Resources to Cope in the Aftermath of Violence

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From Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

Out shopping. At a festival. In an entertainment district. All places we could easily be ourselves. All places we’ve just watched turned into scenes of horrific violence.

We grieve with these communities and all those who have suffered losses. Every mass shooting leaves us heartbroken. Several in quick succession compounds those feelings, causing despair and anxiety. It’s absolutely normal to be caught in a mix of emotions.

If you’re feeling distressed, it’s not just acceptable to ask for help – we strongly encourage it. Our Employee Assistance Program is there for this very purpose. Professionally trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s free for all employees and completely confidential. Please don’t hesitate to call 888-777-6665 or visit the EAP website for more information. That link is always on the InSite home page. (Sheriff’s Department sworn staff has a separate service at 800-222-9691.) If you supervise employees, please reemphasize this service is available.  

Also, remember you can bring up concerns with your primary care doctor. Your mental health is part of your overall health, and your doctor should be able to direct you to the appropriate help.

At the same time, these attacks are a reminder that violence occurs in all settings and we need to be prepared. The message that you’ve heard before, but bears repeating, is “See Something, Say Something.” Be alert and report any suspicious behavior to your supervisor. Never assume somebody else must’ve checked it out or told someone.  

We have an Employee Security page with several resources involving active shooters, including the video “Run, Hide, Fight.” Departments can also request to have our Sheriff’s Department give an in-person presentation or conduct a drill on active shooters.

Every County department and facility has a disaster response plan. Make sure you’re familiar with the one that applies to you.

In the aftermath of mass violence, hopelessness can set in. We can counter that by taking positive actions to be prepared and by committing to look out for the safety of ourselves, our colleagues and customers.

InTouch - Our Canine Colleagues

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As we head into the dog days of summer, I wanted to give a little attention to one particular group within our extended County family. They work like dogs – because they are.

Yes, dogs fill a variety of roles for us here, some well-known, others more surprising. It takes a lot of talents combined to do the County’s business, and while you all do amazing work, there are some ways you just can’t compete with our canine colleagues.

We love our furry friends just for being themselves. But understanding some of the ways dogs help us help the public, you may love them that much more. Let me give a few examples.

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For a decade now, the District Attorney’s Office has been providing comfort dogs to witnesses testifying in court. It’s often for child victims having to recount traumatic experiences. The Court Dogs are right there with them on the witness stand, helping make the process as manageable as possible. The dogs are therapy dogs, and their handlers are all volunteers. In recent years, they’ve been on hand for more than 100 witnesses a year.

We’re using dogs’ remarkable noses to help guard against agricultural pests. The Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures has a couple detector dogs they use to sniff around mailing centers for packages containing fruits, vegetables or other plants. Those can carry pests or diseases that could mean disaster for local growers, so it’s critical we stop them before entering the area. This past fiscal year, detector dogs alerted inspectors to over 350 parcels with plants, with 34 interceptions of harmful pests.

The video features Tuk, who’s now retired. Podder and Yeti are the dogs currently on detector duty.

Several of our County Library branches have programs that bring in dogs and let children read to them. Some kids are nervous about reading aloud. Dogs accept us as we are – our favorite trait of theirs – and don’t mind if we have trouble with difficult words. So by reading to the dogs, children can practice and gain confidence in their ability.

Romeo

Romeo

Our Medical Examiner, Dr. Glenn Wagner, has a German shepherd named Romeo that helps with the department’s unfortunate but essential work of finding and recovering human remains. He’s also trained to sniff out drugs. Romeo has assisted both the ME’s office and outside agencies. And, bonus points, Dr. Wagner adopted Romeo from County Animal Services.

Our approach to juvenile justice has changed dramatically in recent years. We now understand that many of the young people who get into trouble come from difficult or even traumatic circumstances. Putting them on the road to future success includes addressing emotional needs. One way we do that is to have regular visits from therapy dogs at juvenile hall. The dogs are a calming, comforting presence, and as you would expect, the program is very popular with the youths.

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Everybody’s familiar with the Sheriff’s K-9s. The department has 31 dogs in the unit. They all go through an initial 12-week training, then train for 16 hours each month. They protect their deputy partners, track suspects, search for evidence and detect drugs. Most of the K-9s work up to 10 years, then after retirement, stay with their handlers.

Also with Sheriff, but a distinct unit, is the Search and Rescue K-9 Unit. These are the dogs of volunteers, and both handlers and dogs go through extensive training to be part of the team. They can be called in to search for missing persons. They also have the grim task of finding human remains after a natural disaster or help solve murder cases. They are ready to respond 24/7 to a variety of circumstances and help not just the Sheriff but other law enforcement agencies anywhere in the country.

The Sheriff’s Search and Rescue K-9 Unit trains earlier this year.

When off duty, the unit’s leader, Pam Medhurst, visits local libraries and schools to give a safety presentation to help prevent kids from getting lost. It's called Don't Run Around, Stay Found. Her best pal Simon and her beagle Banjo engage children of all ages.

The Sheriff's Department also has a Goodwill Ambassador in Teddy the Goldendoodle. With his owner, Sergeant Daniel Sloppye, they read to children at local libraries and represent the agency at community events.

Teddy even helped us get the word out about the importance of making pets part of your emergency preparedness plans.

Our County workforce is large and accomplished. But we’re clear we can’t do everything our customers need alone. We need partners of all kinds to make the collective impact we want, and dogs are part of that network, filling unique roles and helping us unleash – yes, I said it – our full potential.

If all this has left you thinking of adding a pet partner of your own, don’t forget our Animal Services. They have lots of dogs, cats and more waiting for forever homes.

Let’s give a hand, and a paw, to our canine colleagues and their handlers for their contributions. And thanks to all of you for your dogged efforts in serving our customers. Whether you’re at Dog Beach or other relaxing spot of your choice, I hope you’re enjoying summer in San Diego.

County Fleet Ranks in Top Five

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An ongoing drive to succeed pays off. General Service’s Fleet Management Division now ranks number five for the 100 leading government vehicle fleets in the U.S. and Canada. More than 35,000 government fleets exist in the two countries. The County moved up from the 39th spot last year.

Government Fleet Magazine announced the rankings during a conference on June 18. The awards program recognizes operations that excel in leadership, competitiveness and efficiency, planning for the future and overcoming challenges. 

The County has one of the largest government fleets in the state with nearly 4,000 vehicles that cover a wide variety of departmental needs.

“San Diego County encompasses a very large geographical area that requires a diverse fleet of vehicles and equipment. Having such a fleet requires staff to be knowledgeable and experts in many facets of the fleet industry,” said Operations Fleet Chief John Manring. “Being recognized as one of the Leading Fleets is truly an honor but helping departments serve County residents is truly what it is all about.”

Fleet buys an average of 500 vehicles a year and is responsible for preventive maintenance and repairs, regulatory compliance and disposal. The division also operates 27 fuel sites and seven maintenance locations plus on-site mobile service.

Vehicles range from cars and trucks to fire vehicles, buses, motorcycles and even a boat.

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Pet of the Week - Damsel

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Meet Damsel (Tag #S131)! A 14-year-old Bengal looking for her new forever home.

She is anything but a “damsel in distress.” This sweetie has a great personality and it shows. She’s comfortable around people, is litter box trained and loves to cuddle. So let’s get her adopted!

You can see Damsel at the Department of Animal Services’ shelter in Carlsbad or visit sddac.com to give another animal their furever home.

Employee Bowling Tournament Was a Striking Success

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Sixteen teams participated in the first-ever Employee Wellness Bowl-O-Rama tournament this weekend at Mira Mesa Lanes. The day-long event on Saturday was filled with friendly competition and camaraderie.

Congratulations to team “Splitz and Gutter Love,” Sharmaine Brown, Leslie Coulter, Thien Ngo, and John Pizzo from Edgemoor Nursing Facility, for clinching the championship.

The runner-up was team “Turkey Gang”: Joseph Densmore, Liah Ector and John Koummalasy from the Sheriff’s Department, and Carlos Mendez from HHSA.

Thousands Thrive at Live Well San Diego 5K

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San Diego residents arrived early and ready to participate in the 6th annual Live Well San Diego 5K and 1-mile Fun Run event at Waterfront Park on Sunday.

Did you join in the fun? Share your event pictures. 

Fitting Fitness Into Your Daily Routine

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Employees at the mills Building Participate in daily zumba dance breaks

Employees at the mills Building Participate in daily zumba dance breaks

Staying active can be hard, especially when work and family obligations fill up your schedule. But starting or keeping up a workout routine doesn’t have to be difficult.

Debbie Ordonez, Revenue & Budget Manager with the Financial & Support Services Division for the Health & Human Services Agency, turned her coffee breaks into dance breaks. Ordonez and a group of County employees at the Mills Building meet up in the building’s fitness center twice a day for 10-15 minutes of Zumba fitness.

“Doing Zumba during the breaks is a way to step away from work, exercise and dance to music,” said Ordonez. “People in the office develop friendships from participating and it’s a fun way to relieve stress and find balance in your life.”

Ordonez and several co-workers started with line dancing breaks about 10 years ago but eventually switched to Zumba since they enjoyed those routines more. The group liked the mini dance breaks so much that they worked with the County’s Employee Wellness Program to bring an hourlong Zumba class to the Mills Building. That class is led by a professional Zumba instructor and meets every Tuesday evening.

The County offers regular onsite workout classes at many of its locations. The Employee Wellness Program also gives you access to relaxation and meditation sessions and various other health resources. Best of all, these are free benefits for all permanent County employees.

But employees like Ordonez also go beyond the classes and start their own routines, inviting co-workers to join them.

Have you and your colleagues started a regular workout during breaks at your worksite to help you de-stress and stay active? Send us a picture and tell us what you do to stay in shape.

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This story came to us from an employee’s suggestion. Suggest a story.

Sheriff's ASTREA Deputies Honored For East County Rescue

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Deputies Bill Liniewicz (center left) and Michael Davis (center right) at the APSA ceremony on July 19.

Deputies Bill Liniewicz (center left) and Michael Davis (center right) at the APSA ceremony on July 19.

They help keep San Diego County safe from high above the ground. Two deputies with the Sheriff's Aerial Support To Regional Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA) helicopter unit have been honored by the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) for the demanding technical rescue of a cross-country skier near Pine Valley earlier this year.

ASTREA Deputy Pilot Bill Liniewicz and ASTREA Tactical Flight Officer Michael Davis received the prestigious Captain 'Gus' Crawford Memorial Aircrew Of The Year Award during a ceremony at the APSA Conference in Omaha, Nebraska on July 19. The honor is given to individuals whose flying efforts and professionalism epitomize the APSA's motto of "To Serve and Protect from the Air." They were chosen from a large number of other award submissions from air support units all across the country.

ASTREA 1 hovering over the distressed cross-country skier on Feb. 24.

ASTREA 1 hovering over the distressed cross-country skier on Feb. 24.

On Feb. 24, Liniewicz and Davis were flying in ASTREA 1 when they were dispatched to a call of a cross-country skier in distress at Big Laguna Lake. When they arrived at the scene, they found the victim had fallen through the frozen lake and was struggling to stay afloat.

Liniewicz and Davis wasted no time in getting the man to safety. While hovering over the skier, ASTREA 1 dragged a flotation device across the ice and into his hands. Once he grabbed it, the skier was gently pulled across the ice to shore where onlookers helped remove his cold, wet clothing and replaced it with some of their own. The skier later said that had ASTREA 1 not arrived when they did, he would not have had the strength to stay afloat or hold on to the rescue device.

The skier was flown to the hospital, treated for severe hypothermia and made a full recovery.

It was the first time Liniewicz and Davis had performed an ice water rescue. They both said the rescue was probably the greatest day of their law enforcement careers.

"The life-saving actions and bravery displayed by Deputies Bill Liniewicz and Michael Davis are a fine example of the dedication and commitment displayed by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department on a daily basis," said Sheriff Bill Gore. "We congratulate our Sheriff's ASTREA Deputies on their incredible honor."