News-Ledger Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Page 1
NEWS-LEDGER West Sacramento
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Serving the West Sacramento Region Since 1964
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
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53rd Year No. 34
Local Scene See what’s going on. Calendar on page 9
Comics & Puzzles
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POLICE LOG
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Heroes honored at West Sacramento Fire Department awards ceremony Members of the West Sacramento Fire Department gathered Monday, April 17 to honor the outstanding efforts by emergency services personnel and community partners from the past year. FireFighter of the year Jeff Bohnet, EMT of the year Mark Hull, Certificate of Community Service Mark Hull, Company Citation for Life-Saving EffortsCaptain Bohnet, Engineer Dries & Firefighter Mahoney, Outstanding Service & Achievement Award – Firefighter Sayer Morgan, and Commendation for Outstanding Effort (Citizens/AMR): Citizens: Dan Powell (Sgt at Davis PD) Jenilee Larsen Devyn Hotho Yesabel Perza Jeremy Fristoe (Yolo Correctional Officer) AMR: Paramedic Blythe Clark EMT Ben Klein On Dec. 18, 2015 fire crews were dispatched to a single vehicle accident, on fire, with an unconscious person trapped in the driver’s seat. Firefighter Mahoney and Engineer Dries began extinguishing the fire while Captain Bohnet broke out the passenger window, entered the vehi-
cle and removed the seat belt. Engineer Dries assisted Captain Bohnet with removal of the driver through the passenger window and placed him into the care of AMR. Lindsay Dyer, secretary with the WSFD spoke about a life threatening incident that happened to her last year and the lifesaving efforts performed by bystanders, WSFD, AMR, and hospital staff to help save her life. Special recognition was also given to the West Sacramento Fire Department for receiving a Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office. This national award honors fire departments for operating excellence, 9-1-1 communications, and water supply system readiness. Honored guests in attendance: City Manager, Martin Tuttle City Council, Babs Sandeen Assistant City Manager, Amanda Berlin Director of Administrative Services, Phil Wright Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Tuttle Retired Sac Metro Fire Chief, Rick Martinez Woodland Fire Chief, Rebecca Ramirez (Source:citylights.org)
Do You Know Your City’s Emergency Plan? By Michele Townsend Emergency Plans have been in existence for a long time, Homeland Security Presidential Directives No. 5 and 8 state that all levels of government need a single plan for any emergency that may arise, whether it be due to natural or human events, and must include how the multitude of organizations work together. With all of the recent weather and structural scares, such as the Oroville Dam and high water levels in our rivers, have you thought about what the emergency plan is in our city? We did a little digging to find out what West Sacramento’s emergency plans are, how we would be notified, and what the community should do? West Sacramento’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) can be found online, and is 291 pages of details about the structure and operations, what tasks are assigned to our city officials and departments, and when we bring in additional agencies, such as the Yolo County Office of Emergency Services (OES), as well as the many state and federal agencies. West
Sacramento is 23-square miles containing more than 50,000 people. Though it is the Fire Marshal’s job to do the day-to-day planning and execution of these plans locally, in the event of a large scale emergency the city manager is responsible for the Emergency Operations Center, and conducts all high levels of direction. Although the outlines cannot get too specific, because the emergency would be event specific, it is very clear that our first responders, emergency services, and city officials, have a very solid and structured plan. But what about the community? What about the schools? Does the emergency plans include our animals? How are we notified, and what are our duties as community members? West Sacramento’s Fire Marshal, Bryan Jonson, stated that “To begin with, even though there are levees all the way around us, the elevation difference, alone, between the floor of the city and the water levels make us much safer than it sounds.” He went on to say that “the key to handling any emergency effectively is preparedness!”
Basic safety starts at home. We just changed our clocks, and with that we should have checked the function of our smoke detectors. But in addition to that, if you have fire extinguishers you should check them to see if they are still functional or need upkeep or replacement. Sometimes this is as easy as turning it upside down and shaking it to ensure that the contents do not get packed down and can be expelled. However different types of fire extinguishers contain and require different things. You can go onto the National Fire Protection Association’s website, at NFPA. org to look up how to maintain the type of fire extinguisher that you have, as well as learn when it is time to replace it. As part of your emergency equipment at home, it is suggested that you have a preparedness kit, and that it be updated at least annually. These can be assembled by you or purchased. You can get a check list of suggested items for your kits on the city’s website at www.cityofwestsacramento. org, or you can look up “go kit” online to find the kit that suits you best. Another important way to be prepared See Emergency, page 8
Mayor Cabaldon Selected as One of Nation’s Top ProGrowth Progressive Leaders On Tuesday, April 18, West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon was selected as one of 14 leaders from across the country to join the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a selective national network of state and local leaders working to enact pro-growth progressive solutions in a diverse array of communities. He is joined in this class of leaders by Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. “We congratulate and applaud Mayor Cabaldon, who has shown a dedication to developing pro-growth, progressive policies that increase economic opportunity for everyone,” said Senator Mark Warner (DVA) and former Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Honorary Co-Chairs of the NewDEAL. “More than ever, we need to support outstanding state and local leaders who have innovative ideas that address the most important issues facing Americans in our new economy. We are committed to highlighting their work, while giving them the chance to learn from each other and replicate solutions that make government work better.” The NewDEAL brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly-earned and sustainable. Most importantly, the organization facilitates the
exchange of ideas among its members and connects them with other pro-growth progressive political, policy, and private sector leaders. NewDEAL leaders have found broad support for their work, with 98 percent of members winning elections last November, across red, blue, and purple states, including eight elected to higher office. Four members were elevated to statewide office, including in the swing states of Pennsylvania and North Carolina. With today’s announcement of new members, the organization includes 152 officials from 46 states. “The NewDEAL provides a unique and valuable opportunity for state and local leaders to learn from each other and develop policies that make today’s economy work better for everyone in our communities,” said Mayor Pete Buttigieg from South Bend, IN, who joined the network in 2012. “It’s clear that we need new voices with fresh ideas and an ability to get things done to reinvigorate the Democratic Party and address the challenges that have the greatest impact on our constituents – in education, job creation, and more effective government services. I’m thrilled that Christopher will join this effort to keep our country moving forward.” Cabaldon, who has served as Mayor since See Cabaldon, page 3