Category Archives: News and Notes

Look for the signature red donation kettles

Volunteers are the difference between an empty and full kettle.

The Salvation Army of Ventura has recently finished placing its signature red donation kettles outside several area stores. Now, it’s up to the community members to help the organization reach its fundraising goal of $100,000. Community members can also donate though text message by texting HopeRings to 41-444. Volunteers are the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises about $30 per hour – enough to provide a family with two bags of groceries or shelter an individual for a night.

Anyone interested in volunteer opportunity of ringing the bell, please call 805-653-3598 and ask to speak with Lt. Silvia.

Lt. Silvia Benetti Simoes stated “Through your generosity we will be able to fight hunger, give warmth, clothe the needy, provide housing services, fight natural disasters, and continue to do the most good. Your Donation Helps Change Lives For The Better.”

Humana and Heritage Provider network team up

Humana Inc.  a leading health and well-being company, has announced it has collaborated with Heritage Provider Network (HPN), an effective physician-led value-based care organizations, on a value-based agreement designed to offer a coordinated, patient-centered experience to help Humana Medicare Advantage members in Southern and Central California achieve better health.

Humana’s Medicare Advantage HMO plan members in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, as well as Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan members in Kern and Ventura counties, will have in-network access to HPN’s vast number of physicians and facilities throughout Southern and Central California.

The agreement with HPN is part of Humana’s longstanding commitment to value-based care, which emphasizes:

More personal time with health professionals and personalized care that is tailored to each person’s unique health situation;

Access to proactive health screenings and programs that are focused on preventing illness;

Improved care for people living with chronic conditions with a focus on avoiding health complications;

Leveraging technologies, such as data analytics, that connect physicians and help them work as a team to coordinate care around the patient; and

Reimbursement to physicians linked to the health outcomes of their patients rather than based solely on the quantity of services they provide (fee-for-service). (Watch video of Humana and AAFP’s Value-Based Payment Study Congressional Briefing).

Under this new agreement, Heritage Provider Network’s physicians will also benefit by having access to new tools, real-time data and care support offered by Humana, which will maximize the time HPN physicians spent with their patients covered by Humana Medicare Advantage.

Humana has an extensive and growing value-based care presence.  As of June 30, 2018, Humana has approximately two million individual Medicare Advantage members and approximately 130,000 Group members who are cared for by more than 52,000 primary care physicians in more than 1,000 value-based relationships across 43 states and Puerto Rico.  Humana’s total Medicare Advantage membership is more than 3.5 million members, which includes members affiliated with providers in value-based and standard Medicare Advantage settings. For more information, visit humana.com/provider/support/vbc.

Heritage Provider Network, Inc. (HPN) is one of the most experienced physician organization leaders of accountable care and continuous value-based healthcare delivery improvements. first. (www.heritageprovidernetwork.com)

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is committed to helping millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health.

To accomplish that, they support physicians and other health care professionals as they work to deliver the right care in the right place for their patients, our members. Our range of clinical capabilities, resources and tools – such as in-home care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, data analytics and wellness solutions – combine to produce a simplified experience that makes health care easier to navigate and more effective.

 

We could never have imagined that in a short matter of time the fire would come barreling straight at us

REMEMBERING

by Kat Merrick

A year ago today Chris and I walked the ranch checking irrigation lines and playing with the pups as we did almost everyday… As I stood on the hill looking at the amazing views, to my left the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands and to my right Ojai. I remember so clearly saying a prayer of thanks for being allowed to be in this very special place. Several hours later as I was finishing packing for my trip and double checking the last minute details I received a text from my dear friend Christine Law saying her house was on fire and she was evacuating.

I immediately started texting her and friends in Santa Paula to see if they were safe and to offer refuge ” Come to the ranch, bring the animals… we are here for you”

We could never imagined that in a short matter of time and in the early hours of Dec 5th the Thomas Fire would come barreling straight at us taking everything we owned and cherished in the world.

No words can express the emotion of watching your life burn before you. to knowing hundreds of friends and Ventura County neighbors were suffering the same fate. I have learned that there really are no words to comfort and that the best thing one can do is simply I am very sorry for your loss and work to help when needed.

Our reality of recovery looks like this.
4 moves over the past 8 months and finally feeling the need to take control and move in the 5th wheel on the property.
3 to 7 Years for the trees to be replanted and producing again
6 months to even getting the modular home on site to live in.
Massive loss of rental income for at least another year or two
Stepping foot in our rebuilt home at least 2 years.

The process that the county (County on permits City on water) said is expedite does not seem to be the case for ranchers and farmers. We have been sitting in Fire Dept review for about a month, All our old site plans must be redone (even though the homes are going with where they were and are the same sizes).

All the needed contractors for soil testing, site plans and more are backed up for months, prices have jumped and answers from them are slow at best.

The rebuild process has almost been as hard on us as the loss.

For me the only thing that has helped is to help. It is one of the gifts that came from all of this.

 

Thomas Fire Recovery – 1 Year Later

REMEMBERING

by Jeffrey Lambert, AICP, Community Development Director, City of Ventura

It was only a year ago that a fast-moving brush fire started north of Santa Paula and was pushed by strong Santa Ana winds through the City of Ventura. The fire burned for more than a month and scorched more than 281,000 acres. The impact of the fire in the City of Ventura was severe, with 524 houses and 100 apartments destroyed citywide.

Even as the Thomas Fire blazed through the city, the City Council began approving measures to help fire victims. City staff was directed to create the Thomas Fire Rebuild Permit Office at City Hall dedicated to help property owners reconstruct destroyed homes and structures. The office, staffed by a combination of City staff and contract services, has provided personalized service and one-on-one meetings for more than 475 homeowners and their design professionals.

The rebuild effort is a two-step process: first a zoning compliance certification must be obtained from the Planning Division, and second, a building permit must be issued by Building and Safety Division. To date, 274 zoning clearances have been issued, 126 homes are in plan-check and 143 homes have received building permits and are currently, or soon to be under construction. In fact, 6 homeowners have nearly completed construction and expect to be in their rebuilt homes by Christmas. The first property owners to rebuild from the Thomas Fire are likely to receive a certificate of occupancy in December.

The Thomas Fire rebuilding process is a high priority and the City Council took several important steps to institute an expedited approach. The City Council adopted the following Thomas Fire Recovery Statement early-on to guide the process: The City strives to quickly rebuild our communities to be more sustainable, more fire resistant, and consistent with current building materials and designs. We will work together to build communities, seeking to ensure new homes respect neighbors and a wider community identity. We will balance the needs for individual home styles and preferences with this desire to create and enhance our existing community images. The City will ensure the communities rebuilding continue to be served with adequate infrastructure.

Rebuilding after the fire can be a big job and every victim’s experience is different. To that end, the City of Ventura is committed to expediting the review process and helping each property owner with their unique needs. We have collectively learned a lot through this process and have noticed similarities in the property owners that worked their way through the system quickly: This process requires diligence, constant communication and a strong team that homeowners can rely on; homeowners who successfully navigated their way through rebuilding engaged a team of design and construction professionals that they enjoy and trust. To get through the process quickly, property owners with permits, stayed active in the rebuild process, attended meetings with City staff, researched features of the rebuilt home the wanted, were knowledgeable about their insurance and what it would take to complete the rebuild of their homes. Neighbors also learned from each other and spent time strengthening connections with other neighbors and the community at-large.

The City of Ventura remains committed to complete the rebuild of our community.

“Remembering the Heroics of Ventura’s First Responders”

REMEMBERING

by Deputy Mayor Matt LaVere

It is hard to believe that one year has passed since the Thomas Fire devastated our community. As I reflect on this difficult year, I am reminded of the overwhelming kindness and generosity I witnessed in response to this horrible disaster. I am also reminded of the intense community spirit that arose in many of us and which bolstered our resolve to rebuild. However, in recent days, given the heartbreaking news from last month’s Camp and Woolsey fires (where over 90 people lost their lives and 196 people are still missing), I am reminded of something else: the absolute heroics of Ventura’s first responders.

What started as a small brush fire in Santa Paula last December 4th quickly grew into a raging inferno barreling towards Ventura at speeds more than a football field-per-second. In the late evening hours, at a time when many Venturans were already asleep, the entire city then lost power just as we were learning about the nightmare heading our way. Against this backdrop, the men and women of Ventura’s police department and fire department jumped into action.

Under the cover of darkness our first responders raced to neighborhoods across the entire City to begin evacuations, from the Westside to Clearpoint, and every impacted neighborhood in between. Often battling intense heat, flames and smoke, our first responders that night evacuated over 27,000 Venturans (nearly a quarter of our City’s residents!) without the loss of a single life. As we learn more about the tragic loss of lives in other fire-ravaged communities, one can only conclude that what Ventura’s first responders accomplished on December 4, 2017 was nothing short of a miracle.

The term “hero” should not be used lightly. But given the dire circumstances they faced and the fact that they risked their lives to successfully save so many of ours, it is important that we remember Ventura’s first responders on the one-year anniversary of the Thomas Fire and recognize them as the true heroes they are!

United Way of Ventura County reflects on community support

REMEMBERING

December 4th marks the one-year anniversary of the Thomas Fire and United Way of Ventura County looks back on a year of loss, hope and recovery.

“This Anniversary is a solemn and painful one,” said Eric Harrison, CEO, United Way of Ventura County. “While our hearts go out to so many that were affected in our communities, we were and are grateful for the opportunity to provide direct financial assistance to most of those impacted through the United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund.”

Shortly after the blaze began, United Way of Ventura County established a fund to assist impacted residents and soon joined efforts with United Way of Santa Barbara County. The fund went onto be reestablished as the United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund and raise $4.6 million.

“The response from near and far in support of the Fund was overwhelming and so meaningful,” said Harrison. “People wanted to help in any way they could. We even received over 6,000 text and online donations through our mobile giving campaign.”

In Phase I of disbursement, United Way distributed prepaid credit cards through American Red Cross $375,000. Each prepaid card was for $500 and went to residents whose homes were destroyed by the Thomas Fire, without any income limits.

As part of Phase II, United Way distributed $779,520 to 281 applicants who requested individual hardship assistance and an additional $300,000 in assistance via pre-loaded bank cards to 212 immigrant farm and service workers affected by the fire assisting more than 1,000 family members. Eligible applicants for both  were Ventura County residents, and household income limits were determined by family size of 120% AMI or less.

In Phase III, United Way sent $1,500 from the Thomas Fire and Flood Fund to 527 households whose homes were destroyed or majorly damaged, as classified by FEMA and CAL FIRE. This phase could potentially exceed $1 million.

In the current Long Term Recovery Phase IV, United Way is working with the Long Term Recovery Group and their case management process to assist households who do not have adequate personal resources for basic needs because of the disaster. This includes assessment and verification of need, planning to achieve recovery goals, advocacy, and connecting clients with community support.

“We know that the Long Term Recovery Group is best positioned, along with other partnering groups, to direct the disaster case management to provide the support needed in long term recovery,” said Harrison. “We’ve designated approximately $1 million from the Thomas Fire and Flood Fund for the Long Term Recovery efforts to address these needs.”

Another $1.1 million has gone to United Way of Santa Barbara County to assist in the recovery efforts of our neighbors.

Since 1945, United Way of Ventura County has advanced the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. Our focus is on education, income and health, because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life. We support local services and programs that are more than just ‘stop gap’ measures, but rather solutions that help create lasting change. We invite everyone to be part of the change by giving, advocating and volunteering. When we work together in common purpose, we live united. For more information about United Way of Ventura County, visit www.vcunitedway.org.

Battling the Thomas Fire

REMEMBERING

by Sheli Ellsworth

Ventura City Fire Department serves a population of over 110,000. They do so with six stations, ten engines, one truck company (hook and ladder) and seventy-three sworn firefighters in fire suppression. That is one firefighter for every fifteen hundred people.

On December 4, 2017, Ventura City Battalion Fire Chief Doug Miser was driving to Ojai to visit his girlfriend. He noticed a red glow in the distance over towards Santa Paula and was immediately worried. A fire alert appeared on his phone at 6:24 PM. Low humidity, sustained winds in excess of 40mph, temperatures in the 60s—and it was the first day of a 5-day Santa Ana wind event, the situation did not bode well. A six-year drought had left much of the county’s thickets and undergrowth dry as kindling.

By 6:30 PM, ten fire engines, two helicopters, two bull dozers and two airplanes and over a hundred fireman had been dispatched to what has become known as the Thomas Fire. By 8:30 PM almost all available off duty city fire department personnel were either showing up at stations or were on their way in.  Less than an hour into the incident, 50 strike teams consisting of over 200 engines were requested from neighboring counties. “Spot fires immediately sprang up downwind from the initial blaze. Driven by 50 mph winds blowing toward the ocean, it didn’t take long for spot fires to cause their own ancillary fires and take hold near Ventura.” Miser says the fires consumed the parched boscage at about an acre per minute. Some of the engine companies initially placed into Santa Paula were quickly relocated closer to Ventura’s urban interface as the fire leapt from one ridge to another, leaving unburned valleys to be consumed later. With very few resources, it became readily apparent that evacuation would be top priority, fire-fighters began knocking on doors and using their public address systems telling people to leave, helping people move cars, carrying the disabled out of homes. “There is always a life-before-property obligation all emergency responders have.”

At 10:00 PM, Miser, who has over 20-years of experience as a fireman, began evacuations in Ventura Heights. “The Police and Fire units were going through neighborhoods and announced on the PA system—telling people to evacuate immediately. The recurring problem was that people went to bed knowing there was a fire in Santa Paula, no one thought it would be in Ventura in a manner of hours.”

As if the pressing problem wasn’t enough, at 11:20 PM a 50-acre fire erupted in Grant Park which became known as the Cedar Incident. “Even though Grant Park is six miles away from the High Point area that was about to get the first wave of the fire about that time, it was obvious spot fires were fueling spot fires that were fueling spot fires—the fire essentially hopscotched across the Ventura back oilfields in a matter of minutes.”

For the next 39 days, 8,500 fire fighters fought fires that had burned everything from Santa Paula to Ventura City, through Ojai and up into Santa Barbara, becoming the largest fire in California History, until this year.  The fire eventually destroyed 440 square miles and 504 homes in the city of Ventura, according to the damage assessment report. An additional 140 were damaged.

“We were able to save many structures, but obviously lost many as well. We tragically lost one of our brothers, Cory Iverson who worked for Cal Fire 10 days after the start of the fire, which is when things usually begin to become manageable as far as wild-land incidents go. This fire, fueled by an unusually long Santa Ana event, would not quit, and consumed everything in its path. I think every firefighter I know remarked how blessed we were that no civilian fatalities happened in Ventura that first night. Given the degree of chaos and rapid pace of the fire, it was the silver lining of it all.”

A scam warning from the Ventura Police

“Yes, I can hear you just fine.”

In the wake of critical incidents in Ventura County the Ventura Police Department encourages residents to be aware of scams that often follow disasters. The scammers often play on the emotions of people especially during major incidents.

If you are asked to make a charitable donation, please consider these tips:

Donate to charities you know and trust.

Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight.

Do not give out personal or financial information including your credit card or bank account number unless you know the charity is reputable.

Never send cash by mail.

Be suspicious of random calls requesting a donation.

Be cautious about clicking on links in emails requesting a donation.

Check out a charity before you donate by contacting the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at 703-276-0100 or at website www.give.org

 

The community is also advised to be aware of additional phone scams that have impacted residents:

IRS Scam: The scammer says money is owed and must be paid immediately by phone.

Edison/Gas Scam: The scammer says money is owed and if not paid immediately the service will be turned off.

Jury Duty Scam: The scammer says money is owed for not showing up to jury duty and if not paid jail time will occur.

“Can You Hear Me” Scam: Scammers are calling victims hoping to get them to say the word “yes” during the conversation that’s being recorded. The scammer will later use the recording of the victim saying yes to authorize unwanted charges on the victim’s utility or credit card account.

Text Message Phishing Scam: Scammers are using a new texting scam and spoofing banks’ phone numbers and sending text messages to customers. A spoofed phone number hides the actual number the text is coming from and displays a number from a trusted source, like your bank. The text claims that your debit card has been used to make a purchase and if you do not recognize the transaction, you need to call their fraud prevention helpline. A phone number is provided for you to call. Because the incoming text looks like it’s from your bank, people are falling for this. If you do call the number provided in the text, the fraudster will answer the phone. They will then ask you to confirm your sensitive banking details. This would allow the scammer to steal money from your account.

Grandparent Scam: A scammer poses as a grandchild and claims to be in jail and in need of money for bail. These imposters claim they are in another state or out of the country and need money wired to help bail them out of jail.

The community is urged to be vigilant and aware of these scams to avoid falling victim. Never follow directions from someone on the phone that requests personal information or money. Please report phone and computer scams to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit ftc.gov/complaint.

Paso Pacifico responds to viral turtle poaching video

A Paso Pacifico ranger patrols the beach near Ostional, Nicaragua, on the lookout for illegal poaching. Photo by Hal Brindley

Turtle poaching in Central America is not a new issue, but some poachers have recently become even more emboldened to carry out this illegal activity. The current political unrest in Nicaragua has only made the situation worse for endangered sea turtles, as critical resources continue to get diverted to other issues.

Ventura’s own Paso Pacifico has long been at the forefront of protecting sea turtles and their eggs, and developed the award-winning InvestEGGator decoy egg with GPS tracking in 2016 to deter poachers who use the cover of night for protection.

But a new threat emerged recently, as poachers have been seen wading into the water and carrying out nesting sea turtles in broad daylight. One poacher was even captured on video carrying a helpless sea turtle over his shoulder during a busy weekend at a beach in Nicaragua.

Soldiers typically patrol this protected beach and wildlife refuge during the nesting season, but for an unknown reason, soldiers were not present when the viral video was taken. Paso Pacifico does not have jurisdiction to patrol this particular beach, but they are stepping up efforts to increase their presence in nearby areas. Thanks to the power of social media, the Paso Pacifico team was able to quickly spread the word and generate solutions for this urgent issue.

Just days after this disturbing early-August video went viral, Paso Pacifico raised enough funds to hire two new rangers to monitor beaches in hopes of deterring illegal poaching, and the goal is to continue adding to that number. The new rangers began their assignments patrolling Nicaraguan beaches this October.

“We have been so encouraged by the response we’ve received from our dedicated supporters,” said Paso Pacifico Founder and Executive Director Dr. Sarah Otterstrom. “It’s reassuring to know that others in our community, both locally and across the globe, are as concerned about this heartbreaking behavior as we are. Thanks to the generosity of SEE Turtles for matching funds, we have more than doubled our original fundraising goal in a matter of days, but our work isn’t done. The more money we raise, the more rangers we can hire to protect these threatened sea turtles.”

Paso Pacifico already has a presence on many beaches in the Paso del Istmo region of Nicaragua, but is looking to expand their reach in light of recent events. For every $5,000 raised, Paso Pacifico is able to hire an additional turtle ranger to monitor Nicaraguan beaches.

The mission of Paso Pacifico is to restore and protect the Pacific Slope ecosystems of Mesoamerica. These habitats include the endangered dry tropical forest, mangrove wetlands, and eastern Pacific coral reefs. By working with local communities, landowners, and partner organizations, Paso Pacifico restores and protects the habitats that form building blocks for wildlife corridors. Paso Pacifico also lends its expertise to help migratory wildlife on the Central Coast of California, including threatened migratory birds and whales that over winter in Mesoamerica. Through its high-impact programs, Paso Pacifico has established itself as one of the world’s leading biodiversity conservation organizations.

Ventura County Public Works Agency prepared for the worst

The specific objectives of the exercise included testing the agency’s emergency response plans.

When a natural disaster hits such as a fire or a flood, preparation is always key to the survival of life and property and it’s never too early to start. The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) conducted Storm Day, an annual disaster simulation drill, on Oct. 18, which focused on preparation for flooding stemming from a natural disaster and infrastructure damage.

Storm Day 2018 simulated a severe storm and a scenario depicting emergency response to structural damage to local dams and underground water lines triggered by an earthquake. In light of the Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslides, this year’s exercise was created to assess VCPWA’s preparedness to address similar, potential devastating events in Ventura County.

During the exercise, Public Works crews worked to clear out a culvert under Central Avenue that was clogged with thick mud utilizing a remote-control skid steer and excavator to clean out a bridge storm drain. Crews also practiced their flood fighting protection measures at Sycamore Dam and practiced installing and testing their portable emergency generators at the Silver Strand pump stations.

The annual exercise underscores VCPWA’s role as first-responders. In floods, debris flows, fires, earthquakes, or any other emergency circumstances, VCPWA works alongside the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, the Ventura County Fire Department, and emergency medical personnel to provide critical infrastructure support and maintain public safety. The exercise is used to create severe but plausible scenarios to test agency emergency response. The Storm Day 2018 training mobilized VCPWA to its emergency Field Operations Centers, Department Operations Centers, and it’s Agency Operation Center.

The specific objectives of the exercise included testing the agency’s emergency response plans and processes, evaluating information and communication procedures, analyzing the efficiency of agency operation centers, and testing the process and procedures to respond to a local state of emergency. The drill also helps identify any areas for improvement in the emergency response plans.