Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
March 28, 2014

Pat Bates's Picture

Welcome to this edition of the Fifth District Report, an electronic newsletter keeping you updated about the events taking place in Orange County and in the Fifth District. It is my hope that you find this distribution informative and I would encourage you to contact me regarding any thoughts, comments, or concerns you may have.

PatBates@ocgov.com


IN THIS ISSUE...

1. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

2. HEALTH HERALD

3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

4. SAFETY SENTRY

5. CRITTER CHRONICLES

6. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

7. NOTE FROM THE FIELD

8. LIBRARY LIBRETTO

9. RECORDER RECORD

10. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

11. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

12. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP


OUR STAFF...

Don Hughes:
Chief of Staff

Kristen Camuglia:
Deputy Chief of Staff

Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor

Erik Weigand:
Policy Advisor

Emily Osterberg:
Policy Advisor

Veronica Yniguez:
Policy Advisor

Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager

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Volume 8 Issue 12
BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

Ambulance Services RFP Policy Consideration

The Board considered policy options for the upcoming Basic Life Support (BLS) Emergency Ambulance Transport Request for Proposals (RFP).

Earlier this year, the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) determined Orange County Emergency Medical Services (OCEMS) is now required to conduct the RFP process for contracts beginning September 1, 2014. Previously, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) handled the procurement process.

The current contracts for BLS Emergency Ambulance Transport services expire August 31, 2014.

Since the beginning of March, OCEMS has conducted public meetings to discuss the ALS charge and engage the public and stakeholders in this process.

As part of the County now being required to execute the Ambulance RFP process, the Board of Supervisors voted to continue to allow the contracted ambulance provider to issue one bill, inclusive of the Advanced Life Support (ALS) charge on behalf of OCFA. The ALS rate pays for an OCFA paramedic field assessment and ambulance escort. The Board voted 3-2 for this to be included in the BLS RFP.

This process has moved at a rapid pace and has various moving parts. I voted in favor of this item so residents receiving ambulance services will continue to see only one bill that clearly states the distinct charges, instead of two separate bills that could potentially cause significant confusion.

My hope is to maintain the level of service and manner in which we conduct business with the public as close to what has been done previously, in order to avoid any impacts to services.

Next week, the Board will have the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the draft RFP.

To learn more about the ALS charge, please click here. To view the draft RFP, please click here. For more information, please click here.

Operation Stonegarden Grant Funding

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) was given approval to receive a $120,000 grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security. This grant will be used to enhance cooperation and coordination between Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure our international borders, including our maritime jurisdictions.

The funds will be used toward the OCSD Air Support and Harbor Patrol bureaus for support related to helicopter flight costs, boat fuel and maintenance costs. This will help the County by increasing our capabilities to prevent, protect against and respond to border security issues.

For more information, please click here.

Excess Food from OC Jail System to OC Food Banks

The Board authorized the Sheriff’s Department the ability to donate excess unused food from the Orange County jail system to several Orange County food banks, including the Second Harvest Food Bank. Since some leftover and unused food is inevitable, allowing the donation will help efforts to fight hunger in Orange County.

Aside from the leftover food, there are no costs to the County. Additionally, the food banks will provide transportation of the food from the jails to their facilities.

For more information, please click here.

HEALTH HERALD

Measles Outbreak in Orange County

Orange County has 21 confirmed cases of measles in 2014, the most reported by any county in California. The Health Care Agency (HCA) expects the measles outbreak will continue to spread and reminds the public that the best way to prevent the measles is by getting vaccinated.

Five of the 21 cases have been children, none of them immunized. Five have been healthcare workers who became ill after exposure to measles cases.

HCA will take every precaution to prevent outbreaks in health care facilities, schools and daycare facilities. Unimmunized children, school/daycare staff, and healthcare workers who are exposed to the measles will be instructed to stay home for up to 21 days after exposure.

Anyone suspecting they have measles should CALL their medical provider BEFORE arriving at the medical office to avoid exposing others to the measles virus.

For more information, please click here, here, here and here.

Protect yourself and family from measles:
  • Children should receive their first MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR is given at 4 to 6 years of age before going to school.
  • Vaccinating children, adolescents and adults is the best way to protect infants who are too young to receive the MMR vaccine.
  • Vaccinations are very safe. The benefits far outweigh any risks. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness where the shot was given.
Learn more about measles by visiting the Health Care Agency or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

I-5 South County Improvement Project Construction Alert

Regularly scheduled nightly closures will resume Tuesday, April 1 and continue through Friday, April 4.

If you live in San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point or San Clemente, keep an eye out for an I-5 South County Improvement Project postcard in your mailbox next week! We will be sending out more than 55,000 to the entire project area.

With construction underway, please be sure to share project information with your friends so they are always in the know. You can also stay informed about our project on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information, please click here.

Emergency Vehicle Preemption Devices

OC Public Works will be installing Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) devices for street intersections in the unincorporated portion of Antonio Parkway, as part of the Traffic Signal Synchronization Project. The project is scheduled to end by September 2014.

The EVP devices will help emergency personnel respond to calls more quickly by turning the traffic signal green for emergency vehicles and red for cross traffic, thus providing safer passage through intersections.

All Aboard the Angels Express!

The popular Angels Express begins the season Monday, March 31. Fans can jump on the Orange Line to ride this special Metrolink train to all Angels weekday home games that start at 7:05 PM and the Inland Empire-Orange County Line to travel to every Friday night game.

Come join OCTA for an Angels Express Fan Friday celebration at the Irvine Metrolink Station on Friday, April 11 at 5:00 PM. Be one of the first 100 people and take the Angels Express for FREE! Enjoy FREE food and live music. For more information, please click here.

Funded by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee, the Angels Express helps take cars off the road by providing safe, convenient public transportation directly to the stadium in Anaheim. Fans save money on parking and gas and enjoy a great evening at the ballpark while leaving their cars behind.

Last year, Angels Express trains had more than 34,000 boardings. To learn more about the Angels Express, please click here.

SAFETY SENTRY

South County School Helps Launch Cyber Safety Project

Newhart Middle School in Mission Viejo this week hosted the national launch of a cyber-safety campaign spearheaded by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The campaign, dubbed Project iGuardian, is viewed as a natural extension of current efforts already underway in the Capistrano Unified School District to increase Internet safety.

HSI will be working closely with its partner law enforcement agencies from the 61 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces nationwide to coordinate and conduct the Project iGuardian presentations. The initiative builds on the outreach already being conducted by ICAC personnel in local jurisdictions, giving the effort a national scope.

According to the participating agencies, cyber safety education not only aids in prevention, it also frequently generates valuable case leads. For more information on Internet safety and cyber citizenship, please visit the Technology and Information Services website.

Schools interested in requesting a Project iGuardian presentation can do so using a link on ICE's website. At that link, users will also find general cyber safety tips for kids, parents and educators. Those seeking further guidance can use the link on ICE's website to access NCMEC's NetSmartz Workshop, which features more detailed information on numerous topics related to online safety.

For more information, please click here.

Tsunami Preparedness Week

Thursday, March 27 marked the 50th anniversary since a 9.2 magnitude earthquake struck offshore of Alaska, causing a tsunami that spread down the west coast, resulting in 12 deaths in Crescent City, CA. In Orange County, high ocean waves from the 1964 tsunami inundated parts of Seal Beach, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, causing damage to harbors, as well as flooding homes and businesses.

Since 1812, the coast of California has stood against the destruction of more than two dozen tsunamis, one of which was the tsunami generated from the 9.0 magnitude earthquake in Japan that resulted in one California death and millions of dollars in property damage on the California coast, including damage to Orange County harbors and piers.

In remembrance of the 1964 Alaskan earthquake and Orange County’s history of significant damage caused by tsunamis, the Orange County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the week of March 23-29 as Tsunami Preparedness Week.

Residents and businesses along the coast are urged to prepare for tsunamis by practicing their family and business emergency plans, including creating a communication plan and selecting a place to meet on higher ground.

However, not only people who live or work along the coast must prepare for tsunamis. One of the key populations emergency management officials are concerned about is the transient population comprised of the thousands of surfers and beach-goers who visit the coast every year from inland areas.

Everyone who visits the coast, whether to live, work or play, should pay extreme attention to tsunami warnings and advisories that are publicly posted, as well as beach closure barricades and signs. At the time of a tsunami warning, the whole coastal community must move to higher ground, away from the ocean.

One way the County and coastal cities will notify the public of a tsunami threat is through the use of AlertOC. This warning system has proved to be vital in keeping injuries and damages to a minimum during the last three tsunami events. All residents should visit AlertOC.com to register their cell phones, business lines and e-mail addresses to receive vital messages during emergencies.

How to survive a tsunami:
  • Protect yourself during the earthquake – drop, cover and hold on.
  • Move to high ground or inland as soon as you can.
  • Stay on higher ground. Waves from a tsunami may arrive for eight hours or longer.
  • Follow all instructions from local officials and only return to the coast when an announcement states that it is safe to do so.
  • Register alternate phones and e-mail addresses at AlertOC.com.
For more information, please click here.

CRITTER CHRONICLES

Mountain Lion Sightings in South County

A 70-pound female mountain lion was removed from a Mission Viejo retirement community this week, prompting the City of Mission Viejo to warn residents about potential sightings in the area.

Anyone who sees a mountain lion should remain calm, not run, try to appear larger and make a lot of noise. On a trail, parents should keep children in front of them so they can be easily watched.

In addition, please remember the following tips:
  • Do not hike, bike or jog alone in mountain lion habitat.
  • Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active – dawn, dusk and at night.
  • Stay on designated trails and stay alert. Keep children close by.
  • Do not approach mountain lions.
  • If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
  • If attacked, fight back.
  • Sightings in populated areas can be reported to 9-1-1.
For more information, please click here and here.

ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

Save Water around the House

In times of drought, it is important that we use water efficiently. There are a number of things you can do to join the water use efficiency movement and stop wasting water. For information about areas in your home where substantial water savings can be realized, please click here.

Another great resource to help reduce your household water use is the Water Smart Home Program. In partnership with your retail water agency and the Municipal Water District of Orange County, the Water Smart Home Program provides free home water surveys for Orange County residents.

Through this Program, a trained technician will visit your home and evaluate all of your water use practices and devices. A customized report will be sent to you summarizing the results of your home survey and providing you with valuable information, such as:
  • The location of any indoor and/or outdoor leaks
  • Flow rates of indoor plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, toilets, clothes washers, and dishwashers
  • Where and how water is being used in your landscape
  • The role your water meter plays in home water management
For more information, please click here.

2014 Eco Challenge Poster Contest

Orange County youngsters have the opportunity to participate in the 2014 Eco Challenge poster contest presented by the County of Orange, Discovery Science Center, and Angels Baseball for the chance to be an Honorary Bat Kid at a 2014 Angels baseball game.

For more information, please click here.

NOTE FROM THE FIELD

Caspers Wilderness Park: 40th Anniversary Celebration

Caspers Wilderness Park is an 8,000 acre protected wilderness preserve, nestled among the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains in San Juan Capistrano. The public is invited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Caspers Wilderness Park on Saturday, April 5 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, during Caspers Adventure Day!

Caspers Adventure Day is a fun-filled family event, featuring a full schedule of musical entertainment, guided hikes, arts and crafts, wildlife exhibits, games, pony rides, food and much more. FREE popsicles will be given to the first 400 people in attendance! For more information, please click here.

Caspers Wilderness Park’s many fertile valleys are complemented by groves of native Coastal Live Oak and magnificent stands of California Sycamore. These areas are further accentuated by seasonal wildflower displays and running streams. Wildlife is abundant and can be readily viewed from any of the parks numerous trails.

For more information, please click here.

LIBRARY LIBRETTO

8th Annual Literary Orange

OC Public Libraries is pleased to announce the 8th annual Literary Orange, the premier literary event in Orange County. On Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, readers and authors will gather at the Irvine Marriott to hear the captivating words of keynote speakers Marlo Thomas and Ann Hood, as well as a host of over 30 local authors.

This year promises to be the best yet. Along with the two best-selling authors in the keynote slots, Literary Orange is featuring fifteen author panels. There will be panel discussions on food, memoir, mystery, media, poetry, and travel. Young adult books, which are increasingly popular among adults, will have a panel.

For more information, please click here and here.

RECORDER RECORD

Apply For Passports Now!

Get your passport now and avoid last minute travel problems and extra costs by taking advantage of the Clerk-Recorder Department’s special Saturday openings April 12 and May 17 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana.

Passport and marriage services will be available to the public on these two dates.

Reservations for passport applications are recommended due to an anticipated increase in demand for services and the fast approaching summer travel season. To save time, passport applications can be completed in advance online at www.ocrecorder.com. Please note that passport services are only available at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana.

Routine passport applications generally take up to five weeks to process. Requirements for applying for a passport include: proof of citizenship (certified copy of birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship), two passport photos and current government issued photo identification.

Passports for individuals age 16 and older cost $135, paid in two separate fees: $110, sent to the U.S. Department of State with the application, and $25 for processing, paid to the Clerk-Recorder Department.

For those aged 15 and younger, the cost is $105 in two separate fees: $80.00, sent to the U.S. Department of State with the application, and $25 for processing, paid to the Clerk-Recorder Department.

Fees to the U.S. Department of State must be paid only by check, money order or cashier’s check. As an added convenience, passport photos are available on the spot for $15.

For more information, please click here and here.

FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

Santa Margarita Catholic High School Teams Shine

Soccer
Twelve years had passed since Santa Margarita Catholic High School (SMCHS) last won a CIF title in girls soccer. That drought came to an end recently, when the SMCHS Eagles pulled ahead of Edison early and cruised the rest of the way to claim a CIF-SS championship with a 3-0 victory over the Chargers in the Division 1 final at Corona High. For more information, please click here.

Basketball
The top-seeded Santa Margarita Catholic High School boys basketball team needed a late surge to defeat No. 3 Brea Olinda, 53-46, to capture the CIF-SS Division 3AA title at the Honda Center recently. The SMCHS Eagles (23-8) lost to Damien of La Verne in last season’s final but used some late heroics to hold off the Brea Olinda Wildcats (23-10) in this year’s title game. For more information, please click here.

Hockey
The Santa Margarita Catholic High School hockey team came into the 2013-14 season with the enviable but ultimately impossible challenge of trying to defend three titles: league, state and national champions. The success of last year’s team gave these Eagles a lot to live up to.

With JSerra, also from South County, winning the state title last week and the SMCHS Eagles missing qualification for nationals, the recent Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League Division 1A championship game was Santa Margarita’s last chance to repeat last year’s success, as they defeated JSerra, 2-1, at the Honda Center. It is Santa Margarita’s first back-to-back league championships in program history.

JSerra’s season, however, is not over. The JSerra Lions, recently crowned California Amateur Hockey Association High School State Champions, advance to the USA Hockey nationals in Omaha, Nebraska at the end of the month. For more information, please click here.

SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

Rancho Santa Margarita: Cyber Safety Class for Parents

A FREE Cyber Safety Class for Parents at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center in Rancho Santa Margarita on Monday, March 31 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM will provide parents with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively supervise their children in the online world of social networks. For more information, please click here.

Dana Point: Community Electronic Waste Day

Monarch Bay Plaza in Dana Point is sponsoring a FREE Community Electronic Waste Day to safely dispose of old computers, printers, monitors, cell phones, TVs and more on Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

Aliso Viejo: Eat Healthy, Be Active

Parents are invited to learn how to help themselves and their families eat healthier and be more active in a FREE nutrition class Saturday, April 5. The "Eat Healthy, Be Active" nutrition class is from 10:00 AM to noon at the Aliso Viejo Family Resource Center located at 24671 Via Iglesia. For more information, please click here.

FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
  • Hosted my 7th annual South County Senior Summit. For more information, please click here. To view photos, please click here.
  • Participated in the 56th annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano.
  • Participated in the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors meeting.
  • Participated in the San Onofre Decommissioning Community Engagement Panel meeting held at the San Clemente Community Center.
  • Attended the Laguna Woods City Council meeting to provide an update on the I-5 and I-405 Improvement Project.
  • Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Jack Foley of Laguna Niguel and James Nix of Laguna Woods.

My staff and I look forward to continually providing you updated information in our Fifth District Newsletter and website.

Please feel free to contact my office with your concerns, comments or questions at (714) 834-3550. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your Supervisor for Orange County's Fabulous Fifth District.

For an ADA version of our newsletter, click here.

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