Healthy and Safe Swimming: We’re in it Together

Summer is the time for water sports and recreation!

There's nothing better than jumping into the water on a hot day. *SPLASH!* Pools, water parks, lakes, streams, and hot tubs draw people to cool off, exercise, and enjoy times with friends and families, but manmade and natural bodies of water can also be a source of water illnesses including norovirus, E. coli, giardia, shigella, and cryptosporidium.

As part of the 2014 campaign against Recreational Water Illnessess (RWIs), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put together a fact sheet about them and how to reduce your risk. Check it out -

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides additional facts about RWIs on their site (http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/index.html), and you can always check with your health department (mtyhd.org) for more local information.

Thanks to the CDC for the content used in this post.

6.8 Japan earthquake - No tsunami danger

Refer to the information statement from the National Tsunami Warning Center below:

PUBLIC TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT NUMBER 1 

 NWS NATIONAL TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER PALMER AK 1231 PM PDT FRI JUL 11 2014

THIS IS A TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT FOR ALASKA/ BRITISH COLUMBIA/ WASHINGTON/ OREGON AND CALIFORNIA... 

 EVALUATION ----------

* THERE IS NO TSUNAMI DANGER FOR THE AREAS LISTED ABOVE. 
* THIS EVALUATION IS BASED ON EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION AND HISTORIC TSUNAMI RECORDS. 

* AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH PARAMETERS LISTED BELOW. PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS --------------------------------- 

 * MAGNITUDE 6.8
 * ORIGIN TIME 1122 AKDT JUL 11 2014 1222 PDT JUL 11 2014 1922 UTC JUL 11 2014
 * COORDINATES 37.0 NORTH 142.6 EAST
 * DEPTH 6 MILES
 * LOCATION OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU JAPAN

NEXT UPDATE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -------------------------------------- 

 * THIS WILL BE THE ONLY U.S. NATIONAL TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER MESSAGE FOR THIS EVENT UNLESS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.
 * REFER TO THE INTERNET SITE NTWC.ARH.NOAA.GOV FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
 * PACIFIC COASTAL REGIONS OUTSIDE CALIFORNIA... OREGON... WASHINGTON... BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA SHOULD REFER TO THE PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER MESSAGES AT PTWC.WEATHER.GOV.

Be "Fire-Ready" this summer!

Interlake Fire - Update

As of 4:12 this afternoon, Cal FIRE reports that the Interlake Fire is 100% contained and all evacuation orders have been lifted.

Good work!

Wildfire - Southern Monterey County

Cal FIRE reports 200 acre fire in southern Monterey County, near the intersection of Interlake Rd and Bryson Hesperia Rd.

Evacuations for nearby ranches have occurred. Multiple fire resources en route.

Updates to follow.

Monterey County Operational Area FY/2014 Homeland Security Proposals Vetted




The Monterey County Grant Approval Authority

Background on the GAA

In 2003, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security mandated that if a County (AKA an Operational Area) decided to apply for a Homeland Security Grant, the Operational Area must appoint an Anti-Terrorism Approval Body (to be known hereafter as the Grant Approval Authority (GAA)).

This Approval Authority has the final determination on the Operational Area (OA) allocation of grant funds for this program. The Monterey County Office of Emergency Services (the brokers of the grant funds) brought this program before the Board of Supervisors on behalf of our stakeholders and has been participating in the Homeland Security Program for the past twelve years.

The Approval Authority consists of the following members:

County Public Health Officer - Monterey County Health Director Ray Bullick
County Fire Chief or Chief of Fire Authority - North County Fire Chief Chris Orman
Municipal Fire Chief – Salinas Fire Chief Edmond A. Rodriguez
County Sheriff - Monterey County Sheriff Scott Miller
Chief of Police - Marina Police Chief Edmundo Rodriguez 

Information on the grant: The State Homeland Security Grant Program

The State Homeland Security Grant Program supports the implementation of the State Homeland Security Strategy to address the identified planning, equipment, training and exercise needs for acts of terrorism and supports the implementation of the National Preparedness System: the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS). All 50 states in the US can apply to FEMA each year on behalf of the counties within their state for this program.

For the past three years, the GAA has focused on maintaining the primary goals and objectives set forth for the Operational Area: Training and Exercise, sustainability among the specialized teams, maintenance agreements, service agreements, user fees, and replacement of equipment that has expired or has become obsolete in technology.

2014 Proposals

For FY/2014, the GAA received a total of thirteen proposals that totaled $946,014, but only was allotted $507,202 in grant funds.

The GAA had a tough task before them and needed to make decisions on which proposals would be funded and which proposal(s) will be placed on the “below the line list”.

On May 28th, all thirteen applicants had 5-7 minutes to present their grant proposal and convince the GAA on why it should be funded. (All thirteen proposals were evaluated and screened by the OES Grant Administrator in order to make the final phase of the grant process). The final phase was the proposal presentation to the GAA.

The proposals funded for FY/2014 were the following: 

1. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) - Upgrade/Sustainment Equipment for a total of $32,600
Four Gas Monitors for a Confined Rescue Space or collapsed building response for victims trapped during a disaster and two Seismic/Acoustic Listening Devices along with replacement wear and items needed for deployment. The two listening devices are an upgrade to an outdated camera. The new listening device will allow this specialized team to locate and communicate with victims trapped in inaccessible areas.

The three USAR teams started in 2004 with federal funding. These USAR Teams are from Monterey County Regional Fire, North County Fire, and Monterey Fire. These regional teams have been involved with multiple regional exercises, which include the yearly Urban Shield Exercise. Since 2004 this team has balanced their awarded funds evenly on equipment, sustainment costs, and exercises.

2. Salinas Police Security Gate

Their proposal met all the criteria, but was added to below the line list (not funded).

3. Salinas Police Department S.W.A.T. Tactical Bullet Proof Vests 17 vest total $40,520

Upgrade from older, heavier vests with minimum protection to newer vests. The newer vest has added superior protection, including versatile ballistic protection for the shoulder, neck, bicep, and groin.

4. Salinas Police Department S.W.A.T –The AVATAR Security Robot total $27,955

 The device is considered an upgrade to the existing rolling camera they use now that has very limited ability during a mission. The AVATAR III remote robot has a customized platform, can pass vertical barriers greater than 10” in height, and will allow the team to safely inspect dangerous situations without putting anyone in harm’s way.

5. Sheriff Search and Rescue Cache Equipment total $13,732

Replacement items to sustain the team with such things as ropes, pulleys, carabiners, fire/rescue tools, spools, and small hardware. These are used to sustain the team for deployment within Monterey County and within the region.

6. Sheriff Bomb Squad Sustainment Equipment total $25,000

This consists of bomb robot batteries, shock tubes etc. This Bomb Squad handles all bomb calls in Monterey County and San Benito County. This team trains twice a month, and has an average of 50 calls a year.

7. Interoperability Committee-Mobile Communications Task Force Equipment total $38,400

Communications equipment for deployment during a disaster such as satellite radios, cellular extenders, radio routers and a maintenance kit. This Task Force is the team that deploys when the Incident Command (during a disaster or a major incident) requests communication coverage due to complexity of the event. The team’s function is to provide voice and data communications along with mesh networks in all areas for public safety


8. Hazardous Material Team- Rapid Deployment Detector Kit-Total $82,976

This monitor can wirelessly monitor toxic chemical levels at the point of toxin release and at locations remote from the leak. The Monterey County Operational Hazardous Material Team is made up of the Salinas Fire Department, Seaside Fire, and the Monterey County Environmental Department. With Salinas Fire taking the lead, this team has advanced from a Type 3 team to an elite Type 2 team. This team covers incidents regardless of whether it has rural or city area jurisdictional boundaries, and will soon be covering the San Benito County area because they do not have a HazMat team.

 9. Salinas Fire-Mobile Command Unit Sustainment Cost total $15,350

To maintain the services for data and voice networks. This communications unit is a great asset to all public safety agencies. They serve as a mobile 9-1-1 center back up, a mobile EOC, and a C.O.W. Unit (Communications on Wheels) during major events and can be deployed to anywhere in Cal OES Region 2.


10. Three--Law Proposals for the Monterey Peninsula Special Response Team

Project 1- $44,000-Ballistic helmets
Project 2- $17,000 Voice, data and Satellite equipment for the existing unit that was purchased in a previous grant
Project 3- An Armored Bearcat Vehicle - $265,000. 

Projects 1 and 2 were funded. Project 3 was placed on the Below the Line list. The ballistic helmets were to replace an older version and are considered an upgrade. The communications equipment was necessary in order to communicate among the teams during an incident.

11. Monterey County Training and Exercise Committee total $144,395

This committee represents all the specialized teams such as the HazMat team, Bomb Squad, Urban Search and Rescue, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, all three S.W.A.T teams, Monterey Fire Boat team, the Sheriff’s Dive team, Mobile Field Force, and the Communications section, etc. This committee meets monthly and decides what training is needed in order to stay in compliance and oversee the re-certification needs. This sub-committee was created and empowered by the Grant Approval Authority. Training and Exercise is crucial in order to maintain specialized teams, and continuous training is needed in order to be deployment ready during a disaster.

The GAA made their decisions based on need, the guidelines of this year’s grant, and what’s in the best interest of the Operational Area, the entire Region, the State, and to better protect our community.

 From the perspective of the Office of Emergency Services, we say WELL DONE Grant Approval Authority, and thank you for helping to make our community a safer, more prepared place to work and live.


For more information, see our Grants page at http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/oes/homeland-sec.asp


Thank you to Bertha Simpson, Monterey County OES Planner/Grant Administrator, for the content of this post.

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

The 4th of July holiday is traditionally filled with events, celebrations and, of course, fireworks.

While fireworks can be the highlight of the Independence Day holiday, it’s critical that everyone know fireworks safety information to avoid injuries or running afoul of the law.

 “Fireworks can be the best part of a Fourth of July celebration for kids, yet each year hundreds of kids are permanently disfigured or worse due to burns caused by fireworks that ended up in the wrong hands, ” says Dave Crozier, Safe Kids Monterey County Coordinator and Sheriff’s Department Crime Prevention Specialist. “The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch them at a community celebration where professionals handle them.”

Here are a few things everyone should know about fireworks:

·         Sparklers are not legal in California! They are magnesium on a metal rod and have been illegal for 10 years. While often considered safe, sparklers join firecrackers and rockets as those causing the bulk of emergency room-treated injuries.

·         In California, there must be a state fire marshal seal on all safe and sane fireworks.

            Simple possession of dangerous fireworks can cost a $500-$1,000 penalty plus one year in jail. Here are examples of fireworks that are not legal and should be avoided:

o   fireworks containing more than 50 milligrams of powder

o   Cherry bombs

o   M-80 salutes

o   Large reloadable shells

o   Aerial bombs

o   Firecrackers containing more than two grains of powder

The bottom line is to observe local laws and use good COMMON SENSE, like having a responsible person supervise all firework activities, not allowing young children to handle or use fireworks, and using fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area, AWAY from buildings, vehicles, and other people.

Fireworks are Fire Hazards!

So make sure that you always have water ready when you are shooting them, and soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor trash can.

Have a happy (and safe) 4^th of July weekend!

Thanks to the County of Monterey and the National Council on Fireworks Safety for content associated with this post.

Keep your pets safe this summer!

The Parked Car

Never leave pets or children in a parked car when potentially dangerous conditions are forecast- a parked car’s interior can reach over 120 degrees in less than 5 minutes, even with the window partially open, causing brain damage or death. This is important because conditions in our area change constantly, so a shady spot on a foggy day can quickly transition to direct, hot sunlight.

Did you know?.......

that it is actually illegal to leave a pet in an unattended motor vehicle under “circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.” according to  California Penal Code 597.7 (c) (1 – 5) which describes the rights of peace officers, humane officers, and animal control officers to break in and remove an animal from a motor vehicle in such situations.

Now, it is understood that it is not always feasible to have your pet with you all the time, even in such a pet-friendly area as Monterey County. An example could be taking them to the beach and then running a few quick errands. Always try to ask yourself - "Is there any way that I don't have to leave them in the car?" (ie eating outside) or "Is this stop absolutely necessary?" (or could it wait?). If you do have to leave them in the car for a short amount of time, please try to be aware of that fact and do everything that you can to limit the risks of a hot car.

Animals Outdoors

• Ensure that there is access to shelter and ample fresh drinking water from a tip-proof bowl. 
• Older and overweight pets (along with certain breeds) are more likely to overheat.
• Try to keep pets away from unfamiliar lawns, due to risks from pesticides and fertilizers
• Keep pets away from puddles of coolant. It attracts them because its sweet but very poisonous. 
•  Keep pets well groomed, but don’t shave them. 
• Try to exercise pets in the early morning or evening. 
• Asphalt, concrete, and truck beds can become very hot to the touch and paw pads can easily be burned on these surfaces. 

The best summer advice is - When in doubt, leave pets indoors.

Thank you to the SPCA for the content of this post.

Be sure to visit our Disaster Preparedness for Pets page for ways to make sure your pet is safe no matter the situation at hand.

And as always, call The SPCA for Monterey County at 831-373-2631 with any specific questions or concerns, or any situations that you may encounter concerning animals in our community