USFA: Fewest on-duty deaths of firefighters since 1977

There were 85 on-duty deaths in 2010, according to preliminary statistics. Of those, 15 are classified as Hometown Heroes.

Last year was record-setting -- the fewest on-duty deaths of firefighters since the USFA started compiling statistics in 1977.

In 2003, federal legislation was adopted that firefighters who died of heart attacks or strokes within 24 hours of a response or training receive that designation.

This is the second year in a row that on-duty deaths showed a decline. In 2009, the country experienced the lowest number in 15 years
.
Of those who died in 2010, 55 were volunteers, 28 were career, one was a paid full-time wildland and one was a paid-on call.

Heart attacks continue to claim the most firefighters -- 56.4 percent -- while trauma was reported in 23.5 percent of the deaths. Other causes included stroke, burns, heat exhaustion, asphyxiation and crushing.
Two firefighters who died in 2010 had sustained the injury in previous years, records showed. Those two deaths will be added to those years' totals to bring this year's down from 87 to 85.

Twenty-five of those who died were 61 or older, while two were under 21.

The number of on-duty deaths may change in the coming months as officials check with people in each state to ensure that everyone has been counted.

March and July were the deadliest months -- 11 firefighter fatalities each, while there were four in February and August.

On May 22, four firefighter deaths were recorded by the USFA.

Other statistics showed 20 occurred on the scene; 19 other on-duty activity; 16 responding; 16 after; 7 training; 4 on-scene non-fire and one returning.

USFA PDF Attachment: 

USFA2010fatalitysummary.pdf

Article source: http://www.firehouse.com/ article Link

San Diego: Owners of "#BombHouse" property has filed $500,000 claim

 Attorney for 'bomb house' owner files claim against county

Owners offered to sell house for $500K day before burn

An attorney for the owners of the "bomb house" property near Escondido has demanded at least $500,000 for his clients' loss and distress, according to a claim filed with San Diego County.

In a dramatic operation that captured national attention, authorities burned the single-story residence to the ground on Dec. 9, 2010, to destroy what they said was its huge and highly unstable stockpile of explosives.
They said fire was the only safe way to neutralize the homemade bomb materials found throughout the cluttered house just west of Interstate 15 and north of El Norte Parkway. Authorities said the explosives included the same destructive compounds as those used in recent terrorist plots.

San Diego County officials, who took the lead on the operation because the property is in an unincorporated county pocket, maintain that the materials posed a threat to the surrounding neighborhood.
That may be so. But Steven A. McKinley, the owners' San Diego attorney, said it doesn't get the county off the hook for compensating his clients. He said their loss is at least $500,000, when the home's value, and his clients' distress and inconvenience, are factored in.

"We do not believe an emergency existed within the meaning of those cases which allow a taking without compensation," McKinley said in a Dec. 15 e-mail to Thomas Bunton, a senior deputy county counsel.
That e-mail, and one from McKinley to Bunton on Dec. 8, were included in the county's claims files. A county response attached to McKinley's e-mails was redacted. In the Dec. 8 e-mail, the day before the burn, McKinley said the owners would drop the claim if the county agreed to buy the property for $494,000 and pay other related costs.

Bunton said by phone on Tuesday that the county has not officially responded to the claim or met with the claimants, but plans "a timely response." He said the county would provide an unredacted e-mail response at a later date.

"Our legal position is that we believe that there's no compensation requirement here," Bunton said. "This was exigent circumstances. It was an emergency."
He added that McKinley's statement about his clients' distress and inconvenience probably wouldn't sway the county.

"I think the key is, it's a difficult situation," Bunton said. "Sometimes individuals have to suffer to protect the greater good. And that may be the case here."

McKinley, the claimant's attorney, did not return messages on Tuesday seeking further comment.
Michele Holt, identified by the county as the owner of the home at 1954 Via Scott, has not returned repeated calls seeking comment. It was not immediately known who the other owner or owners were.

McKinley's Dec. 15 e-mail to Bunton continued, saying he does not "believe that the nature of the taking and the surrounding circumstances excuse the constitutional requirement of just compensation for takings in eminent domain. Demand is made that the County immediately compensate our clients for loss of use, property damage and diminution in value, and distress and inconvenience. Said loss is not less than $500,000."

A county spokesman said in December that the county was not obligated to compensate the owner because the "home is being destroyed to protect the public health and safety."

The home's renter, George Jakubec, was jailed Nov. 18, 2010, after a landscaper was injured in an explosion at the house. Jakubec has pleaded not guilty to federal bombmaking and bank robbery charges.
He remains in federal custody without bail.

Source article: http://www.nctimes.com - Story Link

LODD: Alameda City Fire Captain Scott Carnevale

LODD: Alameda City Fire Captain Scott Carnevale

It is with deepest regret that the Alameda Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 689, and the City of Alameda Fire Department announce the Line of Duty Death of Alameda City Fire Captain Scott Carnevale of occupational cancer.

He was 42 years old.

Brother Carnevale began his career in the Fire Service at the Alameda Naval Air Station Fire Department in 1993.

He joined the Alameda Fire Department in 1997. He was promoted to Apparatus Operator in 2001 and then to Fire Captain in 2007. As a captain, Brother Carnevale was assigned to Fire Station 2, which houses a fire engine, ladder truck and an ambulance, where he worked as the engine company captain.

During his career, Brother Carnevale served as an Executive Board Trustee and Shift Vice President for IAFF Local 689. He organized department-wide participation in the California Professional Firefighter's Exposure Reporting Program within the Alameda Fire Department and also was a member of the Fire Labor Management Team.

Brother Carnevale was surrounded by family at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife of fifteen years, Liz, his 8 year old son, and many family and friends.

Memorial Information

When: Friday, January 14th, 2011, 11:00 a.m.

Where: USS Hornet, 707 W Hornet Avenue; Alameda, CA 94501

Attire: Class A Uniforms

Apparatus and Procession Information

Apparatus will stage on Harbor Bay Parkway at 9:30 a.m.

All those planning to take part in the apparatus procession should RSVP to Jim Colburn at secretary689@gmail.com.

Honor Guard Information

There will be an honor guard practice on Friday, January 14th at 8 a.m. preceeding the memorial ceremony. Those honor guards planning to participate in the ceremony are asked to attend this practice and RSVP to Ruben at ruben_c71@sbcglobal.net.

Donations

In lieu of flowers, food and other gifts, the family has requested a donation be made in Scott's name to the Scott Carnevale Memorial Fund for cancer research.

By check:

Scott Carnevale Memorial Fund; Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 18 Miller Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941

By Paypal (www.paypal.com):

If you have a PayPal account, log in and click the "Send Money" tab. Enter this email address: ScottCarnevaleMemorialFund@gmail.com. Enter your donation and click continue to send a message to the family with your donation.

Please check back frequently for updates: California Fire Foundation - LODD: Alameda City Fire Captain Scott Carnevale:

NTSB SAFETY: General Aviation Aircraft Inspect #ELT mountings

#NTSB ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS DEALING WITH EMERGENCY LOCATOR TRANSMITTERS IN GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT FOLLOWING CRASH INVOLVING SENATOR STEVENS

National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 5, 2011


Washington, DC - The National Transportation Safety Board today issued two safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration requiring a detailed inspection of all emergency locator transmitters (ELT) installed on general aviation aircraft to ensure that their mountings maintain their retention capabilities during an accident sequence.

An ELT is designed to broadcast a signal through an externally mounted antenna that contains the aircraft's
registration information and the global positioning system coordinates of the original signal. Also, the "homing
signal" can be detected locally by other aircraft, air-traffic control facilities, or rescue personnel who use a
compatible receiver.

"In this case, the airplane was equipped with a functioning 406 megahertz ELT, which can be a tremendous aid to search and rescue operations," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "But this vital life-saving technology won't do anyone any good if it doesn't stay connected to the antenna."

On August 9, 2010, a de Havilland turbine Otter airplane crashed in mountainous tree-covered terrain approximately 10 miles from Aleknagik, Alaska. Nearly five hours after the crash, volunteer airborne search personnel located the aircraft approximately 19 miles from where the flight originated. The pilot and four passengers, including former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, sustained fatal injuries. The other four passengers were seriously injured.


Aircraft involved in the search and rescue efforts and satellites did not detect any ELT signals. Following the
discovery of the airplane, a pararescuer found the ELT loose on the floor of the airplane. The ELT had activated but had separated from its mounting bracket and antenna.

To view the recommendation letters, click on: http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/letters/2010/A-10-169-170.pdf.
#NTSB Media Contact: Terry N. Williams
(202) 314-6100
williat@ntsb.gov

World Fire News: Israel - Carmel forest fire memorial turns ugly

Netanyahu heckled by angry mourners at Carmel fire memorial, Yishai hounded out

Those present at the state ceremony honoring the 44 people killed in Israel's largest-ever wildfire let President Shimon Peres address the audience, but began heckling the premier as he took his turn at the podium.

By Haaretz Service and Barak Ravid

Relatives and friends of those killed in the devastating Carmel fire last month refused to let Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak on Wednesday as he stood at the podium of the official state memorial ceremony to deliver a eulogy to the victims.
Those present at the ceremony mourning the 44 people killed in Israel's largest-ever wildfire let President Shimon Peres address the audience, but began heckling the premier and calling him a "liar" as he took his turn on the stage.

Bodyguards sheltered Netanyahu
Photo by: Channel 2

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being heckled by mourners at the Carmel fire memorial on January 5, 2011/
 Bodyguards briefly sheltered Netanyahu as a few dozen hecklers surged toward him and others stormed out of the event at Beit Oren, a kibbutz at the epicenter of last month's Carmel forest blaze in which the victims, mostly rescue personnel, died. Interior Minister Eli Yishai left the memorial soon after Danny Rosen, the partner of fallen Haifa Police Chief Ahuva Tomer, stood and told Netanyahu that he would not remain at the ceremony unless Yishai stepped out.
In an attempt to calm the atmosphere as the chaos continued, Netanyahu told Rosen: "My heart is with you. I know your pain". But relatives of other victims joined Rosen's demand for Yishai to leave, and eventually Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar stepped on the stage and said that the interior minister had left.
Netanyahu was unable to begin his address for a number of minutes, and stood surrounded on all sides by tight security. Even after he finally began to speak, the angry relatives continued to interrupt him, shouting that he was to blame for the fire that took their loved ones' lives.

Photo by: Channel 2

Relatives of Carmel fire victims heckle Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the state memorial on January 5, 2011
Prior to that unexpected incident, Peres was able to deliver his own eulogy to the victims, telling the mourners: "Forty-four pure souls fell during the heavy offensive against this fire… and we so wanted it to end differently."
"The fire that did not rest for a moment turned dozens of our families into bereaved, grieving, pained families," said Peres. "No tribute and no memorial ceremony will ever return to their loved ones."
"Today, as we conclude the 30 days of mourning, stands a shocked nation, one unprepared for such a tragedy. This is the truth, even if it is painful and stings. We were not prepared for the presence of such a big fire. We did not imagine it could happen."
Some relatives have demanded that the state investigate Netanyahu, Yishai, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak in particular over negligence during the fire, saying the discussion regarding their conduct does not belong in court but rather in the public domain.
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein said however, that he did not believe that there was a legal basis that justifies a criminal investigation into the matter. Headded that the discussion regarding the failures to control the fire due to lacking resources could be dealt with in the Knesset, in a parliamentary inquiry committee or a governmental investigation committee, and not in a court of law.
Weinstein added that State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss was examining the various aspects of the disaster and if he found reason to suspect any criminal action in case, he would transfer the information to him for further examination.
The State Control Committee last month decided not to set up an investigation commission to probe deficiencies in the fire services during the massive blaze.
However, the committee's opposition members called for a re-vote at a later date and the committee unanimously issued a call to State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss to probe the events.
Such a commission would have been charged with dealing with the state comptroller's report released last week about problems with the fire services before the fire, rather than the deficiencies manifested during the Carmel disaster.
Following the ceremony, the Prime Minister's Bureau issued a statement explaining that it had been "important" to Netanyahu to address the bereaved families. "He knows their pain and their loss, and all of this began of his desire to hold a state memorial ceremony.
The Prime Minister's Bureau added that Netanyahu would continue to work determinedly to improve Israel's emergency services.
 Source article: Link

New Laws: Residential dwellings required to have fire sprinklers installed.

#Video #OCFA - Marble Mountain Side By Side Demonstration

New In-Home Fire Sprinkler Rule Comes to Elk Grove Fire officials say regulation will boost safety despite cost concerns

By Karen Wilkinson
When firefighters responded to a garage fire caused by a deep fryer in Galt earlier this month, sprinklers had doused the flames, no one was hurt and there was minimal damage.

While such scenes aren't always typical, according to Cosumnes Fire Department officials, they may soon become more common due to new fire sprinkler regulations taking effect Jan. 1.

Starting next year, all new residential dwellings in Elk Grove and the state of California will be required to have fire sprinklers installed. Attached buildings like garages are also included in the new rules, which affect single-family and two-family houses and townhouses.

California is the third state to adopt the code, which has sparked controversy because it imposes increased costs on builders and homeowners at a time when the construction industry is already hurting.

The National Association of Home Builders in a policy statement opposes mandatory sprinklers, citing their "high cost and unsubstantiated need," and developer lobbying has helped stall passage of similar requirements in other states.

But local firefighters and building officials said the new policy's safety benefits far outweigh its potential costs.

"Sprinklers are like living with a firefighter 24/7," said Cosumnes Fire Department marshal George Apple. "It doesn't eliminate the need for us, but sprinklers allow people to get out safely."

Apple said the average fire survival rate is 80 percent when a home uses a combination of fire sprinklers and smoke detectors, compared with 50 percent for smoke detectors alone. Sprinklers keep temperatures from rising as much as they would without the safety measure, and keep smoke levels down, Apple said -- differences that can be a matter of life and death. 

While Hollywood movies often show sprinklers activating en masse and flooding homes and businesses, in most cases, only those nearest the flames will go off, Apple said. Unlike smoke detectors, the sprinklers are not susceptible to false alarms, he said.

A Youtube video created by the Orange County Fire Department simulates the effects of a fire in two identical apartments -- one with sprinklers, one without. The room without sprinklers is engulfed in flames and destroyed, while in the other, sprinkles extinguish the fire within minutes, with minimal damage.

Though the Elk Grove City Council heard no official opposition when it formally adopted the state code in October, chief building official Rick Renfro said the rule will likely increase costs for plumbers, who will have to obtain a special license from the state to install home fire sprinklers, on top of their plumber's license.

Renfro said he anticipates a last-minute rush of single-family dwelling permit applications before Dec. 31 -- the deadline to apply and build under 2010 codes.

"It's hard because there are dollars tied to it, but it's pretty much going to take care of 90 to 95 percent of fires if installed properly," Renfro said. "The builders have accepted the fact that it's reality and not going to change." 

Apple said the cost to install the sprinklers -- roughly $1.50 per square foot, or $3,000 for a 2,000 square-foot home -- can seem pricey, but will be balanced by savings in homeowners' insurance and damages.

Two years ago, around Christmas-time in Wilton, an unattended candle burned through the plastic table it had been sitting on, Apple said. The homeowner had a live tree, with gifts beneath and other holiday decorations in the room. She also had fire sprinklers, which activated and left the holiday décor undamaged.

"Without sprinklers, the house would have been a complete loss," Apple said.

Source: Article http://elkgrove.patch.com Link

NTSB: URGENT SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS / SAN BRUNO EXPLOSION

 #NTSB ADVISORY 

 NTSB ISSUES URGENT SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS AS A RESULT OF PRELIMINARY FINDINGS IN SAN BRUNO PIPELINE RUPTURE INVESTIGATION; HEARING SCHEDULED FOR MARCH
January 3, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The National Transportation Safety Board today issued seven
safety recommendations, six of them classified as “Urgent,” as a result of its investigation into the pipeline rupture and explosion that killed eight people and destroyed 37 homes in San Bruno, Calif., on September 9, 2010.

The recommendations were issued to address record-keeping problems that could create conditions in which a pipeline is operated at a higher pressure than the pipe was built to withstand, although it is not known at this time if that is what happened in the San Bruno accident.

The urgent recommendations call on pipeline operators and regulators to ensure that the records, surveys, and documents for all pipeline systems accurately reflect the pipeline infrastructure as built throughout the United States so that maximum safe operating pressures are accurately calculated.

As detailed in an investigative update the NTSB issued on December 14, 2010, investigators found that although the records of the pipeline operator, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), indicated that the pipeline in the area of the rupture was constructed of seamless pipe, it was instead, at least in part, constructed of longitudinal seam-welded pipe. In addition, some of the seams of this section of pipeline were welded from both the inside and the outside of the pipe, while others were welded only from the outside.

The NTSB is concerned that the seam-welded sections may not be as strong as the seamless pipe that was indicated in PG&E’s records. Because it is critical to consider all of the characteristics of a pipeline in order to establish a safe maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP), the NTSB believes that these inaccurate records may lead to potentially unsafe MAOPs.

To address this issue, the NTSB issued three safety recommendations, two of which were classified as urgent, to PG&E asking the utility operator to do the following:

1.   Conduct an intensive records search to identify all the gas transmission lines that had not previously undergone a testing regimen designed to validate a safe operating pressure (urgent recommendation).
2.   Determine the maximum operating pressure based on the weakest section of pipeline or component identified in the records search referenced above (urgent recommendation).
3.  If unable to validate a safe operating pressure through the methods described above, determine a safe operating pressure by a specified testing regimen.

The NTSB is also concerned that other pipeline operators may have discrepancies in their records that could potentially compromise the safe operation of pipelines throughout the United States. Because of this, the NTSB has made an urgent recommendation to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to expeditiously inform the pipeline industry of the circumstances of the San Bruno accident and investigative findings so that pipeline operators can proactively implement any corrective measures for their respective pipeline systems.

“While it may seem like a small paperwork error, if companies are basing operating pressures on inadequate or erroneous information contained in their records, safety may be compromised,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.“We believe this safety-critical issue needs to be examined carefully to ensure that operators are accurately gauging their risk and that pipelines are being operated at pressures no higher than that for which they were built to withstand.”

The NTSB also directed three of the urgent recommendations to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates PG&E’s pipeline operations as well as all intrastate pipeline operations within California.

• CPUC was asked to ensure that PG&E “aggressively and diligently” search documents and records to determine which pipeline segments had not previously gone through a testing regimen to determine a safe operating pressure and to provide oversight of any testing conducted by PG&E if the document and records search cannot be satisfactorily completed.
• CPUC was also asked to immediately inform California intrastate natural gas transmission operators of the circumstances of the San Bruno accident so these operators can likewise proactively implement any corrective measures for their pipeline systems.
• Additionally, the five Members of the NTSB voted to hold a fact-finding hearing as part of the investigative process. “This accident has exposed issues that merit further attention and have implications for the pipeline infrastructure throughout the country,” said Chairman Hersman. “The hearing will gather additional factual information for the investigation, and will also provide the pipeline industry, state and federal regulators, and our citizens with an opportunity to hear more about this accident and important safety issues as the investigation progresses.”

The two-day en banc hearing, which will be chaired by NTSB Chairman Hersman and webcast at www.ntsb.gov, will be held on March 1-2, 2011, at the NTSB's Board Room and Conference
Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. The hearing is open for public observation and free to attend; no registration is required. The agenda, including a list of technical witnesses called to testify, will be publicized several weeks prior to the proceedings.

SAFETY RECOMMENDATION LETTERS TO:
Pacific Gas and Electric Company:http://go.usa.gov/rWz
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration: http://go.usa.gov/rWJ
California Public Utilities Commission: http://go.usa.gov/rWS
RELATED INFORMATION:
NTSB 01-03-2011 Press Advisory: http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2011/110103.html

Investigative Update issued on 12/14/10: http://go.usa.gov/rWj
Preliminary Report issued on 10/13/2010: http://go.usa.gov/rWD
Launch of investigation: http://go.usa.gov/rWW

LACFD: 2 Dead 81 & 63 yr. old women, due to Carbon Monoxide.

Tragic deaths: 81 & 63 yr. old women, due to Carbon Monoxide. Willowbrook. Even when cold, never heat home with Gas Oven.

Two women tragically lost their lives in Willowbrook when they apparently used their kitchen oven to provide heat inside their home. They were found Saturday at about 4:30PM. Preliminarily, Carbon monoxide fumes from the oven are believed to have resulted in their deaths.

At 4:30 PM, 01/01/10, deputies from Century Sheriff's Station responded to a rescue call in the 2200 block of El Segundo Boulevard, Willowbrook.

When they arrived, they were met by a family member who told them that after not receiving a response to phone calls, she drove there in order to check on the 63-year old woman and her 81 year-old mother. The family member said she went inside the residence and immediately smelled a strong odor of gas. She found the oven to be turned on and closed the oven door before quickly exiting the residence. She then called Century Sheriff's Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for emergency help.

Hearing the family member's concerns and observations, deputies quickly entered the residence and found the two victims apparently deceased.

Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters also responded and detected extremely high levels of carbon monoxide within the residence. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide investigators responded to the residence to conduct their investigation. Century Sheriff's Station on-call clergy personnel were also summoned to the scene and assisted deputies with grieving family members.

Preliminarily, it appears as though the victims had opened the oven door and turned the oven on in order to heat their residence.

What is Carbon Monoxide: Co2 is clear, odorless and colorless. The Los Angeles County Fire Department and experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise against ever using a gas range, gas stove, kerosene/ propane space heater, or charcoal grill to heat your home or apartment. Carbon Monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of the fossil fuels - gas, oil, coal and wood used in boilers, engines, oil burners, gas fires, water heaters, solid fuel appliances and open fires.

Carbon Monoxide Safety: Follow these safety tips from Los Angeles County Fire Department to prevent injuries and deaths related to heating your home.

• Install Smoke alarm near bedrooms and on each floor of your home.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends carbon monoxide alarm system to be included near bedrooms and on each floor of your home.
• Make sure heating equipment is installed properly. Have a trained specialist or your local Gas Company inspector inspect and tune up your heating system each year.
• Keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including bedding, furniture, and clothing.
• Always use a space heater that is equipped with an automatic shut-off when tipped over.
• Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
• Have your fireplace chimney and flue inspected each year and cleaned if needed.
• Never use your range or oven to heat your home, even for a short time.

More Carbon Monoxide Information:
  VIDEO and Written Explanation from the Los Angeles County Fire Department - http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/safetypreparedness/SafetyPrep_CarbonMonoxide.asp#
Keeping Your Home Safe & Warm: VIDEO and Written Explanation from the Los Angeles County Fire Department http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/safetypreparedness/SafetyPrep_homeheating.asp
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Fact Sheet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm

CA DMV News: New 2011 Laws affect #Firefighters, #Motorcycles, #DUI

California DMV Announces New 2011 Laws

 New #DMV Laws effective in January:

• New Firefighter Endorsement (AB 1648/Jeffries) In an effort to simplify the proper licensing of firefighters while continuing to ensure public safety, this law exempts operators of firefighting vehicles from the Commercial Driver License program and creates a new license endorsement process.
• Motorcycle Safety Course Required for Under-21 instruction permit applicants
• A required motorcycle safety course for under-21 motorcycle permit applicants, new oversight of online traffic violator schools, and extensions of HOV lane stickers are among several new laws of interest to California motorists that will take effect Jan. 2, 2011, the Department of Motor Vehicles announced today.
• Following are capsule summaries of the new laws:
• Motorcycle Instruction Permit (AB 1952/Niello) This new law requires a person under 21 years of age to complete an approved motorcycle safety course before being issued an instruction permit with which to practice operating a motorcycle, and requires the permit to be held for six months before being issued a class M motorcycle driver license. There are currently more than 6,000 drivers 19 years and younger who are licensed to ride a motorcycle in California.
• Traffic Violator School Program (AB 2499/Portantino) Prior to this new law which starts January 1, the DMV only licensed and regulated "brick and mortar" classroom traffic violator schools. This new law will bring court-approved courses, such as online and home study traffic schools into the DMV Traffic Violator School licensing program and implements a number of recommendations included in a DMV study of traffic violator school issues. This law will have a 3-year implementation process.
• High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes (SB 535/Yee) Prior law that permitted certain fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles to display stickers allowing them to be operated in HOV lanes with a single occupant was to expire on January 1, 2011. The new law extends the "sunset" date for the yellow stickers for hybrid vehicles until July 1, 2011; the white stickers issued to fully-electric and compressed natural gas vehicles until January 1, 2015; and creates a third sticker, for plug-in hybrid vehicles, to be issued and valid from January 1, 2012 until January 1, 2015.

New Laws Starting on July 1 and Beyond

• Organ Donation (SB 1395/Alquist) Starting July 1, the language on the DMV's application for a driver license will include a "no" option relative to an applicant's willingness to register as a prospective organ donor to increase the number of enrollees in the organ donor program. This change will now require the organ donor registration field of the application to be answered with either a yes or no response.
• Local Traffic Ordinances (SB 949/Oropeza) On July 1, in an effort of ensuring that traffic convictions are recorded by the Department of Motor Vehicles, local authorities may not enact or enforce a local ordinance on any matter covered by the California Vehicle Code.
• Driving Under the Influence (AB 1601/Hill) Effective in January 1, 2012, this bill authorizes a court to order a 10-year revocation of the driver license of a person convicted of a third or subsequent DUI violation, with possible reinstatement after five years if specified conditions are met

Don’t Stand In Line, Go Online! Doing business with the DMV has never been easier. The DMV offers an array of services to customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through its Web site (www.dmv.ca.gov), including online appointments for written and drive tests; vehicle registration and driver license renewals, selection of personalized license plates, changes of address and payment of fees via secure debit transactions. Customers can also effect transactions by calling DMV customer service at (800) 777-0133.

Santa Cruz: Missing at Midnight - 15-year-old Los Banos girl #Found

Update: #Joy Santa Cruz Police located missing Priscilla Maldonado around 12:30

Her dog has not yet been located, last seen in the beach area at 5 am: The dog is a white and grey Terrier wearing a red sweater and weighs about 20 lbs.

A 15-year-old Los Banos girl is missing after attending a New Year's Eve celebration at the Clocktower in Santa Cruz on Friday night, Santa Cruz Police reported Saturday.

Priscilla Maldonado

Updates: SCPD Nixle: https://local.nixle.com/alert/4484222/?sub_id=253435

#Joy around 12:30- Santa Cruz Police located missing Priscilla Maldonado, Her dog has not yet been located, last  seen in the beach area at 5 am: The dog is a white and grey Terrier  wearing a red sweater and weighs about 20 lbs.1145- Still missing
0600- Officers spotted the dog without Priscilla in the beach area around 5 a.m. Saturday. The dog is a white and grey terrier wearing a red sweater. The dog weighs about 20 pounds.

Who: Priscilla Maldonado, Priscilla is 5 feet tall and weighs about 100 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, a silver shirt and black jeans. She does not have a history of running away.

Where: was with her family Friday night at the Clocktower in downtown Santa Cruz. When the fireworks started at midnight, the family's dog took off running down Water Street toward the courthouse. Priscilla chased after the dog.
Priscilla has not been seen or heard from since about midnight. She is not familiar with the Santa Cruz.

What: "We have a team of investigators in searching the parks, levies, beaches," said Capt. Steve Clark on Saturday morning.
Her parents did not return home, Clark said, and they are still in Santa Cruz.
"They're with one of the investigators over at Kinko's making fliers to distribute," he said.

Priscilla Maldonado Missing Poster

The fliers are being distributed on major thoroughfares he said including Mission, Ocean and Water streets. He also said officers were checking all businesses that operate 24 hours where she may have sought shelter from the rain.

If anyone has seen Priscilla, the Santa Cruz Police ask residents to call 9-1-1.