Funding for Winter Sanctuary Approved
On November 1, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement for $360,000 with Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF) for the administration of the Winter Sanctuary Program. The Winter Sanctuary Program provides nighttime shelter with local faith-based organizations, including transportation and two meals, for Sacramento County’s homeless population from November 21 through April 30, 2017. “This is the fifth year of funding this program in order to provide 100 additional beds for Sacramento’s homeless each night during the winter,” said Chair of the Board Roberta MacGlashan. “We are pleased and grateful to the 19 congregations that have agreed to host and look forward to other organizations filling in the remaining open nights.”
As part of the agreement, SSF will provide monthly reports of the number of persons sheltered per night, including the breakdown of men, women and families served and their geographic origination. The data will be utilized to determine potential areas of focus for future funding opportunities.
Sacramento Steps Forward coordinates the shelter, transportation to and from the shelter sites, and meals with, as well as outreach and referral efforts for ongoing supportive services.
Currently, congregations have been lined up to provide services for every night except 52. Sac Steps Forward and its subcontractor, First Step Communities (FSC), are working to recruit congregations to fill out the list, including those that can accommodate pets, and two congregations to serve as intake sites for persons who are unable to travel to the main intake site of Loaves and Fishes.
In recruiting these additional intake sites, SSF and FSC are utilizing data to determine where the highest populations of homeless exist outside of the immediate geography of Loaves and Fishes.
The County is also providing $75,000 to Volunteers of America (VOA) for the period of November 21 through March 31, 2017 for the administration of the Winter Shelter Program for homeless families. Offered since 2011, this program has provided shelter to 876 adults and children since its inception.
Todd Harms Sworn in as New Fire Chief
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Board of Directors will conduct a swearing-in ceremony at its regular meeting tonight for new Fire Chief Todd Harms. Following a national search, Harms was selected by the Board of Directors in August as the District’s sixth Fire Chief. He replaces Mark Wells, who, after 29 years of service in public safety and two years as Fire Chief, is retiring.
“I am truly honored to have this opportunity to lead Metro Fire,” said Harms. “I look forward to continually finding way to improve our service delivery, showing the communities we serve that Metro Fire is here every day of the year to solve their problems.”
Harms has 35 years of public safety service and most recently spent nine years as an Executive Staff member for the Phoenix Fire Department. He served as Assistant Chief of Operations, Assistant Chief of Personnel and the Training Division, with oversight of the Training Academy, Command Training Center, Special Operations, Emergency Medical Services, Technical Services, dispatch and the Regional 9-1-1 services.
Harms began his fire service career in 1981 as a Firefighter Paramedic in Peotone, Illinois. In 1987, he became a member of the Phoenix Fire Department. While there, he progressed through the ranks as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief of Special Operations and Shift Commander. He also has been an Urban Search and Rescue team member, with deployments to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Harms holds a Bachelor's degree in Fire Service Management and is a past adjunct instructor at Phoenix College in the Fire Science Program.
“My career in the fire service was more rewarding than I ever expected,” said retiring Fire Chief Mark Wells. “I have been honored to serve this community for the last 29 years with the men and women of Metro Fire.”
Chief Wells started his fire service career with the Citrus Heights Fire District in 1987, and progressed through the ranks of Firefighter, Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief of Administration, becoming Fire Chief in 2014.
Key accomplishments during Wells’ tenure as Fire Chief include the successful negotiation of a new labor contract, the reopening of three closed fire companies, the implementation of a Joint Arson/Bomb Task Force with Sacramento County Sheriff, the development of a Residential Care Facility Inspection program, equipping all Metro Fire medic units with video laryngoscopes, power gurney systems and automatic chest compression devices, and the donation of two surplus medic units and one fire engine to local community colleges.
Sue Frost Announces Transition Team
Sue Frost has built an insurmountable lead and will be the next Supervisor for Sacramento District 4.
“I am truly honored by the trust voters have placed in me, and want to make sure we are ready to get things done on the first day,” said Frost. “I need to start by getting my office staff in place, meet with key county staff, and get organized in the community to make sure I am their voice.”
Supervisor-elect Sue Frost announced a “transition team” tasked with hiring her Chief of Staff.
The team includes: Tab Berg, president of TABcommunications, Chair; Jeff Slowey, Citrus Heights City Councilman; Greg Stuber, President of Sacramento County Probation Association; Eric Rasmusson, president of Rasmusson Public Affairs; Caylyn Wright, Government Affairs Director for Sacramento Area Realtors.
The Transition Team will vet candidates for Chief of Staff and present their recommendations to Supervisor-elect Frost before December 15. Resumes should be sent to tberg@TABcommunications.com.
The team will also be responsible for planning Frost’s swearing-in celebration, recommendations for commissions appointments, and assembling her community/public advisory committees that will counsel the Supervisor throughout the year.
“My transition team includes my most trusted advisors and people with experience building organizations for elected officials, creating and passing policy, and communicating those policies to the public,” said Frost. “I am ready to get started.”
Sacramento Sailor Seabee Tradition
“We Build, We Fight” has been the motto of the U. S. Navy’s Construction Force, known as the “Seabees”, for the past 74 years. Today, Sacramento, California native and a 2009 Sacramento New Technology High School graduate Seaman Faith Devisscher-Knudtzon builds and fights with the Navy on the Gulf Coast and around the world as a member of the Navy serving at Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport.
Gulfport is the command headquarters that oversees all naval construction forces based in the eastern half of the U.S. Land for the Naval Construction Battalion Center at Gulfport was acquired in April 1942, the same year the “Seabee” name was adopted for members of the Construction Battalions, a clever play on the CB initials.
Devisscher-Knudtzon is responsible for base safety and security.
“I like to spread positivity,” said Devisscher-Knudtzon. “I like the being in the job gives me the opportunity to spread positivity in stressful situations.”
“Seabees are some the hardest working Sailors in the Navy,” said Captain Cheryl M. Hansen, NCBC commanding officer. “They are tough, bold, and ready, and they get the job done. They build and fight in some of the harshest and most hostile environments in the world.”
For the past 74 years Seabees have served in all American conflicts. They have also supported humanitarian efforts, using their construction skills to help communities around the world following earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
“I like being on this base because we get to work hand in hand with law enforcement,” said Devisscher-Knudtzon.
Seabees around the world will take part in a year-long celebration in 2017 to commemorate the group’s 75-year anniversary. The theme of the celebration is “Built on History, Constructing the Future.”
Today, Seabees continue their innovative traditions ensuring they always meet fast-paced challenges, according to Hansen.
Working with the Seabees and serving in the U.S. Navy has allowed Devisscher-Knudtzon to continue learning about the legacy she wants to leave to future sailors.
“The Navy has taught me how to get out of my comfort zone,” said Devisscher-Knudtzon. “People had doudts about my ability to do my job so I'm using that as motivation to be better.”
CHP Offers “Start Smart” Classes
The leading cause of death for Americans 15-20 years old is motor vehicle collisions. In an effort inform and to reduce motor vehicle collisions in California, California Highway Patrol (CHP) North Sacramento area will offer a free Start Smart class. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers.
Recent collisions involving teenagers in our area demonstrate the importance of these types of classes. The classes are used to promote traffic safety to both parents and teens. We encourage both parent/caregivers and teens to attend the class.
The CHP's Start Smart program is a driver safety education class which targets new and future licensed teenage drivers between the age of 15 -19 and their parents/guardians.
The Start Smart class will cover collision avoidance techniques, driver responsibility, collision trends, distracted driving laws, alcohol related driving laws and the provisional license process. The program also offers an opportunity for new drivers and parents/guardians to ask CHP Officers clarifying questions. The class incorporates videos and classroom discussion.
The classes are held at the Sacramento Association of Realtors located at 2003 Howe Ave, Sacramento, CA 95825. If you are interested in signing up for the class will need to register for the class by emailing Officer Chad Hertzell at chertzell@chp.ca.gov.
Funding for CHP’s Start Smart programs is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.
Early Morning Apartment Fire in the Arden Area
Just after 6:00am on November 5th, Metro Fire crews were dispatched to an apartment complex on the 3300 block of Edison Ave in the Arden area. First arriving crews reported fire coming from the upstairs unit of a 4-unit complex and immediately initiated fire attack. Multiple hoselines were brought inside the units, while additional crews searched for potential victims.
A total of twenty-five firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and ensured 16 occupants were safely evacuated. Firefighters also rescued a kitten, returning it to its owner; and recovered an urn with the ashes of loved one, returning them to another resident. Arson investigators responded to the scene; the cause is currently under investigation. Damage is estimated at $100,000. No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.
Remember that smoke alarms do save lives. Make sure to test yours regularly and replace the batteries when you change your clocks.
Local Chambers Join Together for Some Fun
The Sunrise Corridor Luncheon was hosted by the award-winning American River Brewing Company on November 4th to a packed and fun-loving full house.
This regular event is held to bring together the local Chambers of Commerce to build a stronger business environment for all. Participating in the event were the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce, the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce and the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce.
A great luncheon was catered by West Coast Events of great tasting pastas, salads and desserts. Raffle drawings at the event sent some special attendees home with bigger smiles.
To find out the benefits of being a chamber of commerce member, and there are many, be sure to contact any of the organizations listed above. When you do, make sure to register for the next Sunrise Corridor Luncheon!