Author: Bryan May

Cal OES Seeks Requests for over $15.5M in Various Victim/Advocacy Programs

Jul 17, 2017 3:52 pm

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is pleased to announce the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Victim Legal Assistance (KL) Program, the Victim Advocacy in Detention Facilities (KA) Program as well as the Tribal Court Advocate (KT) Program.  

The purpose of the Victim Legal Assistance (KL) Program is to provide holistic civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth victims of crime who are seeking relief in legal matters related to that crime, at no cost to the victim. The KL Program is an expansion of our Victim Legal Assistance (XL) Program launched last spring. Due to the large response received by that RFP and because victim legal assistance has been specifically identified as a priority by the VOCA Steering Committee, the KL Program was established to … continue reading »

Tags: , , , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

5 Ways To Spare The Air (And Save Gas)

Jul 10, 2017 4:39 pm

The sweltering Summer California heat brings with it dangers in many forms, including poor air quality that can be hazardous to certain groups and a health risk to all.

During Spare The Air season, which runs from May 1 until October 31,  California residents are encouraged to be extra aware of air pollution levels.  A Spare The Air alert will be issued when the air pollution level is forecast to meet or exceed 126 on the Air Quality Index.  When a Spare The Air alert is called, you are asked to change your routine as much as possible to help reduce air pollution.  One of the best ways to help is to try and reduce your driving, which lowers emissions and protects the health of everyone in the community.  Here are five ways you can … continue reading »

Tags: , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

Lifeguards: “Honestly, it’s Okay To Talk To Us”

Jul 5, 2017 4:54 pm

Chance Pardon loves his Summer job as a lifeguard in Los Angeles County.  He considers his outgoing personality a key part of his job.

“We’re friendly people.  We like to talk to our guests,” Pardon said.  “We’re up in our tiny box sometimes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come up and ask us about the conditions of the day.”

Talking to a lifeguard before getting in the ocean can be a valuable tool for beachgoers.

“Check in with the lifeguard,” advises Los Angeles Country Fire Department Lifeguard spokesperson Lidia Barillas.  “We’ll be happy to point out the current conditions and hazards that are going on that day for that area.”

An estimated 150 million people visit California beaches each year.

“Obviously we can’t have long, drawn out conversations but we are very happy to go over conditions and hazards and … continue reading »

Tags: , , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

The Number Of Dead Trees In California Will Shock You

Jun 26, 2017 4:48 pm

California is now home to an estimated 102 million dead trees, a number shocking to even the most trained eyes.

“We’ve never experienced anything like this in California,” said Jeffrey Moore, an 18 year veteran of the US Forest Service.

“I never thought there would be a drought to this extent,”  Moore said.  “This drought has really pushed them over the edge and now the bark beetle population is taking advantage of trees that have been weakened by these multiple years of drought and just finishing them off.”

Moore and his team from the US Forest Service are spending the Summer crisscrossing the state doing tree mortality surveys from the air.  What they are seeing is large areas where dead trees outnumber live ones.

“Probably 70 to 80 percent of the whole mortality situation last year was mapped in … continue reading »

Tags: , , , , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

How And When To Use A Fire Extinguisher

Jun 8, 2017 8:58 am

Most fires start small.  If the fire is contained to a single object, such as a trash can, you may want to try using a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.  Realizing you only have a few seconds before the fire will triple in size, deciding on when and how to use your fire extinguisher is critical.

You should only consider using a fire extinguisher if all members of your home have been alerted to the fire.  Make sure you are safe from smoke and that the fire is not between you and your only escape route.

When it comes to purchasing a fire extinguisher, look for one that is tested by an independent testing laboratory.  Also, look for one labeled A-B-C as it can be used on most fires that would occur in your home. … continue reading »

Tags:
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

Meet California’s Baaaaa-dest Fire Prevention Strike Team

May 22, 2017 5:28 pm

As a group of about 600 moved through the outskirts of a Yolo County neighborhood, several neighbors stopped to watch.  The group was there to work.  Their work is eating grass and weeds that could become fuel for fires this Summer.

“We’re at about 1,200 head of goats, total,” said Tim Arrowsmith, who owns Blue Tent Farms out of Red Bluff.

Arrowsmith brings his herds of goats wherever needed.  The goats can easily eat down vegetation and weeds in areas that would be hard for city and fire workers to get to.

“If you look at the terrain, you can see that it’s fairly steep and difficult to maneuver.   Bringing in staff with weed eaters would take a lot more time.  It’d be more costly,” said Bryan Jonson, Fire Marshal for the City of West Sacramento.

“This is … continue reading »

Tags: , , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

Wildfire Awareness Week Kicks Off In California

May 8, 2017 4:54 pm

Each year California highlights the importance of wildfire prevention and preparedness by declaring a week in May as “Wildfire Awareness Week.”  On Monday, May 8th, several agencies came together to kick off Wildfire Awareness Week with a joint press conference and to remind California residents of the dangers posed by wildfires.

“We are all in this together,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of California’s Office Of Emergency Services.

“We want to make certain that the resources get to the right place, the right kind of resources are getting to the right place and that we do as much as we can to protect lives and property through these types of events,” Ghilarducci said.

Despite record amounts of rain this winter, California has already experienced about 500 fires this year.  With an estimated 100 million trees killed as a result of … continue reading »

Tags: , ,
No Comments | Join the Conversation!

Subscribe to Cal OES

Stay connected with the Cal OES Newsroom!