A push for tougher training
Assemblyman Tom Harman is pushing a bill that would require the
training of Huntington Beach lifeguards to meet a more stringent set
of standards, set by the United States Lifesaving Assn.
As it is now, the state has set no mandated training standards or
regulations for lifeguards on minimum training received or equipment
used.
“I think it’s important for all lifeguards to have the same type
of training up and down the state,” Harman said. “Some cities have
fine adequate training ... Huntington Beach being one of them.
However, in other cities, their training is not that good.”
The eight-mile stretch of Surf City beaches attracts nearly
11-million visitors each year.
California’s open water lifeguards’ range of duties is vast. They
are responsible for providing flood rescue, rescue for swimmers and
boaters and emergency medical aid.
“There will be physical requirements, but also a minimum amount of
schooling, like classes in first aid and medical emergency
treatment,” Harman said. “It’s an effort to make sure they have the
minimum standards and to make sure everybody has the same standards.
If you have training in Santa Barbara, you’ll have the same minimum
standard as you would have in San Diego.”
Adopting statewide minimum training standards will improve their
efficiency and their ability to save lives, Harman added.
“Police have standard training to become police officers, firemen
have standard training to become firefighters. They are a part of
public safety just as lifeguards are part of public safety.”
If approved, the bill probably wouldn’t change training at the
city beach, since its lifeguards already comply with the highest
level of standards set by the United States Lifesaving Assn., Lt.
Mike Baumgartner said.
The Newport Beach Lifeguard Assn. is sponsoring the bill, which
has been referred to the Assembly Local Government Committee. A
hearing will be held within the next few weeks.
Huntington Wetlands get $300,000 from state
The California Coastal Conservancy approved $300,000 for the
Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy last week for a plan to restore
a strip of degraded wetlands stretching from Beach Boulevard to the
mouth of the Santa Ana River.
This will add to the $50,000 already contributed by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service.
It will take about a year to create the plan, said Gary Gorman,
Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy project manager.
An engineer has already been chosen for the project. Gorman hopes
to start work within the next week or two.
“We’re going to map it out, we’re going to evaluate what’s there
and we’re going to evaluate how water flows into it,” Gorman said.
“We’re going to study the hydrology of ocean outlets and come up with
a couple of different alternatives for restoring. Then there will be
a series of public meetings to share this all with the public. It’s a
pretty extensive process.”
The plan will be overseen by a committee that includes
representatives from the conservancy, the city of Huntington Beach,
the County of Orange, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
National Marine Fisheries Service, the Army Corps of Engineers,
Caltrans and the University of California.
The conservancy already owns and manages 93 acres and is hoping to
acquire another 66 acres, in order to accomplish its goal of
restoring a continuous strip of wetlands along the coast.
The area has been identified as a high priority for the Southern
California Wetlands Recovery Project, a partnership of public
agencies that work to acquire, restore and enhance coastal wetland
and watersheds in Southern California.
Earth Day cleanup to sweep state in April
Local volunteers are invited to join thousands across the state
expected to participate in a massive cleanup of California state
beaches on April 24.
Huntington State Beach is one of 44 of California’s state parks
scheduled to take part in the cleanup for the California State Parks
Foundation’s Earth Day 2004 Restoration and Cleanup.
Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to take part in removing
trash and debris from the beach. Work will include cleaning up along
the berm and around the fire rings, planter and tern preserve.
Since the Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup program was developed
in 1998, it has received $570,000 grants. About 40,000 participants
have contributed more than 173,000 volunteer hours.
This year, the foundation has awarded more than $80,000 to the
project sites involved in the Earth Day Cleanup.
Volunteers will meet at the Huntington Lifeguard Headquarters, at
Magnolia Street and Pacific Coast Highway.
The cleanup will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring sunscreen, gloves
and water. For more information, call (714) 536-1454.
City appoints new water quality coordinator
Derek Smith has been appointed water quality coordinator for the
city. Smith, a Huntington Beach resident, comes from Fullerton, where
he served as its water quality specialist.
Smith will replace Rich Ottolini, who took a supervisor’s position
at Rancho Water, a water agency outside Temecula.
Smith was hired for his qualifications, his time in the field and
his education, Utilities Manager Howard Johnson said.
He will be responsible for insuring that the city meets all state
and federal standards for water quality testing and reporting. He
will also oversee the cross connection control and backflow programs.
Throughout his 16-year career in the water industry, Smith has also
worked for the city of Fountain Valley and the Irvine Ranch Water
District.
Smith has an associate’s degree in water quality science and holds
certifications in water treatment, distribution and backflow testing.
“We looked at him and we looked at how he ran his system,” Johnson
said. “And he came highly recommended. Rich said, if you guys can get
him, than you’re lucky. Through the recruitment process, [Smith] came
in No. 1.”
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