THE VALLEJO WEEKLY VOLUME 8, ISSUE 27 | OCTOBER 8, 2020
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK October 4-10 is National Fire Prevention week! This year’s theme is: Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen! Ensure that you and your loved ones have a plan in case there’s a fire or similar emergency in your home. Practice an escape plan, and ensure everyone in your household knows at least two ways out. It’s also important that your family have a plan for where to meet if you do need to evacuate your home. A neighbors yard works as a great meeting point for fires isolated to just your home, but larger scale wildfires may require you to meet up at a friend’s home in a neighboring town. For more information about Fire Prevention Week, click here. Be sure to follow the Vallejo Fire Department on Facebook for more safety tips!
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
WILDLAND SAFETY Throughout California, wildfires will continue to be fueled by a build-up of seasonal dry vegetation driven by extreme dry conditions and local strong winds, making brush fuels extremely dangerous and challenging for firefighters. The Vallejo Fire Department stands ready to quickly respond and contain wildfires, but we can't do this without your cooperation. The "Ready! Set! Go!" brochure is intended to provide valuable information on being prepared in the event of an immediate evacuation order due to an emergency like a brush fire. The "Defensible Space" brochure provides critical information on proper protecting your family and property associated with the threat of wildland fires.
Both brochures can be downloaded and referred to for preplanning and preparation. Please take the time to learn how to create and maintain a defensible space around your property and how to harden your home against flying embers. You play the most important role in protecting your family and home in the event of wildland fires evacuations and other significant emergencies. Prepare yourself by taking the necessary steps to give you, your family, and property the best chance of surviving a devastating wildfire. For additional information, please visit the Fire Department's website.
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While COVID-19 has brought many uncertainties and challenges, one thing's for sure: ShakeOut is still happening this year. International ShakeOut Day is always the third Thursday of October, this year it is October 15.
As always, you can hold your #ShakeOut drill when and where you want. You can choose another date or several dates, and include people in multiple locations (home, work, or school), perhaps through video conferencing. It's a good idea to practice earthquake safety in different situations each year, and ShakeOut Organizers are here to support you. For more information ShakeOut, click here.
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about
the
OCTOBER 8, 2020
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
The Great California ShakeOut is an annual opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes: "Drop, Cover and Hold On." The ShakeOut has also been organized to encourage you, your community, your school, or your organization to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies, and to secure your space in order to prevent damage and injuries. ShakeOut is also a reminder for Californians to be prepared financially, such as by exploring earthquake insurance. The not-for-profit California Earthquake Authority offers earthquake insurance throughout California for homeowners, renters, mobile home owners and condo-unit owners.
VALLEJO POLICE DEPARTMENT ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY TO GET TO KNOW YOUR OFFICERS Recently, the Vallejo Police Department (VPD) introduced Officer Hernandez in the first of its Feature Fridays series on social media to help our community get to know more about VPD members and personnel. Officer Hernandez has been a Vallejo resident for 19 years and began her career as a Cadet in 2010 and says what she loves most about being an officer is “lending a helping hand.” Pre-COVID, her favorite pastime was playing soccer. Today, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. Thank you for your service Officer Hernandez!
PERSONNEL
Follow the VPD on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more news and information!
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The City of Vallejo is pleased to offer the following employment opportunities: - Administrative Analyst I/II (Extra Help) - Police Cadet - Police Officer (Entry - Academy Graduate) - Police Officer (Lateral) - Police Officer (Recruit) Visit governmentjobs.com/careers/vallejo for more information and to apply.
PERSONNEL
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OCTOBER 8, 2020
DEPARTMENTS IN ACTION
GLASS FIRE UPDATE Five Vallejo firefighters have been assigned to the Glass Fire since September 28. During that time, their assignments have lead to the preservation of several homes and properties, as well as the improvement of containment lines mostly along the western edge of the fire. Each year, Vallejo participates in California’s master mutual aid matrix, providing resources and personnel to fires and other large scale emergencies across the state. As fire seasons have grown longer and more destructive, this state-wide mutual aid program has proven just how important the rapid deployment of emergency personnel is. For the most current information on the Glass Fire, click here.
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VALLEJO POLICE DEPARTMENT ISSUES STATEMENT ON INTERNAL SWASTIKA INVESTIGATION Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams was recently asked about an internal investigation within the Vallejo Police Department involving a swastika and issued the following response: “After receiving numerous complaints from VPD employees, it was brought to my attention that a VPD employee’s communications contained the image of a swastika. Following a preliminary review of the matter, I ordered an outside investigation into the incident, which is currently in progress.” “Racism will not be tolerated in our department, a swastika is a universal symbol of hate and racism and is not accepted here. Anyone who would imply or suggest otherwise is tone deaf and dishonors the memories and lives of millions of Jewish people and others who died during the Holocaust; they dishonor thousands of innocent Americans who have been lynched and murdered in America and they devalue the suffering and struggles that our country is facing today. Swastikas and other hate symbols of racism have no place in American Policing today. When we talk about making a shift in culture that is rooted in equity and justice, this is the type of behavior we cannot turn a blind eye to.” Click here to view the press release.
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OCTOBER 8, 2020
DEPARTMENTS IN ACTION
Vallejo Firefighters assist Cal Fire with a firing operation. The backfire operation seen here helps remove flammable vegetation ahead of the main fire, creating a more conducive environment for containing the main fire.
OPERATION PEACE CONTINUES TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE CITY OF VALLEJO Operation PEACE continues to make an impact in the City of Vallejo!
PROGRAM & PROJECT UPDATES
Last month, officers made a number of additional recoveries that contributed to more guns and drugs off the street. During a warrant service operation, officers yielded 24 felony arrests, clearing 30 outstanding warrants. We would like to thank our local, state, and federal partners for their assistance during this operation. Click here to learn more about the guns and drugs removed from our streets!
VALLEJO POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASES DUI CHECKPOINT RESULTS On September 30, the Vallejo Police Department (VPD) held a DUI Checkpoint at the intersection of Fairgrounds Drive and Gateway Drive in the City of Vallejo. The checkpoint was administered from 6:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. and yielded the following results: 450 Drivers Screened for DUI & valid driver’s licenses 4 vehicles impounded 13 drivers cited for driving with a suspended/ revoked license or no license issued 1 cited for walking in the roadway and impeding traffic No arrests were made Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Vallejo Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Remember to drive safely and responsibly or don't drive at all! Click here to see the full press release.
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On September 1, the Department of Defense's Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program resumed construction at the Mare Island Preserve and Naval Cemetery. For safety reasons, the work requires a closure of the Preserve until the project is complete. The IRT project includes grading, installation of drainage systems, minor restoration of burial sites, and fence repair throughout the Naval Cemetery and Preserve. While it was originally anticipated the Preserve would reopen to the public on October 9, the closure has been extended through November 10, as construction is still ongoing, and public safety is the City's primary concern. It is now anticipated the Preserve will reopen to the public on November 13, resuming the Friday through Sunday limited schedule. Major Hayes, who is overseeing the IRT's operations, is hopeful that the continued work throughout October will be sufficient to fully prepare the Naval Cemetery for the rededication ceremony on Veteran's Day. The City of Vallejo closed the Mare Island Preserve in October 2019 after a series of wildfires burned over 40 acres. Since the fire, City staff has addressed various wildfire-related issues on the open space, including shoring up burned areas and addressing safety issues resulting from severe fire damage. The IRT suspended their work in March 2020 due to COVID-19, and the Preserve was reopened in May for limited public access every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can learn more about the project by watching the City Council meeting link here. For more information Mare Island Preserve, please click here. PAGE 9
OCTOBER 8, 2020
PROGRAM & PROJECT UPDATES
MARE ISLAND PRESERVE AND NAVAL CEMETERY CLOSURE EXTENDED
COMMUNITY
VETERAN’S DAY CEREMONY On Wednesday, November 11, beginning at 11:00 a.m., the public will gather to honor those who have served our country at the historic Mare Island Naval Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be limited seating for 75 guests. Tickets are by reservation only, beginning Friday, October 9 at 8:00 a.m., on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve, please go to Eventbrite Tickets. Tickets are limited to six seats maximum per order. Please send inquiries to Shelee Loughmiller, Community and Volunteer Coordinator at Shelee.Loughmiller@cityofvallejo.net or (707) 648-8616.
SUBSCRIBE TO ALERT SOLANO EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS In order to receive important messages during emergencies, the City of Vallejo urges local residents who live, work, play, or travel through Solano County to sign up for its emergency alert system. Alert Solano efficiently delivers messages and information during incidents and emergencies as they occur via email, cell phone, and/or text messaging. To register, click here.
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COVID-19 continues to pose a severe risk to communities and requires all people in California to follow necessary precautions and to adapt the way they live and function in light of this ongoing risk. This guidance provides direction on usage of outdoor playgrounds and outdoor recreational facilities in order to support a safe environment for children and families. It applies to outdoor playgrounds located in parks, campgrounds, and other publicly accessible locations. This guidance does not apply to indoor playgrounds or family entertainment centers. 1. Face masks over the mouth and nose are required for everyone 2 years of age or older with caregiver supervision at all times to ensure face mask use. 2. Do not use the playground when different households are unable to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or when the capacity limit has been reached. 3. Caregivers must monitor to keep adults and children from different households at least 6 feet apart. 4. Consider coming on different times or days to avoid wait times and potential crowded times. 5. No eating or drinking in playground, to ensure face masks are worn at all times. 6. Wash or sanitize hands before and after using the playground. 7. Elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions should avoid playground when others are present. 8. Limit visit to 30 minutes per day when others are present To read the full guidelines, click here.
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OCTOBER 8, 2020
COMMUNITY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES GUIDANCE FOR PLAYGROUNDS
VALLEJO NEWS
PSPS PREPARATION Are you prepared for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)? Visit pge.com/pspsupdates, and learn what you can do today, to prepare for a future PSPS outage. Subscribe to alerts, lookup your address, view an outage map, apply for the PG&E Medical Baseline Program if you depend on power for a medical necessity, and more.
PG&E “WATCH” AND “WARNING” NOTIFICATIONS In response to direct customer feedback requesting more information as soon as possible, to ensure they have time to prepare and plan in advance of a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event, PG&E will provide Watch and Warning notifications this year.
For more information, click here.
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PG&E CONTRIBUTES $250,000 TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS With 2020 already among the most destructive fire seasons on record, with more than 8,100 fires burning 3.8 million acres in California since January, PG&E’s and the Foundation’s contributions will focus on wildfire response, recovery and relief programs. These donations come either from shareholder funds or The PG&E Corporation Foundation, not PG&E customers. As part of this total commitment, today PG&E announced it will contribute $250,000 to 20 community organizations. The funding will support: nonprofits responding to food insecurity in vulnerable communities already impacted this wildfire season; local community foundations providing immediate relief to displaced and impacted residents; and volunteer fire departments. These non-profit include:
“As these devastating wildfires continue to upend lives and communities, we all have a responsibility to help lift up our neighbors during these trying times. PG&E is grateful for the work of various community organizations helping residents get back on their feet. We’re proud to support these groups, and we’ll continue to look for ways to lend a helping hand,” said Bill Smith, Interim CEO of PG&E Corporation. To read the full press release, click here.
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OCTOBER 8, 2020
VALLEJO NEWS
Council on Aging Services for Seniors (Sonoma County) Highlands Senior Service Center Inc (Clearlake Senior Center, Lake County) Coastal Seniors, Inc. (Mendocino County) Whistlestop (Marin) Area 1 Agency on Aging (Humboldt county) UpValley Family Center (Napa county) Napa Valley Community Foundation (Napa county) Solano Community Foundation (Solano county)
DMV EXTENDS EXPIRING COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSES California commercial drivers can continue delivering essential products and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic without worrying about an expiring license following a new round of extensions today by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. In accordance with updated guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the DMV is issuing an extension through December 31, 2020, to all commercial driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and endorsements expiring between March and December 31, 2020. While the extension is automatic, eligible commercial drivers will not receive a new card or an extension in the mail. As an option, beginning October 5, 2020, they can request a free temporary paper extension online to document their extension, though one is not needed to drive. Commercial drivers who previously requested an extension through September 30, 2020, may submit a new request to document the new expiration date.
VALLEJO NEWS
Current, valid CDL and Commercial License Permit holders whose medical certifications expire on or after March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020 have an extension until October 31, 2020, and those expiring June 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 have an extension until December 31, 2020, to obtain and submit a new, valid medical certificate. The DMV continues to recommend that customers use its online services, expanded virtual services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. Customers can use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.
To read the full press release, click here.
COVID19 TESTING Help protect yourself and the people around you by getting tested for COVID-19. Public health officials globally are working together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding access to reliable screening is critical to containment efforts. For more information about getting tested, visit the following sites: Project Baseline, CVS Pharmacy, OptumServe. For updated information on COVID-19, NorthBay Healthcare holds weekly Facebook Lives, Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. During Live Chat general questions will be answered from the public by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Seth Kaufman. To visit NorthBay Healthcare on Facebook, click here.
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RIDE FREE ON ELECTION DAY
“All Rides are free November 3rd, whether it’s to the polls, work, or the store. But we hope our riders will vote, too. This year, no matter how you choose to cast your vote, access to transportation should not be a barrier. We are happy to provide passengers safe transportation to and from the polls.” Said Mandi Renshaw, SolTrans Public information Officer. To find your Solano County polling place and check your voter status, click here. For help planning your trip, call Solano Mobility at 800-535-6883 and be ready to provide the starting address and the address of the polling place you will be traveling to. Customers can also plan a trip with SolTrans’ trip planner, available on the home page of SolTrans.org.
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OCTOBER 8, 2020
VALLEJO NEWS
Solano County Transit (SolTrans) will offer free rides on all Local and Paratransit services on Election Day, November 3. It is their commitment to offer free rides this election day to allow the community access to the polls. Reservations are required for Paratransit service, please follow normal protocol to book a Paratransit trip on November 3.
VALLEJO NEWS
FALL-TOBER WITH GVRD GVRD will host events in October to celebrate Halloween. For more information about these events, contact (707)648-5267 or visit GVRD.org. Family Pumpkin Carving Contest Receive a free pumpkin carving kit from GVRD and enter into their carving contest by pre-registering for one. The kit will include one large pumpkin, carving kit, activities and pumpkin contest rules. Carve, paint, embellish, or decorate your pumpkin with the whole family. To enter into the contest, post a photo on Facebook or Instagram using GVRD’s hashtag #GVRDBOO20. There is a limit to one entry per family and winners will be announced on November 2. Pick-ups can be scheduled between October 26 to October 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 395 Amador Street. Deliveries can be scheduled for October 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Vallejo only. Boo! Drive & Dash GVRD invites the community to enjoy Halloween festivities on October 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 395 Amador Street. Dress the kids up and bring them by to see the spooky Halloween decorations and lights, as well as local community organizations. At the end of the parade of lights, each child will receive a boo box of treats to enjoy, while supplies last. To enter the costume contest, post a photo through Facebook or Instagram using hashtag #GVRDBOO20, winners will be contacted November 2. Virtual Pup’kin Patch GVRD will host their second annual pup’kin patch pooch parade and costume contest through Zoom on October 31 at 10:00 a.m. (Please note the zoom call will be recorded to share on their Facebook page) Each participant will have 2 minutes to show off their pet to the rest of the participants and share a bit about them. Winners will be announced on November 2. Registration is required before 3:00 p.m. on October 30. Send an email of the pet in costume with your name and pet’s name to cstephan@gvrd.org. Entry is $5 per family and zoom link will be emailed. Subscribe to the Vallejo Weekly, and other City communications, here. View previous issues of the Vallejo Weekly, here. Submit your positive community story or event for consideration in the Vallejo News section, here.
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