The Orange County Sheriff's Department Emergency Operations Center was activated at 0900 hours on Tuesday, September 22 and the activation is expected to remain in force until 2100 hours on Thursday, September 24th unless weather conditions change or an extension is warranted.

The activation is in cooperation with the Orange County Fire Authority and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The Orange County Sheriff's Department serves as the Region 1 Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator and the center will coordinate monitoring for smoke and fire during the ongoing Red Flag Warning in Region 1 (Los Angeles and Orange Counties). 

Recruits of Basic Academy Class 187 turned out for the Traditional Hot Dog run in the midst of Monday's downpour. The runners kept up the tradition and they are all expected to turn out tonight for their Class Graduation.

ORANGE COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREAEMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE # 1  Date:  November 25, 2008

  Time:  8:15 a.m.

ORANGE COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER AND PUBLIC INFORMATION HOTLINES ACTIVATED

VOLUNTARY EVACUATION IN YORBA LINDA

 The County of Orange activated and staffed the Emergency Operations Center with County agency representatives at 0700 hours on Nov. 25, 2008.  The Public Information Hotline has been staffed and is ready to accept calls of inquiry in regard to voluntary evacuations in burn areas of the City of Yorba Linda. The Public Information Hotline phone number is (714) 628-7085.   

A voluntary evacuation went into effect at 8 a.m. today for three specific areas of Yorba Linda that burned in the Freeway Complex Fire earlier this month. Rainfall expected in the next few days creates the potential for debris and mud flows in these areas. Residents of these areas were notified on Monday evening at approximately 7:30 p.m. via the AlertOC System.  

The three areas subject to the voluntary evacuations include the Brush Canyon Area, the Box Canyon Area, and the North Fairmont/San Antonio area. Residents are encouraged to remove themselves from these areas until the current rain event has passed. Public safety officials will be watching all burn areas closely throughout the rain event. Residents will be alerted if mandatory evacuations become necessary. During the voluntary evacuation, the Thomas Lasorda, Jr. Field House at 4701 Casa Loma Ave. will be available as a shelter location.  

Residents who wish to receive these alerts on their cell phones, text numbers and e-mail addresses can register at www.alertoc.com. More evacuation information is available on the City of Yorba Linda’s Web site at www.ci.yorba-linda.ca.us. 

The wildfires in Yorba Linda have left yet another OCSD family member homeless. 

Retired Sergeant, Chuck Bensinger, lost his Yorba Linda home in the fires this weekend.  He is currently assigned as an Extra Help Deputy in Community Programs. 

Our thoughts, prayers and support go out to Chuck and his family.

As law enforcement personnel and firefighters continue to work around the clock battling the wildfires, at least two Deputy Sheriffs and their families have fallen victim to the fires that are ravaging parts of North Orange County and beyond.

Deputy Russell Sison, of Theo Lacy, and his wife were picking up their 9-year-old son from school when his apartment complex caught on fire.  The building was burned to the ground. 

Deputy James Russell, of Theo Lacy, also lived in Yorba Linda.  His home was a total loss as well. 

AOCDS is reaching out to help our colleagues and their families. 

     Marine Operations Deputies J.C. Roberts and Tracy Sizemore were honored in a ceremony at the Newport Harbor station on November 6th.  Sheriff Sandra Hutchens presented the Deputies with their official commendations, earned for saving the life of a drowning fisherman off Corona Del Mar on October 3rd.  Dispatcher Keli Sheridan also received a commendation for her actions that day, although she was unable to attend.  The ceremony took place in the station’s conference room, packed full of Marine Operations staff members including bureau commander Lt. Erin Giudice, the Harbor Reserve unit, and representatives from local yacht clubs and businesses.  Sheriff Hutchens praised their dedication to duty and selfless actions in a dangerous situation in which a drowned fisherman was pulled from heavy surf and resuscitated by the two deputies.  Their actions were a perfect example of the outstanding performance of the staff of the Orange County Sheriff’s Marine Operations Bureau.

Left to Right: Deputy J.C. Roberts, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and Deputy Tracy Sizemore

For details on the rescue as reported in an earlier Department Blog entry, click here.

Department Emergency Management Bureau Manager Donna Boston and Senior Emergency Program Coordinator Denise  Bundy spent three days in Texas last week observing Response and Recovery operations in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

They observed the operations in some of the areas hardest hit by the hurricane, like Galveston and Houston and at some of the most challenged points within the overall response and recovery effort.

“It was something to see some of the Points of Distribution,” said Emergency Manager Boston. “They had some of the points set up almost like a DUI checkpoint. They would bring seven cars in and fill them with ice, water and MREs.” MREs are military style rations known as Meals Ready to Eat. “The cars were filled and sent along in two minutes so that the next batch of seven cars could pull in.”

Two other Department employees were also in the area of Hurricane Ike, Dispatcher Janice Murphy is a member of a Disaster Medical Assistance Team and Facility Maintenance Worker Jeff Baker is a Red Cross volunteer.

Managers Boston and Coordinator Bundy were there on Department business.

Some of the Points of Distribution were run by federal workers based at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

“What was interesting was that the local authorities were able to task FEMA with support responsibilities. That placed FEMA in a position to support local efforts,” Emergency Manager Boston said. More...

The Christian Talk Radio station KBRT (740 AM) broadcast a series of spots called “Uncommon Heroes” to remind people that the heroism of 9/11 is repeated in everyday events to this day.  Three of the segments involved the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

To hear one involving a boat rescue by Deputy Diane Honicker and Deputy Russell Endsley, both of Harbor Patrol/Dana Point,

Both deputies were awarded Medals for Lifesavings in 2006 in connection with the rescue.

The announcement of their award said: Deputy Diane Honicker and Deputy Russell Endsley will be awarded the Medal for Lifesaving for saving the lives of four men whose boat was capsized by a large wave and had sunk. The four men were returning to Dana Point from San Diego where they had been fishing for bait. Sea conditions were rough with seven foot swells -- and Deputies Honicker and Endsley had to navigate in the darkness using the compass and radar due to decreased visibility to find them in the treacherous waters. More...

Dispatcher Janice Murphy is off again to help victims of a disaster, this time those in the path of Hurricane Ike.

A 20-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Dispatcher Murphy has put her communications skills to good use in her off hours by becoming a member of a Disaster Medical Assistance Team. She has been with the same team for about 18-years and has been sent with them to help after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and in the response to Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

“We’re like you see in the M*A*S*H* television show,” Dispatcher Murphy said in a telephone interview from Dallas. “We are a medical unit and use temporary shelter whereever we are needed. We don’t do surgery but we triage the victims, see that they have what meds they may have left behind when they evacuated. We do some treatment and if we can’t take care of their needs we send them off to where they will get the medical treatment they need.”

She landed in Dallas just before the storm hit that city.

“I was nearly blown off my feet by the wind. We had heavy wind, rain and hail,” she said. What Dallas received was minor compared to the coastal cities of Galveston and Houston.

Dispatcher Murphy’s job on the team of about 35 volunteers is that of communications officer. She ensures that the unit’s radios are working, that they can communicate with each other and other units they will need to be in contact with during deployment. She also ensures that the unit radios do not interfere with neighboring public safety frequencies. 

Her team is one of several from around the country, including four from California, that have been brought to Texas to help the victims of Hurricane Ike.

The unit has already helped some victims from the Corpus Christi and it is anticipated they will move into areas even more badly hit by the storm.

“This is my passion,” she said of her efforts.

Her unit is officially part of Health and Human Services and is an important component to the federal response to the devastating storm.
She expects her deployment will last another two weeks.

To learn more about Dispatcher Murphy’s Disaster Medical Assistance Team click here.

A news story in the Los Angeles Times four weeks ago regarding Department overtime issues has triggered a county audit and an internal change on how overtime is tracked by Division Commanders.  

Meanwhile another news organization in the county continues the examination of Department overtime that they began in February.  Overtime expenses were recently reviewed by the Orange County Grand Jury.

The grand jury report was made public last week and on the issue of overtime, there was no adverse finding or recommendation and the Department was not required to respond.  The grand jury conclusion was this:  

Deputy Overtime in the OCSD Jail System

The Grand Jury examined the Sheriff-Coroner Department overtime costs for the last five fiscal years. Although overtime costs have increased during this timeframe, the increases have been proportionate to salary increases averaging 9% of salary and employee benefit costs. The Sherriff-Coroner Department has been under total budget for each of the last five fiscal years.

Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson recognized the need for Deputies to work overtime in order to fulfill our obligations. He thanked staff members who volunteer to work it in accordance with Department regulations. During the Santiago Fire and the subsequent flooding, over 1,300 individuals from the Sheriff’s Department worked overtime to protect the public. More...

ORANGE COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

PRESS RELEASE#4                                                                                                                      

Date:  May 22, 2008

Time:  2045

EVACUATION ORDERS LIFTED

  Voluntary evacuations orders have been lifted for Modjeska, Williams, and Live Oak Canyonsbut road closures in Williams and Live Oak Canyons remain in force for non-residents.  

Road conditions throughout Orange County may be hazardous due to the storm and motorists are cautioned to drive with care. Access to Modjeska Canyon is unrestricted but Williams and Live Oak Canyons are open to residents only. Santiago Canyon Road remains closed between Loma Ridge Road and Silverado Canyon. 

Cautionary signs are being placed at Modjeska and Santiago and Live Oak to remind motorists to slow down. 

Severe rain that caused mudslides in the canyons is believed to have damaged at least two homes and one business. There was one injury in a rain related traffic accident.  

The County of Orange issued a Proclamation of a Local Emergency Thursday afternoon.  The rain caused slides and damage to areas that were burned by the Santiago Fire in October and November 2007.  

The National Weather Service warned that similar rain and thunderstorms could return tomorrow afternoon. 

If residents have any questions, they can call the Orange County Emergency Operations Center hotline at (714) 628-7085 until 10 p.m. 

Press updates after 10 p.m. can be obtained by calling the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Watch Commander.

John Moorlach, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors has issued a Local Emergency Proclamation to help in storm response.  

ORANGE COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  PRESS RELEASE # 3
  Date:  May 22, 2008
  Time:  1745

PROCLAMATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY

Severe rain that caused mudslides in several canyon areas along with evacuations and property damage prompted the County of Orange to issue a Proclamation of a Local Emergency Thursday afternoon.

The Proclamation was issued by John Moorlach, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He acted in the absence of the County Board of Supervisors being in session in at the request of the Orange County Director of Emergency Services.

The Proclamation noted that there had been significant rainfall and it caused flooding, debris flows, mudslides and related damage in the areas burned by the Santiago Fire in October and November 2007.  The weather conditions and the short term weather forecast constitutes conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property in Orange County, the Proclamation said. The conditions are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the County of Orange and require the assistance from other political subdivisions.

The Proclamation is intended to reopen the county’s claim for emergency compensation for damages and expenses related to the Santiago Fire. It will also help county emergency workers in seeking outside help if necessary.

Voluntary evacuations orders remain in force for Modjeska, Williams, and Live Oak Canyons.

The Orange County Fairgrounds (88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa) can accept large animals from residents.  Residents must call ahead to (714) 708-1588 to inform OC Fairgrounds that they are coming and to receive directions about which gate to enter.  Residents are expected to bring any necessary supplies for their large animals.

If residents have any questions, they can call the Orange County Emergency Operations Center hotline at (714) 628-7085.

Mud flows have been reported in Modjeska, Williams, and Live Oak Canyons.

Any residents requiring shelter please contact (714) 628-7085.

To view the proclamation click here: Orange County Local Proclamation Storm May 22 2008.pdf (105.92 kb)

The Orange County Emergency Operations Center is currently monitoring the situation. 

The Register reports:

Torrential rain falling in the canyon areas this afternoon has created mud and debris flows with unconfirmed reports that people are trapped in homes and at a park.

Modjeska, Williams, Live Oak and Trabuco canyons are under mandatory evacuation order as rain continues to fall. About 1,000 people are reportedly affected in these areas. Large animals are to be moved to the Orange County fairgrounds.

"The first reports of mud flows in Modjeska Canyon began at 12:25 p.m.," Orange County Fire authority Capt. Mike Blawn said.

"Williams Canyon is unpassable," Blawn said, "with reports of residents trapped in their homes. Debris is reported to spread from canyon wall-to-canyon wall, but people will be fine if we can get a grader in there."

Read the story and updates here.

Deputies Chris Corn, Sean Scoles and Bert Copeland were underway in a Department fireboat on a routine patrol in early March.

The sea was calm and sky was clear. The weather was warm enough for Deputies Corn and Copeland to wear shorts for the first time this year. Deputy Scoles was still in long trousers; winter is technically still with us. All three know that the relatively quiet winter season will soon end and the busy spring and summer boating season will begin. 

Throughout the year the Department’s Harbor Patrol provides all law enforcement services on the water and they serve as the only marine firefighters in the county. In winter they also provide the services undertaken during the summer by city and state lifeguard boat crews.  If there is a winter rescue  requiring that requires a boat, it is Harbor Patrol responds. 

The patrol area for the Department vessels based in Newport Beach  from the Huntington Beach Pier south to Main Beach in Laguna Beach.  The county is responsible for anything that happens up to three-miles offshore.

In summer, the entrance to Newport Beach harbor is often clogged with boats.

“You name it. We are out here with everything ranging from multi-million dollar vessels to boats that barely float,” said Corn, the senior deputy aboard. More...

Informational flyers are going out to canyon residents living in potential flooding, mudslides and debris flow pathways. The materials, including a magnet backed information sheet with emergency phone numbers is being sent to help them prepare for emergencies, share critical contact information and to properly be aware of planned response actions related to flooding and debris flows.

The mailings were sent last week and are being delivered those living in burn area canyons including, Silverado, Santiago, Modjeska, Williams, Harding, and Trabuco, as well as the Foothill Ranch area. The flyers include an Emergency Preparedness Information Flyer and Emergency Contact Information Magnet.

Phone numbers are here.

For details of the Orange County Santiago Fire Debris Flow Plan More...

Agapito "Gapo" Soto, an information technology consultant for our Department, supports three divisions: Risk Management, the Terrorism Early Warning Group (now OC Intelligence Assessment Center), and the Emergency Communications Bureau. Whenever the communications/media team arrives up at the Emergency Operations Center Gapo is called to help fix whatever computer we've broken.

Here's what the American Staffing Association has to say about Gapo:

Here's the reason why Soto is now National Staffing Employee of the Year: For most people at the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the work day starts at 8 and ends at 4. For Soto, however, the day starts at 7 and ends at 5 or whenever he is no longer needed there. It's that simple. More...

ORANGE COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE # 3

Date: January 27, 2008
Time: 0900

ALL CANYON VOLUNTARY EVACUATION ORDERS REMAIN IN PLACE, EL
MODENA SHELTER CLOSED AND EOC DEACTIVATED.

The National Weather Service Flash Flood Watch has been extended to 8 pm tonight. The
voluntary evacuation orders for Modjeska, Silverado, Williams, and Harding Canyons will
remain in place through the duration of the Flash Flood Watch.

The Red Cross Shelter at El Modena High School at 3920 East Spring Street in Orange will be
closing at 9 am.

The County of Orange will be closing the Emergency Operations Center at 10 am and move to
duty officer status to continue to monitor the situation as it progresses.

Any canyon resident who requires shelter or for storm related information should contact the
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch Center at (714) 647-7000.

ORANGE COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  PRESS RELEASE # 2  Date:  1/25/08

  Time:  1700 hrs
 
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT AND VOLUNTARY RESIDENT AND MANDATORY LARGE ANIMAL  EVACUATION ORDER FOR MODJESKA, HARDING, AND WILLIAMS CANYONS FOR 1200 NOON ON SATURDAY 1/26/08.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Orange County indicating that flash flooding is likely between Midnight Saturday night until Sunday morning. 
Total storm precipitation amounts of 2-4 inches is possible at the coast and 4 to 8 inches on south and southwest facing mountain slopes.   The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Fire Authority, and County Executive Officer have issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents of Modjeska, Harding, Silverado and Williams Canyons to go into effect at 1200, Saturday, 1/26/08. 
A mandatory evacuation order for special needs residents (disabled or impaired, special medical needs, etc.) and large animals (horses, livestock, etc.) to go into effect at 1200, Saturday, 1/26/08. The US Geological Survey has advised that flash flood level rain is capable of producing catastrophic debris flows that can completely destroy homes and roads.  Debris flows can occur without any notice. 
Do not delay evacuating until the rain becomes severe.  Evacuation routes can quickly become impassable due to mud and debris or flooding. If you live on or near recently burned slopes, please take immediate action to protect life and property and continue to monitor local media sources for additional information. 
If your property has been identified as being at moderate to high risk to life in the State BAER report, evacuate immediately. The Orange County Fairgrounds (88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa) can accept large animals from residents.  Residents must call ahead to (714) 708-1588 to inform OC Fairgrounds that they are coming and to receive directions about which gate to enter.  Residents are expected to bring any necessary supplies for their large animals.
A shelter at El Modena High School, located at 3920 East Spring Street in Orange will be opening at 4pm, Saturday 1/26/08. Please be advised that mandatory evacuations of the canyons may be ordered if the National Weather Service issues a Flash Flood Warning.  A Flash Flood Warning means that flash-flooding and debris flows are imminent or occurring.  Be aware that Sheriff’s Deputies will NOT be making door-to-door notifications during a flash flood warning. 
They will utilize a Public Address system as they evacuate themselves from the canyons.  If residents have any questions, they can call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch Center at 714-647-7000.

From the news release:

Due to the approaching rain storm, the National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for Orange County indicating a forecast of heavy rain this Saturday night and Sunday.  Total storm precipitation amounts of 2 inches are possible at the coast and 4 to 6 inches on south and southwest facing mountain slopes.  This heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding and debris flows especially in recently burned areas.

To read more, click here.