Orange County Improves Emergency Response Times

Orange County Deputies Fired After Brutal Jail Killing Want More Taxpayer Money

yesterday Orange County improves emergency response times Chapel Hill, N.C. The Orange County Emergency Services Department said Wednesday that it has improved 911 dispatch and EMS response times. Officials said 911 dispatch times improved from an average of 2:42 minutes in 2011 to 1:25 minutes in the second quarter of 2013. The EMS response times decreased from 10:46 minutes in 2011 to 9:45 minutes in the second quarter of 2013. The department reports that increased staff on each shift, new training positions and process improvements are responsible for quicker 911 dispatches. The EMS response times have been improved by adding additional ambulances, paramedics and EMT. Co-locating ambulances in partnership with local fire departments to get them closer to their response districts and the use of Automatic Vehicle Location devices to help identify and dispatch the closet ambulance to the call has also helped, said officials. Web Editor: Emily Farrington Copyright 2013 by Capitol Broadcasting Company.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.wral.com/Orange Attorney-county-improves-emergency-response-times/12978477/

Barbara Bedell: Orange County Open Studio Tour on tap

Firefighters continue to make progress on containing a roughly 50-acre fire burning in an unincorporated area of southeast Orange County. Containment of the fire near the edge of the Cleveland National Forest had increased to 40% Monday morning, officials reported. Earlier in the day, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. SteveConcialdi said at least one firefighter had suffered minor injuries and one building was damaged. The fire started about 10:10 a.m. Sunday in a large mulch pile at a nursery in the 27900 block of Baker Canyon Road. The blaze in the Silverado area spread quickly Sunday afternoon as about 125 firefighters, aided by helicopters and air tankers, fought to contain it.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-Orange Attorney-county-brush-fire-containment-increases-to-40-20131007,0,3402422.story

Orange County / Inland Empire SBDC Network Announces Michael Sabellico as 2013 State Star

No homes are threatened, Concialdi said, and authorities hope to keep the so-called Baker fire to less than 100 acres. About 125 firefighters from departments across Orange County and beyond were battling the fire on Sunday afternoon. They were aided by helicopters and air tankers. The fire started at about 10:10 a.m. in a large mulch pile at a nursery in the 27900 block of Baker Canyon Road,Concialdi said. The area is near the edge of the Cleveland National Forest. Concialdi said the fire spread despite efforts to keep the flames in check.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-baker-fire-Orange Attorney-county-20131006,0,5420025.story

Anonymous visitors to recordonline.com can access up to 3 premium articles per calendar month. Users who become free registered users of recordonline.com can access up to 10 premium articles per month. Access to additional premium content requires a paid subscription. To register or subscribe, please visit recordonline.com/subscribe on a desktop or laptop computer Premium recordonline.com content is available to sample on a limited basis. Learn more about registering or subscribing to increase your access.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131010/COMM/310100310/-1/COMM04

Orange County brush fire containment increases to 40%

(California police unions working with politicians in both major political parties have won huge protection and secrecy laws--Public Safety Officers' Bill of Rights (POBRA)--that usually prevent the public from learning about dirty or incompetent cops.) The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS), the local deputies union, complained that Taylor's conduct didn't warrant termination. In April 2010, arbitrator Robert D. Steinberg decided that OCSD's firing of Taylor violated his special POBRA rights and determined that taxpayers owed the fired deputy back pay and benefits. Following Steinberg's binding ruling, Orange County handed Taylor $45,000 for back pay and unused leave time, but Taylor's lawyers are back in court insisting that taxpayers also owe the ex-deputy interest on the money from the date he was dismissed. "It is well-established that a successful party to an arbitration is entitled to prejudgment interest," wrote AOCDS lawyers Charles A. Goldwasser and Samuel J. Wells, who say Taylor should get 10 percent annual interest on the back pay.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2013/10/orange_county_sheriffs_departm_1.php

Orange County population from Burma here to stay

The State Star award is presented annually to an outstanding staff member from each SBDC network from across the country that shows a strong commitment to small business success and makes a significant contribution to their regional SBDC program.Over the years, Sabellico has shared his experience and provided expert guidance in the areas of procurement strategy, certification, marketing, networking and government contracting. His assistance has led clients to be awarded over $48.8 million in contracts, $22million inincreased sales, and to create and retain 558 jobs. Mike is a top performing consultant and trusted advisor, said Orange County SBDC Director, Leila Mozaffari, adding Clients consistently ask for him by name when seeking our assistance to grow their business. Sabellico has over 25 years of government contracting experience and is the president of theOrange County/Los Angeles chapter for the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Alliance where he volunteers his time to assist disabled veteran-owned businesses grow and achieve success. As a business owner himself, Mike truly understands the challenges that face todays small businesses, said Priscilla Lopez, California SBDC State Chair.Mike is always focused on the needs of his clients and works tirelessly to help them achieve success. Sabellico was recognized among his peers at the Association of Small Business Development Centers Annual Conferenceheld in Orlando, Florida on September 9, 2013. To find out more information about the Orange County / Inland Empire SBDC Network, visit www.leadsbdc.org .
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://inlandempire.us/Orange Attorney-county-inland-empire-sbdc-network-announces-michael-sabellico-as-2013-state-star/

Solar farm comes to Orange County

The farm is a renewable energy operation that will be around for around 50 years, providing electricity through non-fossil fuel resources. John Morrison, Strata Solars chief operating officer, said the solar farm has started producing energy, but people in the county will not notice its effect. It should lower the cost in the long term, but in the short term it should not do anything, he said in an interview. Orange County Commissioner Renee Price said the county needs to save energy and money, so the new farm is a great addition. Anywhere you live, if you can save energy and save money, it is an advantage, so I think that it is a great thing that Strata Solar is in Orange County, Price said. Morrison said he is excited to have this new farm in the county and wants to bring more solar farms in the future. If we can find good locations for another farm, then I absolutely want to have more farms, he said. It is a great deal. It is like bringing in a new factory, but no new roads or sewage lines need to be made. Earl McKee, vice chairman of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, said having the solar farm is great for the countys image.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2013/10/solar-farm-comes-to-orange-county

Orange County blaze chars 30 acres; 1 firefighter injured

aFinding a job is not easy for everyone. Language plays an important role,a Maung said. Bateman said for refugees, finding employment with UNC became more difficult after the economy slowed and people from Burma flooded the area in 2007. aA lot of them have jobs at UNC and a lot of them want jobs at UNC,a Bateman said. Orange County has one of the lowest unempoyment rates in the state a a factor the federal government considers when placing refugees. The government also considers where refugeesa families and friends already are in the U.S.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.dailytarheel.com/m/article/2013/10/Orange Attorney-county-population-from-burma-here-to-stay