emergencies

The South lake Tahoe Fire Department will provide a first responder training class called STAT; South Tahoe Action Teams, this Thursday, September 3rd. STAT is modeled after CERT; Community Emergency Response Team, held in other cities.

This program is designed to incorporate trained citizens in the field with the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department and other first responders during times of crisis. This is the first program of its kind in the Tahoe Basin.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Jeff Meston made a presentation Tuesday, asking for an alteration to the Cal Tahoe JPA agreement for City provided ambulance services.

Meston wants the City to remain a part of the JPA, but hand over ambulance duties to Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD).

Off-road enthusiasts will be flocking to the Rubicon Trail once again this summer, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) team will be there to keep it safe.

The mission of the team is to provide education to the public, maintain the family friendly atmosphere and when necessary, use enforcement to support that education. In its fifteenth year on the Rubicon Trail, the OHV team is again helmed by Sergeant Bryan Brown and staffed with one full-time seasonal deputy and eight part-time deputies who work the OHV team, in addition to their usual duties.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department will be hosting the second session of STAT: South Tahoe Action Teams from April 2 to April 23.

STAT is designed to incorporate trained citizens in the field with the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department and other first responders during times of crisis. This is the second session for this innovative programs, the first of its kind in the Tahoe Basin.

Learning how to respond to aquatic emergencies is the focus of two American Red Cross Lifeguard training sessions being offered in South Lake Tahoe over the next few months.

Participants must be at least 15 years of age, be able to swim 300 yards continuously while demonstrating breathing control and rhythmic breathing, tread water for two minutes using the legs only, and complete a timed event. The class includes 7 hours and 25 minutes of online learning and 20 hours of hands-on instruction.

Raley’s has agreed to pay nearly $1.6 million in civil penalties, costs and funding for environmental projects as part of a settlement related to allegations of improperly disposing hazardous waste.

The judgment is the culmination of a civil enforcement lawsuit filed in San Joaquin County to stop the West Sacramento-based supermarket chain from unlawfully transporting and disposing of retail hazardous waste, according to a press release from at least two of the 25 district attorneys who announced the suit.

The settlement was approved by San Joaquin Superior Court Judge Bob McNatt.

The power outage that hit the whole south shore last week was the perfect example on why all residents should make sure their cell phones are their contact number for Reverse 911, a system in place that will alert you in the case of an emergency.

Before this week many residents had just their land lines posted on the Reverse 911 system and they didn't receive the warnings because of the lack of electricity in their homes.

Lake Tahoe is now home to the Tallac Hotshots, a select force of 20 wildland firefighters from the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU).

The group completed a demanding and extensive certification process on June 19, making them the first Interagency Hotshot Crew from Lake Tahoe.

Formerly the Tallac Hand Crew, the Tallac Hotshots join an exclusive group of roughly 2,000 firefighters across the country.

A year and a half road construction project will result in the closure of Kingsbury Grade for almost 75 days this year and more in 2015. Since this will have an impact on local businesses, residents and commuters, a forum was held on Wednesday in order to inform the community about the impact.

A full house was on hand in the TahoeChamber conference room to listen to representatives from Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and the road construction company.

My daughter and I had been planning our annual Apple Hill trek for several days when I decided to change it up a bit. Since my free time is so rare I figured why not include a visit to our favorite little town Sutter Creek? And then, since we're doing that, might as well throw in a drive down beautiful Highway 4! Since the portion of the road we'll be covering is closed after the first big snow we had to do it! The day was plotted on a map in my head with some verification on google maps. The map said our little trip was going to take 5 hours and 10 minutes and cover 225 miles.

Barton Women’s Health welcomes Kenneth Spielvogel, M.D., obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN), to their care team. Dr. Spielvogel and the entire women’s health team, including, OB/GYN, John Missanelli and long-time, Barton Health, family nurse practitioner, Patience Wenck will host a public open house reception on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Just across from Barton Memorial Hospital, at 2175 South Avenue, South Lake Tahoe, the newly remodeled women’s facility, will open its doors from 4 to 6 p.m.

Women have a new choice for their health care in South Lake Tahoe with the grand opening of Barton Women’s Health offering obstetrics, gynecological and infertility services. OB/GYN physician, John Missanelli, DO, joins longtime family nurse practitioner, Patience Wenck, MSN, at Barton Women’s Health which opens on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Conveniently located across from Barton Memorial Hospital and Barton’s Family Birthing Center at 2175 South Avenue, Barton Women’s Health features a newly remodeled office. Barton Women’s Health offers complete women’s care services including:

UPDATE 11:10AM: The Douglas County Emergency Management has implemented a precautionary action plan for this weekend’s weather event. The Management team met this morning and discussed the event thus far. The major event has been a downed tree on Centerville Road, but has since been removed.

A series of drills simulating emergencies such as extreme weather, power outages, aircraft mishaps, lost climbers and transportation issues will be performed this weekend as part of operation Green Light organized by the Nevada Division of Emergency Management and the the Department of Homeland Security.
Operation Green Light will further develop and strengthen regional partnerships and enhance emergency preparedness, response, and prevention capabilities, according to Nevada Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Gail Powell.

Douglas County Search and Rescue will soon be holding another training academy and the team is looking for energetic men and women to join the organization.
DCSAR is a volunteer unit within the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. DCSAR responds to assistance calls for lost or injured persons in the mountains, desert, backcountry, and waterways of Douglas and surrounding counties. DCSAR also provides emergency assistance during natural disasters and large public safety emergencies.

Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Week runs through June 3. A Webinar Series on developing fire adapted communities at Lake Tahoe has been launched. Communities located in fire-prone area are fire adapted when they require little assistance from firefighters during a wildfire. Residents accept responsibility for living in a high fire-hazard area. They possess the knowledge and skills to prepare their homes and property to survive wildfire and they know how to evacuate early, safely and effectively.

The City of South Lake Tahoe Police Department has received complaints regarding the noise from the SnowGlobe Music Festival, which has tied up emergency phone lines. The police department needs all lines open for emergency calls only, especially during this New Year’s Eve weekend. City officials are notifying all local residents to keep the lines clear for emergency calls only.