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Ventura County Public Works Agency recognizes achievements of first responders for Public Works Week
By Anonymous — Monday, April 27th, 2015
Most of the general public recognize law enforcement, fire personnel, and emergency medical technicians as the first on the scene of a disaster; while few may know, in the case of a natural or man-made disaster, there are a number of first responders on duty and on call every day and night at the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA). In an emergency, Public Works staff works closely with public safety personnel to assess damage to develop and implement responses. For instance, when the announcement of the Camarillo Springs mudslide that impacted numerous homes was made, one of the first emergency responders on the scene was VCPWA Engineering Manager II-County Geologist of Development and Inspection Services, Jim O’Tousa.While observing and trekking around the devastating slide in the pitch black, rainy evening, O’Tousa communicated back to the Fire and Sheriff’s Command Center critical information on areas that were still safe, homes that needed to be evacuated, and areas that were still potentially in harm’s way of the mud flow and geologic areas likely to still be moving and dangerous. While in the field relaying critical information, O’Tousa was also receiving important weather updates by storm hydrologists from the VCPWA Watershed Storm Center, who were tracking the storm and alerting first responders of potential weather and rain conditions that could impact the areas in crisis. VCPWA’s Transportation Department also plays a key role in major disaster events. “The access to and from impacted areas is often damaged or impassable during an emergency response,” explains David Fleisch, Director of VCPWA’s Transportation Department. “As first responders, it is our duty to restore access to roadways for emergency workers and others who need to rescue or evacuate residents and to remove debris to preserve public property.” Public Works personnel were officially added as first responders in 2005 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Public Works personnel also serve as part of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Agency Operations Center (AOC) when activated. VCPWA has emergency plans and response teams in place to respond quickly to emergencies. “We’ve been first responders for many years, often radioing in information critical to fire, earthquake, or landslide event emergencies,” says Herb Schwind, Director of Engineering Services Department. “We might be the silent first responders, but we are there in any emergency.” Being on duty for VCPWA means that the Directors have the “bat phone,” or the active duty phone for a full month,after whichit is handedoff to the next Director. “If there is an earthquake, mudslide, or dangerous flood, the Fire and Sheriff’s office will call the appropriate VCPWA Director, who will then assign the first responders from VCPWA,” explains Janice Turner, Director of Central Services. In addition, on-site safety is a priority in emergency situations. Phil Raba, VCPWA Safety Manager, handles safety for personnel during a crisis and responds to incidents as necessary for safety assessments. “All Public Works employees are first responders, we work together as a team,” says Raba. On Tuesday, May 19, VCPWA Director Jeff Pratt will pay homage to his team of almost 400 employees for Public Works Week Awareness Day, and a special nod to the work of his small team of unsung heroes who are always on call in the event of a natural or man-made tragedy. In addition, VCPWA Director Jeff Pratt will also announce this year’s “Employee of the Year” recipients. From 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the public will be invited to partake in various festivities, as the Government Center parking lot will be filled with VCPWA Department display booths, including heavy equipment for demonstrations, equipment show and tell, and invasive plant presentations. VCPWA staff will also lead activities and hands-on stations that demonstrate the many services provided by the Agency. More than 300 local students will be in attendance for the educational experience. Event info: |
