Employees Practice Running Disaster Shelter

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If a disaster struck tomorrow, do you know where you would go if you couldn’t go home? According to a recent study by the County Office of Emergency Services, 17 percent of San Diego County residents said that in the event of an emergency evacuation, they wouldn’t know where to go.  

That’s why, during disasters, the County and community volunteers provide designated shelters for people and pets who have to evacuate due to wildfires, floods, or earthquakes.  In the 2007 wildfires, half a million County residents evacuated their homes, and thousands took shelter at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. During the devastating wildfires in Northern California a few  weeks ago, 43 different shelters opened.

But shelters wouldn’t be possible without trained disaster workers who are ready to jump in and help at a moment’s notice. So drills like the Shelter Team Exercise the County held recently are critical to keeping up with the demand for disaster shelters when the need arises.

Approximately 70  employees from the County came together at Golden Hall in downtown San Diego to practice setting up and running a realistic disaster shelter in a scenario most San Diegans know too well: wildfire.

“We tried to make it as real as we could,” said Julie Jeakle, OES’ Emergency Services Coordinator who ran the exercise. “These are all scenarios we’ve experienced in shelters before.”

Hundreds of County employees volunteer as trained shelter workers and managers, and the County provides trainings each quarter. The goal is to nearly triple the number of trained employees who would be available to respond in an emergency in the next few years.

One volunteer, Leonor Chairez, works by day as a licensed marriage and family therapist with Behavioral Health Services. She first volunteered two years ago to become a trained a shelter worker and was ready to help if called upon during the Northern California wildfires.

“It’s a passion of mine to help others, especially when they’re in need,” Chairez said. “I feel that part of our jobs as clinicians is to help in crisis.”

“You have to be prepared to drop what you’re doing and go help,” said HHSA Senior Office Assistant and shelter volunteer Tim Hahn. When he saw the recruitment for shelter volunteers on the County’s employee web page, he signed up.

“I just wanted to do something for the community,” he said.

Currently, over 240 County employees have been trained to act as emergency shelter workers and managers during a disaster, but there is still a need for volunteers. For more information on becoming a trained shelter worker and the County’s Advanced Recovery Initiative, check out OES’ InSite page. If you’re interested in volunteering as a shelter worker, fill out the Shelter Team application form and send it to the Office of Emergency Services. 

Protect the Public’s Information – and Your Own!

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In the time it takes you to read this column, the County will block more than 500 incoming emails because they look like either spam or a more dangerous threat.

That adds up to millions – millions! – of attempts to get past our filters every month.

Much of the County’s business is about protecting the public. That includes protecting their information. This is not just a job for IT staff. It’s critical that each of us takes the steps needed to keep that information safe.

I also don’t want to see any of you personally ever fall victim to identity theft or scams. A lot of what I’m saying here about protecting our customers applies just as much to safeguarding your personal information. I hope you’ll be just as vigilant with both.

Even though the vast majority of spam email coming into the County gets blocked, some potentially harmful ones get through. I get them, and you probably have, too. Here’s an example:

Your e-mail ID exceeded its storage limit.  Click Here to Unblock and click on Submit to get more space or you won’t be able to send mail.

They ask you to click on something, or open an attachment. That’s all a hacker needs to get into our system and start to steal private information.

These emails have gotten more and more sophisticated. They’re no longer from a prince overseas promising to make you rich. Fraudsters are now able to make mails look as if they’re from County employees, even people you know. The messages sound like something they’d say. 

Especially dangerous are “phishing” emails. These ask for sensitive information like a password. Provide that, and you’ve just thrown the door open to thieves.

These are just a few examples of threats to our information. Protecting data has become one of the modern world’s biggest challenges. Security breaches at major companies or government agencies are now almost routine. The recent hack of credit reporting agency Equifax was just one of the latest. 

So, while we continue to fight this battle behind the scenes, we need everyone on the front line at the County to step up our guard. I’m raising the issue with all of you here, but we’re also introducing a set of three short trainings in the LMS that cover aspects of protecting private information. I strongly encourage you to take them. Technology will help us, but our security will depend on your understanding the risks and learning how to spot trouble. 

I won’t go into all the details, but the three topics are:

Privacy and Security. This covers the general concept of privacy rules about what we can share and security rules to keep it safe. This is not just digital. It includes things like leaving sensitive documents sitting on a copier. Or speaking about private matters in a way that could be overheard.

Mobile Devices. A smartphone is a little computer, and it is just as vulnerable to being hacked. The training’s tips include things to look for when downloading apps or when connecting to Wi-Fi, as well as settings you should disable when they’re not being used. 

Spam and Phishing. I mentioned these already, but there’s more to know. Like what to do if you get one of these mails. Don’t forward it to IT staff, or anyone else. Do send it, as an attachment, to spam@sdcounty.ca.gov. Then delete it. The training explains how to make it an attachment, if you’re not sure. We’ve also added a section on InSite’s Technology page as a quick reference.    

And about those phishing mails. Our Help Desk, or any legitimate organization, like major banks, will not ask for you to send password information in a mail. That’s an immediate red flag.

Millions of Americans are victims of identity theft each year. If it happens to you, remember that our Employee Assistance Program can help. Specialists can walk you through steps to resolve a case.

Living safely. That’s one of the three strategic initiatives that drive everything we do. It goes as much for information security as it does for any of the other ways we protect people. And as with any safety issue, the key is staying alert and informed. Think before you click!

 

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County Family Fire Fund Established

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The wildfires that have raced through California this year have devastated thousands of people, not only the citizens that we government workers serve, but also many of our fellow county workers in other communities.

A fund has been set up to help county workers in these other communities to rebuild their homes and lives by the County State Association of Counties and the California Association of County Executives — the “County Family Fire Fund.”

If you’d like to donate you can do so here.

If anyone can empathize with the people who have been devastated by this summer’s wildfires, it’s us. We lived through our own horrible firestorms here in San Diego County, in 2003, 2007 and 2014.

And we know from those experiences that disaster strike us all. Not only the public we serve as government employees, but us as well. County workers live in the places they serve. They work on the front lines and they work in support. They’re emergency responders, they help coordinate evacuations and relief, and staff local recovery centers. In the horrific Northern California fires, there have been stories of county workers continuing to work — even as their own homes burned — to help the public.

It’s going to take our fellow counties years to rebuild. We know. We’ve seen it; we’ve lived through it. If you’d like to help, you can by donating to the County Family Fire Fund. 

PerkSpot Alert: Discounted Universal Studios Tickets

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Lights! Camera! Take action on a great deal! You can save up to 25 percent on gate priced tickets at Universal Studios Hollywood through PerkSpot.

Soar above Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with Harry Potter. Join Gru and the mischievous Minions on a 3-D ride. Watch King Kong battle a 35-foot T-Rex! Take a studio tour and see how famous shows and movies come together.

Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for a different date – all sales are final. Be careful when selecting.

PerkSpot offers benefits and discounts through hundreds of service providers and retailers, from movie theaters to florists and jewelers. Go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop. If you are new, click on “Create an Account” to register.

Each month, one of the most popular PerkSpot deals will be highlighted on InSite.

SDCLA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

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The San Diego County Latino Association employee resource group celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a special guest speaker at the County Operations Center.

USMC RET. Corporal Carlos Gomez Perez, who was born in Mexico and immigrated to the U.S at age nine, joined the United States Marines October 2001, eventually becoming highly decorated Marine.

While his time in service, Cpl Gomez Perez received the following awards, or commendations:

  • Certificate Of Commendation 2004

  • Meritorious Mast Warrior Of The Month 2004

  • Purple Heart 2004 for a gunshot wound to the face, and to Right Shoulder in the Jolar District in the streets of Fallujah

  • Combat Meritoriously to Corporal 2004

Cpl Carlos Gomez Perez was medically retired from the United States Marines on January 2006. 

Check out the photos above from the celebration and learn more about employee resource groups on InSite.

 

Distracted Driving: Not Worth the Risk

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Karina Ramirez from Public Works views a virtual reality program to deter distracted driving.

County employees took a distracted driving challenge at an interactive virtual reality simulator and pledged to stay focused on the road, not mobile phones, social media or other distractions.

The County partnered with AT&T to offer the It Can Wait virtual reality 360-degree driving experience at the County Operations Center Plaza last week. The simulation involved watching a driving video through virtual reality goggles while sitting in a driver’s seat with a steering wheel.

While participating, cartographic services employee Robert Feuerstein actually shrieked a few times and asked if he’d killed someone. Don’t worry he didn’t but he said the video was “so realistic” with the virtual reality goggles.  Formerly a driving instructor, Feuerstein said he knows how important this safety message is for all drivers.  

“It’s a fantastic tool to use to learn the risks of distracted driving,” said Feuerstein.

Ignacio De La Torre, assistant vice president of AT&T External Affairs, said they got involved with this safety messaging in 2010 after they talked with people who had been seriously injured in accidents due to distracted driving like texting or talking on the phone.

In AT&T’s research, they found that 49 percent of people admitted to texting while driving. Of teenagers surveyed, 97 percent said they thought texting and driving was dangerous, but 43 percent of them said they did it anyway.

In more recent years, De La Torre noted, distracted driving has come to include people recording videos of themselves while driving, taking selfies and posting to social media sites.

Karina Ramirez, who works for the Department of Public Works, said she wanted to take part in the experience because her 11-year-old daughter constantly reminds her to put her phone away before they get in the car. Ramirez said she wanted to tell her daughter she pays attention to what she tells her.

“I tell her, ‘You’re right.’ And when she starts driving, I want her not to even think about (using her phone or being distracted in another way),” Ramirez said.

Henry Weaver of Auditor & Controller took the pledge not to drive while distracted.Henry Weaver with Auditor and Controller said the virtual reality goggles made a big impact, and he would warn others to drive responsibly.

“Just don’t do it, it’s not worth it,” said Weaver.

To learn more about the dangers of distracted driving visit AT&T’s It Can Wait campaign and watch 360-degree videos, which can be viewed on any virtual reality viewer.

Last year, more than 20 million people who participated in the AT&T simulated experience pledged not to drive while distracted.

“We provide phones and want to make sure our customers use them in a responsible manner,” said De La Torre. 

Get Healthy for the Holidays

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Give yourself the gift of health this holiday season by participating in Employee Wellness’ quarterly challenge—Health for the Holidays.

In this six-week program, employees will practice three healthy behaviors: physical activity, eating well and filling a “gift box.” Participants may fill their gift box by volunteering, doing a nice deed for a neighbor or really anything that spreads holiday cheer and goodwill.

As participants log their activities online, they create an animated holiday scene. The more activities logged, the more festive the winter wonderland scene grows. Just imagine yourself dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh.

While this is the most wonderful time of the year, it can be stressful too. Employee Wellness Coordinator William Erese explained that this challenge can actually help relieve stress and set you up for a happy and healthy New Year.

“Exercise and healthy eating are the simple things that you can do each day to contribute to a brighter, jollier outlook this holiday season,” he said.

Registration is Oct. 23 through Nov. 10. The campaign runs Nov. 6 through Dec. 17.

Don’t forget to link your wearable fitness devices such as Fitbits and Jawbones to record steps.

This is the last online challenge employees need to participate in to qualify for the Employee Wellness stationary bike giveaway.

Employees requiring accommodation should email dhrwellness.fgg@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Real Customers, Real Impact – and Real HEART

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October is Customer Service Month, and we’re marking the occasion by sharing a few recent examples of our Customer Experience Initiative in action.

As we head into another year, the initiative is embracing the theme of Real Customers, Real Impact. The concept of highlighting people touched by County services was part of this year’s operational plan presentation. Hearing the stories, from the customers themselves, helps employees feel the connection to the people we serve and makes all our actions more relevant.

Here are a few specific ways departments are improving the customer experience.

handheart.jpg

Give them a hand

At the County Psychiatric Hospital, employees can recognize each other’s excellent customer service by giving them a Hands Up/High Five picture. They write the name of the person over the hand and then a description of what HEART qualities their colleague demonstrated. The hands are then put up on a wall where everyone can see them. It’s a colorful, constant celebration of staff members’ hard work and reminder of customer service principles.

Going the extra miles

The General Plan lays out the rules for how land can be developed in our unincorporated area. But it leaves room for unique circumstances. Planning & Development Services’ Kevin Johnston oversees requests from property owners who want zoning changes on their land. Over two years, he’s attended 23 community meetings around the county, explaining the process and getting feedback.

The rules are complex, and people get passionate about their property. So when community members praise Johnston’s work, that’s testament to his Expertise and Attentiveness.

“Many thanks for making the evening so worthwhile and for providing the information in a very understandable and thorough way…”

- Charles Mathews, Pala Pauma CSG

Tech Connects Vets

Technology is behind many customer service improvements. The County’s Vet Connect program lets veterans in the County’s backcountry go to their local library and use videoconferencing to receive services and complete paperwork. The vets can avoid lengthy travel to offices in central San Diego.

This summer, the County launched the latest installation of Vet Connect at the Valley Center Library. Meeting customers where they are – even if it’s virtually – greatly improves their access and satisfaction.

Ribbon-cutting for the the Vet Connect service at the Valley Center Library.

Those are just a few brief mentions of countless ways County employees are taking a positive approach to give customers a positive experience.

As part of Customer Service Month, we invite you to share pictures of how you’re keeping HEART and the Customer Experience Initiative going in your department. If you have pics of recognition boards, group shots with posters, or any other things demonstrating your commitment to exceptional customer service, you can email them to us. We’ll put together a gallery to close out the month.

Here’s to Employees in the Hep A Fight

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Even though the likelihood of hepatitis A impacting you directly is low, it has become a focus for many of our colleagues. Many more of you probably have questions about what we’re doing and your personal safety. I want to give you a high-level overview of our actions and recognize the tremendous effort many of you are making to protect the public’s health.

First, a little background. The hepatitis A virus is typically spread through fecal matter that winds up in someone’s mouth. Even tiny amounts. Not a pretty thought, but that’s what we’re dealing with. An infected person can spread it to another person through things they touch, including food, or by close personal contact. Hepatitis A can make people sick, and as we’re seeing, even be fatal, especially when the person who gets it has existing health issues.   

From the onset, our public health staff did an extraordinary job identifying the outbreak and analyzing the at-risk populations. Interviews with patients and hospital personnel, along with sophisticated modeling done by GIS mapping of cases, helped them put together a picture of what we were experiencing and a plan for what needed to be done.  They determined it affected – as it does now – mainly people who are homeless and those using illegal drugs. 

They began educating health care providers and mobilizing teams to begin vaccinations. They met with local jurisdictions to explain the medical aspects of hepatitis A as well as the need for extra sanitization where homeless people stay. Working with the Centers for Disease Control, the California Department of Public Health and our community partners, they initiated a three-pronged strategy to stop the outbreak: vaccinate, sanitize and educate.

These numbers will keep changing, but as of last update, the County and local health care community had given more than 76,000 vaccinations since the outbreak began. Some of those have been at mass vaccination events that began in April. Many have been given by “foot teams” we launched in May. Public health nurses, partnered with outreach workers and sometimes law enforcement, hit the streets, riverbeds or canyons to find homeless people one-by-one. If you’ve ever worked with the homeless population, you know many of them are suspicious of “official” types – especially those who show up with a vaccine. It’s painstaking work, and our doctors and nurses deserve a ton of credit for the numbers we’ve reached in our vaccination efforts.

Video: Hear County public health nurses explain their prevention work

But it’s many more of you than that. I applaud our social workers, law enforcement personnel, environmental health workers, parks staff, public works crews and countless other County employees for the various roles they have played in our response. 

We’ve worked extensively with local restaurants on cleaning guidelines and food handler education. We’ve cleaned culverts and distributed street sanitization protocols. We’ve passed out hygiene kits, and installed handwashing stations across the region. We’ve implemented extra sanitation protocols in our own public restrooms and County facilities with extra cleaning precautions for doorknobs, elevator walls, tables and countertops. It’s truly been a team effort.

During emergencies, there are always critics. But I can assure you, I am proud of each one of you and grateful for your hard work and dedication. And those actions will continue as we are still a long way away from ending the outbreak. It will take many more months. Similar outbreaks in the past have taken years to run their course. We are hopeful that we are ahead of that curve but we can’t be certain. What is certain, though, is that when it’s over, we will collect our lessons learned so that we can do everything possible to prevent a future outbreak.

I mentioned that most of you are at a very low risk of contracting hepatitis A, so a vaccination is not necessary. However, if you come into contact with someone in the at-risk population then please contact your health care provider to determine if a hepatitis A shot is recommended. We have an extensive amount of information about hepatitis A on our County website. I urge you to read it.  And if you still have questions, please reach out to Human Resources. They are there to help you.

I also want to urge you to think beyond hepatitis A. The flu season is upon us. And remember, the flu is more deadly then hepatitis A. Please take care of yourself.

Tough challenges always bring out the best in the human spirit. The Noblest Motive is the Public Good. That is what motivates all of us. My sincere thanks to everyone for the work you’ve done and will continue to do.

 

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