goes well and enough capital is secured, Briscoe said the first clinics in fire stations could be operational by July 2012.

By Chris Metinko - The Oakland Tribune
Source: MercuryNews - Link

#LAFD fire chief says fire truck cutback will aid #EMS - 2011 Deployment Plan

Pat McOsker, president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, harshly criticized the new plan

LOS ANGELES — Bracing for a $54 million cut in the next budget, Fire Chief Millage Peaks on Friday announced a new plan to reduce the number of fire engines in service while boosting the city's ability to respond to medical emergencies.

Peaks said the new plan, detailed in a 14-page memo released Friday, brings an end to the rolling brownouts at fire stations around the city, but gives the department flexibility to respond to emergencies.

"The 2011 Deployment Plan is designed to maximize service delivery under a reduced budget," the memo to all LAFD workers said.

The plan will be phased in beginning in June and take full effect by July 5.

Once implemented, it will eliminate one division and two battalion offices; end service by 11 engine companies and seven light forces; upgrade 10 fire companies to paramedic companies; and open an emergency medical service battalion office.

It eliminates the staff assistant positions from seven battalion companies and renames the remaining staff assistants as emergency incident technicians.

The changes are partly to reflect the fact that demand for fire service is secondary to the medical calls the department receives. Officials have said more than 80 percent of its calls are for medical care.

Pat McOsker, president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, harshly criticized the new plan.

"This is really disgusting," McOsker said. "The mayor and the fire chief came out with a plan to permanently reduce fire company and ambulance protection in neighborhoods throughout the city only two days after the City Council's Personnel Committee voted to hire nine more civilian investigators.

"The money they are throwing at their pet project would be much better spent keeping a couple of fire companies or ambulances open to protect lives. Closing fire department resources means responses will be delayed to emergencies and that means lives will be lost unnecessarily."

The Personnel Committee action was taken to hire investigators for the voter-approved Professional Standards Division.

The proposal is modeled after the Inspector General's Office in the Los Angeles Police Department and was the result of a number of lawsuits and incidents within the LAFD.

Under the new plan, emergency medical services are being elevated and a new concept of paired battalions is being developed to make sure there is coverage throughout the city.

Plans are to develop a computerized tracking system of calls to adjust deployments.

In the San Fernando Valley, which is being renamed from Division 3 to North Division, five engine companies are being closed and two light force companies are being dropped, to be replaced with assessment companies. Also, there are a number of shifts in ambulance service throughout the area.

The plan is expected to be reviewed by the City Council's Public Safety Committee as well as the Budget and Finance Committee as they review the $6.9 billion proposed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.  

Source: Daily News of Los Angeles - http://www.dailynews.com/

Cal EMA News Blog

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Cal EMA Acting Secretary Dayton Joins DHS Secretary Napolitano and LA Officials to Announce ‘See Something, Say Something’ Expansion Posted: 25 Apr 2011 11:48 AM PDT *The following news release was issued by Cal EMA on Monday, April 25, 2011.* LOS ANGELES – Today California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) Acting Secretary Mike Dayton joined U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and other LA city and county officials for a tour of the new Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center (MLETC) at the Port of Los Angeles and to announce the expansion of the “See Something, Say Something” campaign. The MLETC will have the country's first maritime curriculum – approved by Cal EMA and DHS – specifically designed to train state and local law enforcement personnel. The training provides advanced instruction on maritime boardings, arrest procedures, vessel identification, searches, and counter-terrorism practices and procedures. “Protecting the public from the threats of terrorism is an ongoing team effort," said Acting Secretary Dayton. "The fight against terrorism is a top priority and we must never grow complacent in our efforts. The development of the MLETC curriculum and expansion of 'See Something, Say Something' are both important steps to ensuring that California is making every effort to protect the public's health and safety." Launched by Secretary Napolitano in 2010, the “See Something, Say Something” campaign is a national public awareness campaign using education materials, advertisements and other outreach tools to engage travelers, businesses, community organizations and public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play an active role in keeping our country safe. The “See Something, Say Something” campaign has been launched at other locations around Los Angeles including LAX, Union Station and throughout the rail system, and the NBA All-Star Game. For more information about "See Something, Say Something," please visit www.dhs.gov. ###

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Stockton fire destroys mosque, damages Christian Center

Updated: #ATF Federal arson investigators will assist the Stockton Fire Department today as officials probe the Saturday strip mall fire that gutted a mosque and damaged a church.

Stockton Fire Battalion Chief Robert Tuitavuki said agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were requested to join the investigation. Tuitavuki said the ATF is often available for assistance on "high-interest" cases.Investigators initially delayed investigations of the two-alarm blaze because the damage was extensive enough to make it unsafe, officials said.

Tuitavuki said the site is secure and that investigators will begin clearing heavy debris today.
 

Original Story: Stockton, Calif. - Stockton fire officials are investigating the cause of a strip mall fire that destroyed a mosque and damaged a church.

Deputy Fire Chief Paul Willette says nearly 40 firefighters spent an hour battling the two-alarm fire on North Pershing Avenue after it was reported around 4:15 a.m. Saturday.

The Stockton Record says no one was injured by the blaze that gutted the Masjid Al-Emaan Mosque, as well as the Reliance Real Estate office next door.

The mosque's president says he doesn't know where its roughly 100 members would go to pray now.

Officials at the Living Water Ministries & Christian Center say the small church suffered smoke and water damage.

The fire also led to the evacuation of an apartment complex behind the strip mall.___
Sources:
The Record, www.recordnet.com/ Link

SfGate: http://www.sfgate.com  Link

Onshore Winds Now Driving #Radioactive Plume Across Wide Swath of #Japan

Japanese nuclear plant accident in Fukushima: weather, the spread of radioactivity has reversed towards Japan Mainland.

Current Weather forecast for Japan Fukushima region:

Still is weak ridge of high pressure influence. A low pressure development is underway on the Korean peninsula. This low moves northeast in the wake of the Japanese Sea. Japan entered his sphere of influence. A massive front is controlled here on Saturday from the southwest of Japan, bringing some heavy rain. Only on Sunday eased the situation, it can be expected only at times of rain.

Friday
Today there are only local rain showers. The wind was blowing moderately, partly to life in coastal areas from southeast to southwest.

Saturday
Spreading from the southwest part from heavy rain that can bring large amounts of rain. Also, thunderstorms are in the process. The wind blows from the southeast to southwest lively temporarily, after front passage increases from southwest to west. Small Leetiefs on the east coast of Japan may in the troubled region but the wind can blow at times also from northeast to southeast - and from the Pacific.

Sunday
It is anticipated an interim improvement. Only in places there are rain showers in many places it is dry and the wind will come back weaker and increasingly from south to southwest. (Especially for the Tokyo area). To the nuclear power plant there can be temporary but light winds from the northeast to southeast.

Plumes / dispersion calculations

The color scale is currently showing a total of 5 colors. The "Area A" (purple color) defines a region with a maximum load of 0.3 micro Sievert per hour. This value is the maximum dose rate of natural background levels. When "Area B" (blue) would be to load 3 Micro-Sievert, until at,, Area E "at a value of 3 milli-Sievert per hour finally arrives, what assessment the highest effective dose rate in a 25x25 km ² box around the power plant is a. Because the present data, it is assumed, that the true values ​​in Japan are currently no means over. In the presence of other available data this chart will be adapted accordingly.
Please note that the radiation exposure decline in the crisis region. The effects of the accident have been reduced so significantly.
The color scale shows a total of five colors. , Area A "(purple) is meant to mark in area with maximum dose rate of 0.3 ╣ Sv / h, Which Corresponds to the amount of natural background radiation dose." Area B "(blue) marks a region with 3 micro-Sievert per hour. Finally, one arrives in "Area E" with a maximum dose rate of 3 milli-Sievert per hour. This dose rate is currently certainly not exceeded in the regional area (25x25 km ² box) around the NPP. Irrespective of the assumed emissions, the maximum value of the model is always used to Determine "Area E".
Please keep in mind that, due to the decreasing level of radioactivity in the crisis region, the actual area of ​​influence is likely much smaller than the one Displayed here.

Figures: spread of cloud over East Asia for the coming days (12:00 UTC)
Figures: Spread of radioactivity over Eastern Asia / following days (12:00 UTC)
Video: spread of the cloud of Fukushima / permanent Freisetzung/Jod-131
Video: Plume spread from Fukushima / Permanent Release/Iodine-131

Latest NEI Updates

UPDATE AS OF 12 P.M. EDT, FRIDAY, APRIL 22: Below is a round-up of noteworthy news that happened this week with regard to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and the U.S. nuclear industry's response.

Plant Status:

• Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) released a roadmap to bring the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant to a stable condition.
• Priorities at Fukushima this week continue to be cooling the reactors and spent fuel pools, draining water from the turbine buildings and concrete structures that house piping to reduce radiation levels, and containing the spread of radioactive materials.
• Overall, site radiation dose rates are stabilizing. The most recent radiation readings reported at the plant site gates ranged from 5.7 millirem per hour to 2.6 millirem per hour.
• Japan's government has expanded evacuation to selected areas outside the original 12.5-mile zone. Authorities also are barring entry into nine municipalities near the plant.
• TEPCO released a presentation on April 18 summarizing the impact of the earthquake and the current status of the plants.

Sources: ZAMAG - Link, NEI - Link
More Information: #TEPCO Roadmap towards Restoration from the Accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Link: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/betu11_e/images/110417e12.pdf

#Japan: #Fukushima Nuclear Plant Update - Dr. Kaku #TEPCO "Guinea Pigs"

 "My family is already leaving Tokyo because they don’t believe the statements of the Japanese utility because they have consistently low-balled the dangers, as has everyone else." - Dr. Kaku 

As cloud of radioactivity continues to cover the United States, Emergency and Public Safety agencies appear to be in complete denial or Downplaying this incident because they feel impotent unable to assist in any way!

The Government of Japan of Japan has been proven completly inept and desingenious in face of this disaster, and is criminal in it's behavior allowing the profit driven Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to put the whole earth in peril as 4300 tons of the most toxic materials known to man continue to burn.



Dr. Michio Kaku concurs calling the Human Race TEPCO "Guinea Pigs"

“Radiation is continuing to leak out of the reactors, the situation is not stable at all, radiation continues to leak,” 
“We are looking at a ticking timebomb. It appears stable but the slightest disturbance, a secondary earthquake, a pipe break, evacuation of the crew at Fukishima  could set off a full scale melt down at three nuclear power stations, "far beyond what we saw at Chernobyl.”
says Dr. Michio Kaku, professor of theoretical physics at the City University of New York and top graduate of Harvard.

Firefighter of the Year honors - Exchange Club of Redding

Redding Exchange Club Firefighter Awards

Reported by: Linda Watkins-Bennett

Firefighting requires extensive training, bravery, and risk-taking ... and not everyone is cut out for the job.  But those who do the work, and do it well, were recognized today by the Exchange Club of Redding.

  A dozen firefighters from both city and county agencies received Firefighter of the Year honors . While they were grateful to the Exchange Club, they were especially proud to be recognized by their peers.

  Brenda Massingham is a single mother of two, and a dedicated volunteer.  She was named as the Shasta Fire Departments Firefighter of the Year, "It's something dear to my heart and I hope to be inspiration to younger men and women to seek a career in fire service."

  Danny Sykes has served as the equiptment fleet manager for Cal Fire Shasta County for ten years. He was recognized for his knowledge, leadership and planning. Sykes says it's like working with one big family, "I was 100 percent surprised to receive the award. I've been to several of these where peers received them over the years. It's outstanding ... amazing."

  Fire Inspector Craig Wittner says it's an honor to serve the community, and to work for the Redding Fire Department, "I've looked up to these guys for years. To get to stand next to them at jobs , to see what they do, for me it's like an e ticket ride."

  The Chairman of the Exchange Club Event happens to be the Fire Chief in Old Shasta.  Mark Todd says, "It's a great morale booster. A lot of people work tirelessly, and volunteers spend 100's of hours training and going to calls, and it's great to recognize them and it's really appreciated."

  Todd says club members feel it's important to give recognition where recognition is due .... which is why they also host Police Officer of the Year, and Scholar Athlete awards.

Source: KHSL - http://www.khsltv.com/content/localnews/story/Redding-Exchange-Club-Firefighter-Awards/2paWdZ8YRE-1ltDnUBwrWg.cspx

#FEMA News: #DHS officially scraps 2002 color-coded terror-alert system

National Terrorism Advisory System

New terror alerts will be specific and short-lived, unlike the colors, the alerts will have expiration dates: "When a Threat develops We Will Tell You... or Not"

 The new program, called the National Terrorism Advisory System, will go live April 26. Intelligence analysts from the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, and other government agencies will decide when to recommend a specific alert.

If she concurs, Ms. Napolitano will then make a public announcement, followed by detailed information on the Homeland Security website and alerts disseminated through social-media sites.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says the color-coded terror alert system will be replaced next week by two warnings — Elevated and Imminent.


The new DHS and FEMA warnings could be conveyed to the public through Facebook and Twitter. Unlike the colors, the alerts will have expiration dates.


Napolitano says the threat picture in the U.S. is currently at an "elevated baseline," and future public warnings will hinge on specific and credible intelligence above and beyond that threshold.


She says the terror threat to the U.S. is at its highest since 9/11 because of the increasing number and types of international and homegrown threats. This does not mean there is a specific threat of an imminent attack.

Official #DHS Statement: 

The National Terrorism Advisory System, or NTAS, replaces the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). 

This new system will more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports and other transportation hubs, and the private sector.
It recognizes that Americans all share responsibility for the nation's security, and should always be aware of the heightened risk of terrorist attack in the United States and what they should do.

Learn more:

• NTAS Public Guide, 
• NTAS Frequently Asked Questions, 
• Sample NTAS Alert (PDF, 1 page - 89 KB) 

Action Center:

• NTAS Alerts via Email 
• NTAS Alerts via Facebook 
• NTAS Alerts via Twitter 
• NTAS for your website Data feeds, web widgets and graphics

Cal EMA News Blog

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Cal EMA Acting Secretary Dayton Applauds President’s Declaration to Supplement Local Tsunami Recovery Efforts Posted: 18 Apr 2011 04:50 PM PDT *The following news release was issued by Cal EMA on Monday, April 18, 2011.* SACRAMENTO, CA – Acting Secretary Mike Dayton applauded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  upon learning that federal disaster aid has been made available to California to supplement the state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a tsunami wave surge on March 11, 2011. "The Presidential Declaration of Disaster will allow federal funding be made available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the tsunami wave surge in Del Norte and Santa Cruz counties" said Dayton. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. According to Sandy Coachman, Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area, additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments. The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) coordinates overall state agency preparedness for, response to and recovery from major disasters. Cal EMA also maintains the State Emergency Plan, which outlines the organizational structure for state management of the response to natural and manmade disasters. FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. For inquiries please contact: Jay Alan, Communications Director, (916) 825-6544 or media@calema.ca.gov . ###

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