Sign Up For CERT Early!

Big Bear, Ca, January 26, 2012, 12:00pm – The Big Bear Fire Departments are offering Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) courses from April 2^nd till the 6^th.  The CERT program is designed to train members of the community as emergency service volunteers. Once trained, CERT volunteers respond to disaster situations by fanning out within their neighborhood putting out small fires, turning off natural gas inlets to damaged homes, performing light search and rescue, and administering basic first aid. Area Representatives and Team Leaders have been established throughout Big Bear Valley but more participation is still needed. As many residents know, Big Bear Valley has seen fires, floods, and earthquakes. Local fire agencies want everyone to be prepared and well trained for disaster situations. The CERT program is a series of five courses, four hours each, providing hands-on training in Emergency Preparedness, Medical Aids, Fire Suppression Techniques, Light Search and Rescue, and Communications. Classes take place April 2^nd through April 6^th, which is a Monday trough Friday from 6pm till 10pm at night at the Paradise Training Facility located at 417 Grenfall in Big Bear City.  Classes fill up quickly so register early by calling the fire department at 866-4668.

Chief Jim Johnstone To Lead Mountain Division

San Bernardino, CA, January 20, 2012, noon - San Bernardino County Fire Division Chief Jim Johnstone has taken the helm as Division Chief of the Mountain Region (Division 4), overseeing fire and emergency medical response, and rescue operations. Division 4 covers over 600 square miles of vegetation-covered mountains, foothills and valleys. County Fire works closely with the mountain community through the Fire Safe Councils and the multi-agency Mountain Area Safety Taskforce. Johnstone currently oversees the Valley Region (Division 1) and will continue to do so.  Division 1 encompasses all unincorporated areas of the San Bernardino Valley as well as the Cities of Fontana and Grand Terrace. Before his promotion, Chief Johnstone was a Battalion Chief in the North Desert region.  He began his career with the San Bernardino County Fire Department in 1985 as a Firefighter Paramedic in Lake Arrowhead. He served as the Technical Rescue Coordinator for the Mountain Division and as a Rescue Team Manager on County Fire’s Regional Taskforce 6.

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Fire Level Has Been Increased To Very High: Fire Restrictions Elevated

Big Bear, Ca, January 13, 2012, 4:00pm - The US Forest Service has elevated the fire danger level to very high due to the dry, warm weather the San Bernardino County and other areas have been experiencing.  Fire Danger increases with the unseasonable warmer, drier weather along with persistent Santa Ana wind conditions.  Fire officials are closely monitoring the weather and fuel conditions, adjusting staffing levels, and increasing or lowering fire use restrictions as deemed necessary. The following fire restrictions and guidelines are now in effect on the San Bernardino National Forest areas:  Wood and charcoal fires are permitted only in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds and within agency provided fire rings or camp stoves.  Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites.  Recreational shooting is limited to Public Shooting Ranges operated under special use permit only, except those engaged in legal hunting. An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes. These include chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles.  Smoking is limited to an enclosed vehicle or building, or within a Developed Recreation Site. And as always, fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest. The US Forest Service will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions.  Forest visitors are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and call ahead to the Big Bear Ranger Station to check on location conditions and restrictions at (909) 382-2790

Brush Fire Temporarily Closes Portion of Highway 18 Near Crestline

Big Bear, Ca, January 13, 2012, 9:40am - A portion of Highway 18 in the Crestline area was temporarily closed this morning due to a vehicle going over the side of the road near Panorama Point.  The accident caused a brush fire to start at approximately 11:30pm last night.  Highway 18 is closed in both directions from 40^th Street to Highway 138, the Crestline Cutoff.  Fire crews are on scene working to contain and extinguish the small brush fire.  Caltrans will open all lanes except the #2 down bound lane for a two mile stretch around Panorama Point later today. Motorists are advised to use Highway 330 or Highway138 as alternate routes to avoid the closure this morning.

Community Emergency Response Team Presents Awards To Members

Big Bear Lake, CA, Friday, December 16, 2011, noon - The Big Bear Valley Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) presented awards to members at their recent holiday party. Norma Grimes was recognized as Volunteer of the Year and presented with a plaque for her dedication and many hours spent compiling CERT member’s hours, keeping track of the changing status of members, and information on incoming members.  Also recognized with a plaque was Art Langer was recognized for his four years of active membership as President, Vice President and Treasurer with over 600 volunteer hours in the program.   Bob Kawka was recognized for his chairmanship as Training Coordinator for the last four years.  With his committee they set up all the monthly training classes and the annual field exercises.  The next Big Bear Valley CERT meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2011 at 6:00 pm at the Big Bear Senior Center.

Fire Departments Take Step Forward To Becoming One

Big Bear, Ca, December 15, 2011, 12:00pm - The Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District met this morning for their regularly scheduled meeting, and continued to move forward with the merging process.  The board approved the consolidation of fire department administrative services as prescribed within the phase one of the local plan to merge.  The board also authorized a “Cross Hire” concept in which each department will cross hire the neighboring departments employees into part time positions, which will increase the labor pool for both organizations and will be considered the first step towards work force integration.  Fire Chief Jeff Willis expressed his appreciation towards both departments.  The Big Bear City Community Services District met last week, and approved the same items.  This is one more step toward Big Bear City and Big Bear Lake Fire merging into one entity.

Holiday Safety Tips To Remember

San Bernardino, CA, December 9, 2011, noon – With the increase in fire risk presented by Christmas trees, the San Bernardino County Fire Department offers these holiday safety tips: make sure electric holiday lights are intact and that cords are not frayed; artificial trees should be made of fireproof materials; natural trees should have a fresh, one-inch cut at the base to eliminate sap and allow the tree to absorb water; it is important to water natural trees daily as they can absorb up to a gallon of water each day; mini-lights on a tree produce less heat, but all lights should be turned off when you leave the house or go to bed; and do not overload electrical circuits. Christmas trees should be placed away from heat sources, and these include heating vents, televisions, sunny windows and fireplaces. If you rearrange the furniture to accommodate your holiday tree, be sure that it’s not positioned too close to heat sources. And, finally, never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove, as it will burn too fast and could be explosive.

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Phone Scammers Hit Harder During Holiday Season. Protect Yourself

Big Bear, Ca, December 8, 2011, 1:00pm - Big Bear Valley Residents should take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from scams asking for personal information.  Recently residents in the Big Bear Valley have been called by people posing as their bank, and have been asked to give out personal bank information.  According to Public Information Officer for the Big Bear Sheriffs Station, Tiffany Swantek, scams like these go in cycles, and tend to become more frequent around the holiday season.  Scammers tend to target the elderly, so residents who have senior relatives in the valley, should remind them to never give out personal information on the telephone.  The Big Bear Sheriffs Station has the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of a scam: 

• Discard any solicitation that asks for payment for a “free” gift.  If it’s free, or a gift, you shouldn’t have to pay.
• Never give your credit card number or personal, financial or employment information unless you know who you are talking to.
• Discard any solicitation that doesn’t clearly identify the company and its street address and phone number.
• Pay particular attention if you’re asked to call a toll-free number for more information about a project or service.  Often, when you dial what you think is a toll-free number in response to a bogus solicitation, you are secretly connected to a pay-per-call 900 number.  In such case, you will be paying to listen to a sales pitch for a product, service, prize, contest or sweepstakes.
• Discard any solicitation that looks like a government document and suggests contest winnings or unclaimed assets are yours for a small fee.  The government does not solicit money from citizens.
• Discard any solicitation for a “prepaid” or “special deal” with a nominal monthly “processing fee.”  You’ll save yourself years of monthly payments for products or services you no longer want or could pay less for elsewhere.
• If you order something advertised through a mail solicitation, keep a record of the order, a copy of the advertisement, canceled check, receipt, letters and envelope.
• If you do not wish to be called by telemarketers, ask that your telephone number be removed from their phone lists.  The Federal Trade Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule gives you the power to stop unwanted telemarketing calls.
• Deal only with companies or charities whose reputation and integrity are known.
• Register your phones on the Federal Do-Not-Call List:  (888) 382-1222 www.donotcall.gov

Prevent Your Pipes From Breaking This Winter

Big Bear, Ca, December 6, 2011, 9:00am - With below freezing temperatures this past week, the Big Bear Lake Department of Water and Power has had 15 calls from valley residents in the last week, in which all of the callers experienced pipe breaks, cracks or leaks due to the freezing temperatures.  To avoid leaking or bursting pipes, the Department of Water and Power reminds valley residents to drain your pipes in the winter months when you will be away from your residence for an extended time.  Winterizing, as they call it, will help your pipes from freezing, and in turn leaking or bursting.  To drain your water, find your stop and waste valve, which is located between your house and water meter, and use it any time you leave your house for an extended period of time to drain your water lines, and remember to also shut your water off.  If you are experiencing a small leak, call a plumber, however if you are finding an excess of water in your home, call the DWP, as they need to see if the freezing temperatures compromised your pipes, and caused a large leak or crack.  The DWP can be reached at 909 866 5050, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You can also find complete information on how to winterize your home online at www.bbldwp.com.

CSD Meeting To Discuss Apprentice Fire Fighter Program

Big Bear, Ca, December 5, 2011, 3:00pm - The Big Bear City Community Services District will hold its regular meeting tonight at 5:30pm, at the CSD offices, located on Big Bear Blvd, near Greenway Drive.  On the agenda, the board will assign the Chief Board Advisor, with the following duties: to research alternative investment opportunities and actuarial recommendations for retiree health benefits.  The board will also discuss and possibly approve an Apprentice Fire Fighter Program; in which paid call firefighters would apply to be in the program that would be a position for three years, in which they would work to become a full time fire fighter.  According to Fire Chief Jeff Willis, other fire departments have similar programs in place and have seen good results.  The CSD Board will also go into closed session, and will discuss the appointment processes for the Water Superintendent and the General Manager.  The public is encouraged to attend the meeting and may speak during public comment time.

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