The Exchange Club of Corona del Mar, which has been supporting community causes in Orange County for 21-years, honored five members of the Department on Thursday.

The five received plaques and kudos from the Club’s Crime Prevention Program.  The club also donated to the Department three large sacks of teddy bears.  They purchased the bears with the proceeds of their recycling program.  The bears are used by deputies when there is a need to comfort a child they encounter when duty takes them to a family crisis.

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens attended the Awards Presentation. Club members, who have given the awards for several years, said it was the clubs first presentation attended by the county sheriff.

“I want to thank your club for honoring our personnel,” Sheriff Hutchens told the group.  “I think you know how much it means to them. As you see, they have brought family members and friends. It means so much, with all the negative press sometimes that we get, it really does my heart good that you are honoring these folks who absolutely everyday do a wonderful job. We appreciate your recognizing what they have done and I know they do. “

“I’m so happy to be Sheriff of Orange County,” she added.  “I’m here to serve you.  My message to you is simple; this is your sheriff’s department.  We’re going to take our direction from you. I’m going to work with these great men and women of this Department and we’re going to make it even better. “

The first presentation was to Deputy Holly Fisher of Harbor Patrol.

Harbor Patrol’s Captain Deana Bergquist said Deputy Fisher was well deserving of the award.  She has been with the Department nearly 19 years and has worked in Harbor for 5 years, serving in all three stations. She is licensed by the Coast Guard to captain a vessel of 100 tons. The license is recognition of her boat handling and navigation competence. It entitles her to wear a pin on her uniform noting the Coast Guard license. Only 16 members of the Department hold the Coast Guard license.

Captain Bergquist noted that the weather on Thursday was  near perfect but when winter comes, the day sky often darkens with storm clouds, gale force winds and waves that break over the jetties and inside the harbor.  When weather conditions turn ugly, some mariners, Captain Bergquist said kindly, “exceed their skill level.”

“Holly has been involved in a number of dangerous situations,” Captain Bergquist said. She told a story that occurred in January. More...

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)

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...

On December 6, 2007, at approximately 4:00 p.m., 8 Reserve Deputy Sheriffs and 11 Professional Services Civilian Responders (PSR’s) from the Search and Rescue Reserve Unit responded to Irvine Regional Park to assist with the evacuations of the canyon areas. Additionally, 4 Reserve Deputy Sheriffs from the Operations Reserve Unit assisted with extra patrols and security at the command post. 

These sworn and non-sworn volunteer personnel left their regular jobs early, on short notice, to volunteer their time to the community via the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. They worked side by side with the paid investigators and deputies for this mission. The Search and Rescue Humvee and other specialized off road vehicles assigned to the Community Services Division were also utilized to assist in the evacuation effort.  

All those who responded to and or coordinated this effort served to make the community safer. Most will get a paycheck for their efforts. The Reserve Deputies and PSR’s served for free. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated volunteer force for these types of emergencies. They are ready, willing and able to respond again if needed this weekend or in the future.

For all press releases related to this event, please click here. 

PRESS RELEASE # 7
Time:  1200
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER DEACTIVATED

As of 12:00 p.m. the Orange County Emergency Operations Center has been deactivated. At this time all evacuation orders have been lifted and the emergency shelter at El Modena High School has been closed. The Orange County Emergency Hotline has also been deactivated.

Residents returning to their homes should travel with caution as roads are still slick and could contain debris.

With heavy rain in the forecast for Saturday evening, Orange County Emergency Services will continue to monitor the situation and alert residents should the rain dictate future evacuations over the weekend. Please monitor your local news and weather service reports for the current weather information and any updates concerning evacuations.

For all press releases related to this event, please click here.

PRESS RELEASE # 6
Time:  1115
SHELTER LOCATION CLOSURE

The shelter location at El Modena High School (3920 Spring St., Orange, CA) is now closed.

As of 10:30 a.m. the Mandatory Evacuations for Modjeska Canyon, Williams Canyon and Silverado Canyon have been lifted.  Residents returning to their homes should travel with caution as roads are still slick and could contain debris.

With heavy rain in the forecast for Saturday evening, the Orange County Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor the situation and alert residents should the rain dictate future evacuations over the weekend. Please monitor your local news and weather service reports for the current weather information and any updates concerning evacuations.

If you have an emergency, please call 911.

PRESS RELEASE # 5
Time:  1030
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS LIFTED

As of 10:30 a.m. the Mandatory Evacuations for Modjeska Canyon, Williams Canyon and Silverado Canyon have been lifted.  Residents returning to their homes should travel with caution as roads are still slick and could contain debris.

With heavy rain in the forecast for Saturday evening, the Orange County Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor the situation and alert residents should the rain dictate future evacuations over the weekend. Please monitor your local news and weather service reports for the current weather information and any updates concerning evacuations.

If you have questions you can call the Orange County hotline at (714) 628-7085.

If you have an emergency, please call 911.

Here's a map with current evacuation information: View Larger Map 

PRESS RELEASE # 3
Time:  1445
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS FOR CANYON RESIDENTS

Mandatory evacuations are ordered for residents living in the areas of Modjeska Canyon, Williams Canyon and Silverado Canyon beginning at 5:00 p.m.  Residents will have access to their homes to retrieve necessary items and pets until approximately 8:00 p.m.  At 8:00 p.m. access to the Canyons will be restricted.

Residents will not be forced to leave their homes, however, anyone choosing not to evacuate does so at their own risk.

An evacuation center has been set up at El Modena High School, located at 3920 East Spring Street in Orange.

If you have questions please call the Orange County hotline at 714-628-7085.

If you have an emergency please call 911.

For a complete update and all press releases please click here.

For additional press releases and information on the Winter Storm Event - December 6, 2007, please click here.

PRESS RELEASE # 2
Time:  1220
TEMPORARY SHELTERS AVAILABLE FOR ANIMALS EVACUATED FROM THE CANYONS

Orange County Animal Care Services (ACS) will accept domestic animals from the evacuated areas at the Orange County Animal Care Center, 561 The City Drive in Orange. Animal owners are asked to bring identification, vet information, and any special foods or medicines along with their animals in order to ensure their animals receive appropriate care and they can be reunited with their animals when the evacuation is over.

General information about Orange County Animal Care Services is available on their website at www.ocpetinfo.com or by calling (714) 935-6848.

The Orange County Fairgrounds has the capacity for up to 100 head of livestock.  Residents who need to evacuate large animals and livestock are directed to go to Gate 5 at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

Livestock, other than horses, will also be sheltered at Orange High School, 525 N. Shaffer St., Orange.

General information about Orange County Animal Care Services is available on their website at www.ocpetinfo.com or by calling (714) 935-6848.

The Silverado Library will close at 5 p.m. today rather than at 6 p.m. due to the mandatory evacuation. It is closed, as always, on Friday. No decision has been made on whether to reopen on Saturday.

PRESS RELEASE # 1
Time:  1100
ORANGE COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER AND PUBLIC INFORMATION HOTLINES ACTIVATED

The County of Orange activated and staffed the Emergency Operations Center with County agency representatives at 1100 hours on December 6, 2007.  The Public Information Hotline has been staffed and is ready to accept calls of inquiry in regard to evacuations in the Canyon communities of Orange County.

The Public Information Hotline phone number is (714) 628-7085.  All resources and support personnel have been identified and are on standby ready to mobilize other areas of the Emergency Operations Center when needed.

Due to the prediction of heavy rain and the danger of mudslides in the area of the Santiago Fire, the following orders and advisories are in effect.

Mandatory evacuation of large animals is ordered at 1100 hours for Modjeska, Silverado and Williams Canyons. The Orange County Fairgrounds has been designated as a reception area for evacuated large animals.

Voluntary evacuations for residents are in effect at 1100 hours for Modjeska, Silverado and Williams Canyons. An evacuation center has been set up at El Modena High School, located at 3920 East Spring Street in Orange.

Mandatory evacuations for residents of Modjeska, Silverado and Williams Canyons will take effect at 1700 hours.

If you have questions please call the Orange County hotline at 714-628-7085.