West County Community Emergency Response Team recently announced the graduation of 52 community members from the basic CERT academy on Saturday, Oct. 23, according to a press release issued by the Los Alamitos Police Department.
“The CERT Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations,” according to the Los Al PD blog.
“Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community,” the blog said.
“The Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, Program is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, you can make a difference by using CERT training to save lives and protect property,” according to the West County CERT Web site.
West County CERT serves the cities of Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Cypress, Westminster, Buena Park and La Palma, according to the CERT Web site.
Classes are open to anyone who lives or works in those communities.
“The 80 active members of West County CERT respond to a variety of call-outs—both pre-planned events and emergency incidents from wildfires and flooding to traffic control and missing persons,” said the Los Al PD blog.
They’ve also helped with sandbagging during flooding, traffic control during parades, health and safety expos, flyer notifications, runners at base camp for large fires and any other city or county events where extra assistance is needed,” the blog said.
For more information on the next CERT academy, visit www.westcountycert.com. Two academies are held each year so space is limited.
Local ambulance service to partner with European firm
Special to the Sun
Care Ambulance provides ambulance services to Seal Beach and other communities.
Bill Weston, Care Ambulance operations manager, Care Ambulance, contacted Seal Beach City Hall last week regarding a pending change in ownership of the company.
However, this change will not in any way affect the day-to-day operations of Care Ambulance or the service level they provide to their contract cities.
The founder of Care Ambulance, Carl Richardson, passed away on June 27 at the age of 92. Richardson started Care Ambulance out of his Garden Grove home with one ambulance.
Due to declining health, Richardson turned over the daily operation of the business to his sons Dan and Rick as co-owners in 1986. Dan Richardson has announced his retirement and is preparing to step down as co-owner. His brother Rick will be solely responsible for the day-to-day operations.
Care Ambulance has signed a letter of intent to partner with Falck Ambulance, Falck Ambulance is the largest privately-owned ambulance company in Europe.
Again, this change will not affect the Care Ambulance name or day-to-day operations.
The next step in the process will be for the OCFA Board of Directors to approve the partnership given that they contract with the OCFA to provide ambulance service to several cities in Orange County .
New dispatcher in Sun Region
Dispatch Trainee Joy Nasser successfully passed the West-Comm training program on Oct. 27.
West-Comm provides dispatch services for West Orange County law enforcement.
Nasser completed the program in 12 weeks. She had previous experience with the West Covina computer aided dispatch system.
Dispatcher Nasser is assigned to the weekend night shift.
To make a comment on this story at the Sun Newspapers’ Web site, go to Sunnews.org.
New feature
Seal Beach Marine Safety report
The following information was provided by the city of Seal Beach Marine Safety (Lifeguard) Department.
The status report for the week of Oct. 29 to Nov. 4:
Rescues: Four
Medical Aids: Eight
Major Medical Aids: zero
Stingray Injuries: Six
Boat Rescues: One
Warm weather and large surf has caused an uptick in beach attendance last week. The weather has been the nicest of the year and Seal Beach experienced the first surf of the winter storm pattern. The surf forecast at 11 feet coincided with a 6.2-foot high tide. Lifeguards monitored the situation. The water ran halfway up the beach causing no problems.
The winter sand berm was being built last week and the contractor should be finished by the end of this week. During the construction, lifeguards closed the beach in order to avoid any conflicts between people and earthmovers. Some beach visitors were unhappy about the closure.
To make a comment on this story at the Sun Newspapers’ Web site, go to Sunnews.org.
Crime Log Assembled by Charles M. Kelly
The crimes listed in the Sun Newspapers were reported to Seal Beach Police Department, Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Sheriff Department between Oct. 26 and Nov. 7, 2010.
Only street names are used; times given are reported times, not incident times.
Crime Log entries are based on preliminary information. Space limitations make it impossible to publish every incident. Until proven guilty in a court of law, all suspects are considered innocent.
IN SEAL BEACH
Monday, October 25
Vehicle Burglary—12:38 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller caught someone inside his vehicle. The suspect was described as a Hispanic man in his early 20s. The suspect left his tools in the caller’s vehicle. The suspect left in a white four-door vehicle that was traveling southbound on Seal Beach Boulevard. The intruder apparently didn’t have time to take any property. Report taken.
Tuesday, October 26
Illegal Peddler—1:41 p.m.—Hazelnut Avenue—The caller said a white woman in her early 20s was selling magazines. When the caller refused to buy any, the suspect asked the caller to just give her $5.
Coyote—6:28 p.m.—Marina Drive and 1st Street—The caller reported seeing a coyote near the riverbed along the bike path. Referred to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Wednesday, October 27
Coyotes—2:31 a.m.—Corsair Way—The caller reported two coyotes eating something on the caller’s property. Referred to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Welfare Check—12:41 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway and 1st Street—The caller was jogging when the caller saw a young man, possibly a transient, stretched out on the grass area on the side of the road. The caller thought he was probably sleeping, but wasn’t sure. Police unit 117 contacted the young man. He was apparently waiting for the bus. He was interviewed in the field.
Coyotes—4:52 p.m.—Corsair Way—The caller reported two coyotes running around in the caller’s front yard. Message delivered to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Thursday, October 28
Petty Theft Report—6:34 a.m.—Fir Avenue—The caller said someone stole a workplace laptop from an unlocked vehicle. The caller’s husband had already left for work. Log entry.
Friday, October 29
Transients—9:51 a.m.—10th Street and Electric Avenue—The caller reported an ongoing problem with a transient or transients sleeping on the Green Belt. Police unit 116 determined found no evidence of a crime and determined that no further police services were necessary.
Saturday, October 30
Welfare Check—4:29 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller reported a man who might be passed out in a vehicle located in the parking lot. The man had apparently been there for about an hour. Police contacted the man, who was arrested for public drunkenness.
Vehicle Burglary—10:07 a.m.—College Park Drive—Loss: a laptop valued at $1,200. Point of entry: a smashed passenger side window. The crime apparently occurred between 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29 and 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 30.
Sunday, October 31
Dog in Vehicle—1:36 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported a vehicle with a dog, possibly a beagle, inside. The dog was panting. The vehicle was gone by the time a police unit arrived.
Extra Patrol Checks Requested—6:13 p.m.—Aster Street and Candleberry Avenue—The caller requested extra patrol checks for drivers who speed in the area. The caller was concerned for the safety of trick or treaters.
IN LEISURE WORLD
Tuesday, October 26
Counseling—3:32 p.m.—Scito Road, Mutual 9—A citizen spoke with police about a scam letter that was possibly related to a previous report of identity theft.
IN LOS ALAMITOS
Monday, November 1
Suspicious Person—11:53 a.m.—Farquhar Street—A woman walked through an apartment complex selling magazine subscriptions. Officers told her she needed a license to do that. She left the area.
Tuesday, November 2
Illegally Parked Vehicle—9:24 a.m.—Humboldt Street—Trucks blocked driveway of a business. This was apparently an on-going problem. Officers spoke to the business owner, who said he would find alternatives for drivers to make deliveries.
Wednesday, November 3
Forgery—12:54 p.m.—Cerritos Avenue—A suspect made a purchase and used a business checking account. A report was taken.
Thursday, November 4
Theft—6:19 p.m.—Howard Street—An inflatable raft was stolen sometime between Friday, Oct. 15 and Thursday, November 4. The raft was valued at $350. Report taken.
Friday, November 5
Suspicious Vehicle—12:13 p.m.—Farquhar Street—A vehicle unfamiliar to the area parked at the location and two people got out. Officers spoke to the pair. They were looking for a friend’s apartment.
Saturday, November 6
Citizen Assist—1:57 p.m.—Katella Avenue—A woman who spoke Italian appeared disoriented. Officers conducted a field interview and sent her on her way.
Sunday, November 7
Welfare Check—1:45 p.m.—Bloomfield Street—A man sat on a curb for about 30 minutes. The caller wanted to make sure he was okay. Officers found the man, who was waiting for a ride. The ride soon arrived at the location.
IN ROSSMOOR
Monday, November 1
Burglary Report—7:53 a.m.—Wembley Road.
Vandalism Report—4:18 p.m.—Hedwig Road and Pemberton Road.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—8:29 p.m.—Martha Ann Drive.
Tuesday, November 2
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—12:15 a.m.—Martha Ann Drive and Salmon Drive.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—8:10 a.m.—Argyle Drive and Piedmont Avenue.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—5:32 p.m.—St. Cloud Drive and Seal Beach Boulevard.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—5:43 p.m.—Bradbury Road.
Wednesday, November 3
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—12:11 a.m.—Martha Ann Drive.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—9:52 a.m.—Foster Road and Copa D’Oro Drive.
Fraud Report—11:38 a.m.—Wembley Road.
Burglary Report—1:58 p.m.—Shakespeare Drive.
Criminal Threats Report—8:43 p.m.—Mainway Drive.
Unknown Trouble—10 p.m.—Martha Ann Drive.
Thursday, November 4
Prowler—4:07 a.m.—Kensington Road.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—9:54 p.m.—Mainway Drive and Silver Fox Road.
Friday, November 5
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—6:18 a.m.—Martha Ann Drive.
Saturday, November 6
Prowler—12:08 a.m.—Wembley Road.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—1:47 a.m.—Shakespeare Drive.
Burglary Report—8:32 a.m.—Weatherby Road.
IN SUNSET BEACH
Monday, November 1
Pedestrian Check—2:35 a.m.—S. Pacific Avenue and Anderson Street.
Thursday, November 4
Disturbance—7:20 a.m.11th Street.
Pedestrian Check—1:14 a.m.—24th Street.
Brian Smith of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
