Forest Trail Work Benefits Inland Empire Workers, Recreationists
The San Bernardino National Forest received and awarded ARRA funding in mid-March 2009 for the first group of 'shovel-ready' projects. One project that included $1.5 million to address the tremendous backlog of trail needs at the forest, including maintenance, reconstruction, and survey work, is well underway. The workforce comes from partnerships with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), the California Conservation Corps (CCC), and the newly established Urban Conservation Corps of the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA). These three crews employ up to 55 corps members who come from Inland Empire economically distressed areas. Workers are not only receiving short-term jobs but are also learning about education opportunities and possible long-term 'green employment' with public land management agencies. The LACC ended their service with the forest in mid-August after six months. The SBNFA and CCC are projected to continue through summer 2010. The forest fiscal year 2009 trail maintenance target was 26 miles, but with the service of these crews, the actual accomplishment was 116 miles. Some SBNFA corps members have transitioned from the crew to Forest Service positions.
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Posted:
12:26PM Apr 15, 2010
by Gwen Ernstulrich in USDA Web Site |
First Ten Percent Project Provided Work, Increases Safety
The Sierra Roadside Safety Brushing Project on the Sierra National Forest was a 144-mile project to clear various Forest Service roads of excess vegetation for the safety of the public traveling these roads. The work completed was done within the greater Fresno, Madera, and Mariposa counties. This particular project was a part of the initial 10 percent of approved projects to help get America Back to Work. The $300,000 project was awarded to Sierra Nevada Forestry Services, a minority-owned and-operated company based out of Yuba City that specializes in this type of work all throughout the West Coast. Sierra Nevada Forestry employed between 11 and 25 skilled technicians throughout the entire project. The majority of the skilled crew came from neighboring communities like Mendonta, Firebaugh, and Reedley, which have recently shown major increases in unemployment. Business owner John Acevedo said, "Most of the crewmen would not be working right now if it was not for this project." “We were very fortunate to have this project approved with the initial 10 percent projects. It allowed us to put people back to work quickly and to get critically needed work done in the forest,” said Forest Supervisor Ed Cole. The entire project was completed ahead of schedule and delivered on the promise of putting America Back to Work.
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Posted:
12:20PM Apr 15, 2010
by Gwen Ernstulrich in USDA Web Site |
Ranger Station Gets Extreme Makeover Thanks to Recovery Act, Job Corps
The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region used ARRA funds to partner with four Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers (JCCCC) and one contract Job Corps to do an extreme makeover of the Challenge Work Center, a ranger station built in the 1950s on the Plumas National Forest. In September 2009, carpentry, electrical, and cement mason crews from Angell, Timber Lake, and Wolf Creek JCCCCs in Oregon replaced old shingle roofs with a new metal style and upgraded windows to new energy-efficient types; installed sidewalks, ramps, stairs, and parking areas; built a deck; replaced electrical panels and weather heads; and upgraded wiring on several work center buildings. They pressure-washed structure exteriors and painted inside and out. The plumbers and carpenters remodeled kitchens and bathrooms. Floor covering crews from Collbran JCCCC (Grand Junction, Colorado) and San Diego Job Corps leveled floors and installed carpet and linoleum in the Forest Service housing units and visitor center. Seventy students and 22 Job Corps and Forest Service staff were involved in the month-long project. The work quality and volume as well as operational efficiency the students and staff demonstrated was beyond the scope of the original plan, according to Herman Wendell, Plumas National Forest project manager. "It was the fastest-paced job and the hardest job they've been on in Job Corps," said Tony Longbrake, Wolf Creek cement masonry instructor. Longbrake's nine-man crew accomplished about five times the work for which it was slated. Instead of pouring 70 feet of new sidewalk, the crew poured and smoothed 380 feet of new sidewalk. In addition to the three concrete ramps it was assigned, the crew also formed three concrete slabs that will serve as parking areas and a barbecuing area for the ranger station. "There was always something to do," said Emily Beirnes, 21, a Wolf Creek Job Corps cement masonry trainee from the facility located east of Roseburg, Oregon. The work opportunities gave the Job Corps students the realization that they can take their training into the real world.
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Posted:
12:15PM Apr 15, 2010
by Gwen Ernstulrich in USDA Web Site |
County of Madera Fire Department
Current as of Oct. 2, 2009
Oakhurst Station, $54,375 grant
This project will purchase 12 new sets of structural firefighter safety clothing and a fully equipped command vehicle for the Madera County Fire Department’s Oakhurst station. The existing fire protection equipment does not meet the State’s fire safety code requirements, and must be replaced. The station’s current command vehicle is ten years old and in its deteriorating condition it has become a safety concern.
Oakhurst is an unincorporated community of 2,868 located in Madera County.
Battalion Chief Roy Evans said the department is working on finalizing their budget and is in the process of receiving quotes for the new clothing and the command vehicle. He expects to be able to begin placing orders by the second week of August.
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Posted:
08:23AM Jan 19, 2010
by Charles Hobbs in USDA Web Site |
Imperial County Fire Department
Rural Development is helping the Imperial County Fire Department with three Community Facilities grants for their Heber, Seely and Palo Verde stations. These projects will help the department purchase new thermal imaging cameras for each of the three stations.
Thermal imaging equipment will increase firefighter safety when responding to structural fire emergencies. It allows firefighters to determine if an unsafe or hazardous condition exists prior to entering a building, and will help prevent unnecessary firefighter injuries and deaths.
USDA Rural Development provided a total of $18,450 in grants and the department is leveraging these funds with $10,350 of their own funds.
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Posted:
11:49AM Oct 20, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, Inc – Winterhaven Clinic
Rural Development is helping Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo with a $30,000 Community Facilities grant for their West Shores Clinic in Salton City. The project will purchase office equipment, electronic software and licenses as well as a vehicle to help transport elderly and disabled patients to medical appointments.
Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, Inc. Winterhaven Clinic provides health services to one of the poorest communities in California. The Winterhaven Clinic provides the community a wide range of medical services including primary care, family planning, HIV services, immunizations, and pre- and postnatal care. This project will help improve the level of care the community receives as well as assist in transporting patients to appointments.
They are leveraging this grant with $10,000. In addition to this award, Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo received three other grants for their Niland, West Shores and Mecca Clinics.
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Posted:
01:40PM Oct 19, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, Inc – West Shores Clinic
Rural Development is helping Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo with a $29,625 Community Facilities grant for their West Shores Clinic in Salton City. The project will purchase office equipment, electronic software and licenses as well as equipment to utilize telemedicine technology.
Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, Inc. West Shores Clinic provides health services to communities surrounding the west shores of the Salton Sea. The West Shores Clinic provides the community a wide range of medical services including, but not limited to, primary care, family planning, HIV services, immunizations, and pre and postnatal care.
They are leveraging this grant with $9,875. In addition to this award, Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo received three other grants for their Niland, Winterhaven and Mecca Clinics.
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Posted:
01:38PM Oct 19, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, Inc - Niland Clinic
Rural Development is helping Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo with a $30,000 Community Facilities grant for their Niland Clinic. The project will purchase medical and office equipment, electronic software and licenses to improve the level of health care services. A new security camera system and perimeter fencing will be installed to improve the level security at the clinic.
Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, Inc. Niland Clinic provides health services to one of the poorest communities in California. The Niland Clinic provides the community a wide range of medical services including, primary care, family planning, HIV services, immunizations, and pre- and postnatal care. The proposed project will allow the Niland Clinic to purchase needed medical and electronic equipment to improve the level of care being provided. They are leveraging this grant with $10,000. In addition to this award, Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo received three other grants for their West Shores, Winterhaven and Mecca Clinics.
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Posted:
01:34PM Oct 19, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
County of Madera – Fire Department, Oakhurst Station
Rural Development is helping the Madera County Fire Department with a $54,375 Community Facilities grant. These funds will be used to purchase 12 new sets of structural firefighter safety clothing and a fully equipped command vehicle for the department’s Oakhurst station
The existing fire protection equipment does not meet the State’s fire safety code requirements, and must be replaced. The station’s current command vehicle is ten years old and in its deteriorating condition it has become a safety concern. Oakhurst is an unincorporated community of 2,868 located in Madera County.
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Posted:
01:29PM Oct 19, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
County of Madera – Fire Department
Rural Development is helping the Madera County Fire Department with two Community Facilities grants totaling $37,125. These projects will purchase 12 new sets of structural firefighter safety clothing for the department’s Parksdale station and 25 new sets for the Fairmead Station.
The department’s current fire protection equipment does not meet the State’s fire safety code requirements, and must be replaced.
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Posted:
01:22PM Oct 19, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
Strathmore Fire Protection District
Strathmore Fire Protection District Rural Development is helping Strathmore Fire Protection District with a $50,000 Community Facilities grant. This project will purchase a mini-pumper fire engine for the district. The current fire truck no longer meets standards and could not pass the annual pump test.
The department provides structural, vehicle and wild land fire protection and rescue services and first responder to emergency medical and hazardous material incidents. The new vehicle has adequate lockers to carry a full range of rescue and first aid equipment including the “Jaws of Life” and an automatic external defibrillator.
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Posted:
12:51PM Oct 19, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
City of Livingston
Rural Development is helping the City of Livingston with a $12,045 Community Facilities grant. This project will purchase 25 EMS Medical Jackets, 6 Motorola pagers, 4 portable Kenwood radios, 4 rescue/trucker belts, synthetic hose, and a positive ventilation fan.
The existing fire protection equipment no longer meets the State’s fire safety code. Some of the hoses have been in operation since 1978 and are outdated, requiring increased maintenance and up to seven days drying time before they are ready for use again. EMS jackets will help protect firefighters against blood diseases and the new radios and pagers will increase their communication abilities. The city will leverage this grant with $9,855.
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Posted:
12:49PM Oct 19, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
Frazier Park Public Utility District
Rural Development is helping Frazier Park Public Utility District with a $2.1 million loan and a $1 million grant through our Water and Environmental Program. This project will replace three water storage tanks, upgrade an additional six water storage tanks, replace undersized and leaking water lines, and install hydrants.
Frazier Park’s water supply comes from mountain springs and local wells. The water system is composed of old, deteriorated water tanks, and rusted, leaky, undersized and exposed water lines situated on steep, eroded dirt roads. This is the second phase of the water system improvement project. The first phase funded by Rural Development in 2006 which included a $1.4 million loan and a $1 million grant.
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Posted:
12:43PM Oct 19, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
Sierra County
Rural Development is helping Sierra County with an $80,000 Community Facilities grant. This project will build an ambulance shed in Alleghany which will include the 40 x 60 metal building structures, foundation, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, plans and specifications including construction inspections. The current ambulance shed is in decay, causing leaks and improper insulation during winter months. For months out of the year the ambulance is kept in below freezing temperatures, which has made the unit nearly impossible to start in the evening and morning hours. Often it can take emergency crews 5 minutes or more just to get the engine warm enough to run. This amount of time is what most residents would expect their unit to arrive on the site. Keeping this response time as low as possible is critical to the residence of Alleghany.
The county will donate land to house the new ambulance shed, since the current lot is too small. They are leveraging this grant with $95,000.
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Posted:
12:41PM Oct 19, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
City of Maricopa – Police Department
Rural Development is helping the City of Maricopa’s Police Department with a $60,000 grant. The project will purchase a full-equipped patrol vehicle, replace a 20-year old radar trailer, and purchase solar speed control signs and school crossing signals. The city re-established its police department in 2005 but officers have been using vehicles with very high mileage and over 12 years old. Rural Development helped replace one of the old vehicles in 2008, and this grant will help replace the second aging vehicle. The city is leveraging this grant with $20,000.
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Posted:
11:19AM Oct 08, 2009
by Sarah Pursley in USDA Web Site |
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Thursday Apr 15, 2010
