Preparation for storms urged, SPFD commended for Valley Fire
January 15, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Santa Paula is preparing to weather the coming storms of El Nino the City Council learned at the January 4 meeting just days before the first weather events occurred.
The council also learned that the Santa Paula Fire Department had been commended for their mutual response to the 2015 Valley Fire.
City Manager Jaime Fontes said staff is “Watching the news of El Nino very carefully,” as are other city and county leaders.
Particularly under watch he added are Camarillo Springs and other areas where fires destroyed brush leaving bare hillsides; Camarillo Springs has already suffered two slides of debris and mud leaving 10 houses damaged with several red tagged.
“We’ve given out a huge, huge amount of sandbags,” so residents can prepare, said Fire Chief Rick Araiza, “We have been busy preparing for the rains,” of the “next few storms coming” that were forecast for the week.
Even after the city gave away 50 tons of sand and 5,000 sandbags in a do-it-yourself event on Saturday January 2, he said residents are still preparing.
“We went through 32 tons of sand and bags just today,” at Fire Station 81.
Araiza cautioned residents to be prepared: “At this point the gutter should be cleaned and drains ready to go,” in anticipation of storm activity.
The city, he added, is taking extra cautionary measures due to the projected rainfalls.
“We took a roll of off duty,” city personnel and created a list of responders in case of an emergency.
More preparations include additional El Nino information on the city website and regular updates. Residents are being urged to have emergency kits and remember safety tips such as not trying to cross running water on foot or in a vehicle.
The motto for safety during the upcoming storms is “Turn Around, Don’t Drown…”
With personnel changes in the fire department as well as the projected weather events Araiza said there would be a “simulated El Nino drill right here in City Hall,” on January 14 to fine-tune emergency response.
“We will simulate some flooding,” that could hit trouble spots in the city and coordinate with the Santa Paula Unified School District.
Araiza also told the council that the Santa Paula Fire Department received a commendation for their mutual aid on one of the worst fires of 2015.
Santa Paula Fire responded as mutual aid to the Valley Fire that destroyed more than almost 1,300 homes in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties.
The fire, that broke out September 12, 2015, burned more than 76,000 acres. Four people were killed during the blaze.
Araiza said the commendation was to “Thank us for our participation,” in fighting the Valley Fire.said Mayor Martin Hernandez, “Pass on to our rank and file,” that their work is appreciated, said Mayor Martin Hernandez.
