AMATEUR RADIO CLASS JULY 27
June 29, 2013 (Lakeside) – An Amateur Radio class is being held on July 27 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Fire Protection District Office, 12216 Lakeside Avenue, Lakeside. Testing for the Amateur Radio License will be held immediately after class at 5 p.m. Obtaining an amateur radio license enables people to communicate during a local disaster such as a fire or earthquake when traditional land lines and cell phones may stop working. License holders can help their local community during times of need as well as get up to date information about the disaster from local authorities. It’s also a great way to communicate with people around the world. Prior to class participants will need to get the ARRL “Ham Radio License Manual”, available at Ham Radio Outlet or the library and an FRN Number through the FRN Help line at 877-480-3201 or go to www.LakesideARC.org and click on “Get FRN Number”. The test administration fee is $5 and must be paid by cash or check at the time of test. Contact Mike Maston at 619-972-1148 or mastroleo1@gmail.com to reserve you seat in class.
FIRES DOUSED IN SANTEE INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT AND IN LAKESIDE
By Miriam Raftery Photos by 10 News and Leon Thompson June 29, 2013 (Santee)—Exploding propane tanks fueled a fire in the 10500 block of Prospect Avenue in Santee yesterday, ECM news partner 10 News reports. The fire began in a trash pile or container , according to Heartland Fire & Rescue spokeman Sonny Saghera. The blaze damaged a home, a garage and several vehicles, Santee Patch.com reported. Another fire yesterday started in a dumpster in Lakeside at the junction of Muth Valley Road and Wildcat Canyon, spreading into nearby brush briefly before firefighters extinguished the blaze. Cause of the fires remains under investigation.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR STOLEN CORRAL
June 29, 2013 (Deerhorn Valley) — Rustlers have struck at a ranch in Deerhorn Valley — stealing not livestock, but a corral. Approximately 20 panels of pipe corral, including a gate, were stolen in a brazen theft last week. Each panel is 12 feet long, the Deerhorn Valley Antler reports. Citizens are asked to report any appearances of similar pipe corral panels elsewhere in the region, as well as any other information on this crime. “The corral was assembled, standing and used for training and riding lessons. Apparently the thieves came on more than once occasion to dismantle and carry away the panels. In all, half the corral has been stolen, a significant expense for the owners,” the Antler reports. The theft occurred in the upper Deerhorn Valley area near Spice and Turmeric. If you have any information, please email TheAntler@deerhornvalley.net The panels would be SIMILAR to the photo at the top of this story (not the actual panels).
BRUSH FIRE BURNING SOUTH OF TECATE
By Nadin Abbott June 28. 2013 (San Diego’s East County)– The smoke that residents in East County have seen in recent days is coming from a fire in Mexico, about 17 miles (28 kilometers) south of the international border. The fire has consumed 1,235 acres (500 hectares) and it is about 50% contained. The region it is located it’s called the “Five Points” where Tijuana, Tecate, Rosarito, Ensenada and Mexicali Counties join.This region of the state is very rugged, making fire fighting difficult. According to Captain Marco Antonio Garabillo of the Tecate Fire Department, federal wild land firefighters have the support of urban fire fighters from Tecate, Tijuana, Ensenada and Rosarito. They have been joined by military personnel, and have one helicopter to transport personnel and drop water. The helicopter has a 500 gallon water capacity. According to the head of Mexico’s State Civil Defense, Alfredo Escobedo Ortiz, the concern chiefly is that the fire is making it’s way to the “La Bola” Hill. This high point has all kinds of communications installations, that could pose serious problems for the State. It is “also moving towards the Guadalupe Valley in Ensenada,” he said. Smoke remains visible on and off from the Southern part of the East County.
HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK LINKED TO POMEGRANATE SEEDS SOLD LOCALLY
June 28, 2013 (San Diego)–Consumers are urged to throw away specific lots of Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels, the second product sold in San Diego County associated with a national outbreak of hepatitis A, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). The recalled lots contain pomegranate seeds imported from Turkey that were also used in Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend of frozen berries. Although the Woodstock product has not been linked to any illnesses here, the Townsend Farms berry blend has sickened 127 people nationwide, including 15 San Diego County residents. “If you ate a product containing these pomegranate seeds in the past two weeks and you have never been vaccinated for hepatitis A or had the disease, you should contact your health care provider to discuss hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Anyone who ate these products should be aware of the symptoms of hepatitis A and seek medical attention early if they appear.” The recalled Woodstock Organic Pomegranate Kernels were sold in various San Diego County stores in eight-ounce pouches with the UPC Code 0 42563 01628 9 located on the back portion of these pouches below the zip-lock seal. The recalled lots are: C 0129 (A,B, or C) 035 with a best by date of 02/04/2015 C 0388 (A,B, or C) 087 with a best by date of 03/28/2015 C 0490 (A,B, or C) 109 with a best by date of 04/19/2015 The risk of contracting hepatitis A from eating the pomegranate seed products is low. If you have ever been vaccinated for hepatitis A or have been diagnosed with hepatitis A in the past, you are considered protected from the disease. The hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin can prevent infection if given within 14 days of exposure. Signs of hepatitis A appear two to seven weeks after exposure. Symptoms commonly include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, dark urine and jaundice (yellow eyes or skin). It is important if you have these symptoms that you seek medical attention and do not work in food service, health care or child care until you are no longer infectious. Hepatitis A varies in severity, with mild cases lasting two weeks or less and more severe cases lasting four to six weeks or longer. The disease can be severe and result in hospitalization. Some individuals, especially children, may not develop jaundice and may have mild illness. Even people with mild symptoms should consult a health care provider. Those who do not have a provider should call 2-1-1San Diego to locate available clinics in their communities. Anyone who ate a recalled product and has questions about possible exposure to hepatitis A should check for information at the County website or contact the HHSA Epidemiology Program at (619) 692-8499. The recall has sparked criticism over the USDA’s testing procedures. “The FDA has indeed issued a recall on a frozen, certified-organic pomegranate product. But the USDA has yet to require the testing of organic crops to ensure they’re free of lethal pathogens,” Mischa Popoff, a former USDA contract organic inspector and author of Is it Organic, wrote in an e-mail to ECM. “I have been lobbying the USDA to test organic crops in the field to ensure they’re both genuine and safe. Plans are finally afoot to begin testing 5% of the organic crops the USDA certifies, but this will not apply to foreign organic crops such as the pomegranate crop at issue in this case.”
RESTORE THE FOURTH (AMENDMENT): RALLY AND MARCH TO SENATOR FEINSTEIN’S OFFICE JULY 4
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures…” U.S. Bill of Rights, Amendment IV June 28, 2013 (San Diego)—A new nonpartisan movement called “Restore the Fourth” has been formed to seek restoration of Constitutional rights to privacy under the Fourth Amendment. The effort is prompted by revelations that the federal government has secretly accessed phone and Internet records for millions of American citizens. On July 4, Restore the Fourth is organizing protests in cities across America. Restore the Fourth invites the public to join a rally and march to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office. Marchers will meet at 11 a.m. at the Balboa Park fountain near the Reuben H. Space Theater. “People all across the country are getting mobilized to tell the government on July 4th that we will not tolerate covert surveillance against Americans behind our backs and without our consent,’ a press release from the organization states. “We need numbers and spirited people who will defend our constitutional rights.” For more information and to find rallies nationwide visit http://www.restorethefourth.net/. To join the event, see the group’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/116015838607871/116474328562022/
FROM THE CHIEF’S CORNER: THE HEAT IS ON
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna June 28, 2013 (San Diego) – The Heat is on and looks like it will be with us for a while! If you work or play outside, you should know about heat stress safety tips. Heat stress is caused by over exposure to hot climates. You might not think it is possible, but you can suffer from heat related injuries inside as well as outside. Heat stress occurs when your bodies core temperature rises above normal. Follow these heat stress safety tips to prevent heat injuries: Types of Heat Stress – There are two popular types of heat stress. The first is heat stroke. This is caused by your body temperature rising above 103 degrees. Heat stroke is a serious problem and often leads to death if it is not taken care of immediately. There are several symptoms of heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness, flushed skin, vomiting, no sweat on skin, seizure and loss of consciousness. If you notice someone suffering from any of these symptoms call for medical attention. Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion – The cause of heat exhaustion is very similar to heat stroke. The main difference is that the body is having trouble dehydrating to due lack of liquids and electrolytes. People that are most likely to suffer heat exhaustion are outdoor workers and the elderly. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include fatigue, cool clammy skin, excessive sweating, anxiousness, thirst, cloudy thinking and trouble standing. If you or someone you are working with starts to show these symptoms, seek medical help immediately. There are a few things you can do while waiting for help to keep the person from getting worse. Pour cold water on them. Sit in a shaded area. Remove any heavy clothing Heat Stress Prevention Safety Tips – It’s important for you to wear light, loose fitting clothes that allow air to flow through them. Clothes should be light colors that reflect the Sun rather than dark which attracts the sun. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Avoid drinks with caffeine in them. They will cause you to dehydrate faster. If at all possible, work in a shaded area. If you are on any medication, check with your doctor to make sure long exposure to the sun is safe. Take frequent breaks to cool off. Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna *Note: The information in this article was compiled from various sources. These suggestions are not a complete list of every preventative or loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace additional safety manuals or the advice of another qualified professional(s). We make no guarantee of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made.