Tag Archives: Tuscon

Lifesaving Award Presentation to Professional Responders

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TUSCON — On July 13, 2019, an elderly male seated near the swimming pool appeared to be sleeping when a lifeguard approached him, however the man was unresponsive. The lifeguard activated the emergency action plan to immediately respond and assist the individual. Through the coordination of six staff members, three-person CPR and AED interventions were administered to save the individual’s life.

“Based on the professional actions of our Town of Marana lifeguard staff, the patient is alive, has no neurological deficits, and is at home with his family recovering from this life-threating experience,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy.

“The Town of Marana commends the Red Cross for the training and setting the standard that our staff followed to save a life,” Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta added.

For their heroic and lifesaving actions, six staff members of Marana Arizona Parks and Recreation Department: Kevin Goodrich, Noah McConnell, Joshua Larsen, Clayton Hall, Brinley Miller and Spencer Murphy will receive the Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders at the Marana Community Center at 1:00 pm. The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders is one of the highest awards given by the American Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

“We’re extremely honored to present the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders to six staff members of Marana Arizona Parks and Recreation” said Courtney Slanaker, Executive Director. “Their actions exemplify our mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.”

Sonoran Corridor: We want to know what you think

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TUCSON – Nearly halfway through a three-year environmental study, state and federal transportation officials want your input on a proposed Sonoran Corridor connecting Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 south of Tucson International Airport.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will hold a public information meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, to hear public comments and suggestions for the Sonoran Corridor. The meeting will be held at the Desert Diamond Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Highway in Tucson. A presentation will begin at 6 p.m.

The Sonoran Corridor has been designated as a high-priority corridor under the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. It would support and connect the economy of southern Arizona and the entire state. It also would reduce travel distances south of Tucson and relieve congestion at the current interchange of I-10 and I-19 southwest of downtown Tucson.State and federal officials are identifying and studying a range of possible corridors along with the opportunities and constraints of each. The study considers the potential social, economic and natural environment impacts of the alternatives, as well as the impact of not building a freeway in this area.

The Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study is a three-year process developed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Expected to be completed in 2020, the Tier 1 study is evaluating multiple 2,000-foot-wide corridor alternatives that would connect I-19 and I-10 south of the Tucson International Airport. The study will evaluate a no-build alternative and multiple build alternatives to determine a recommendation that is based on technical analysis and other factors, including public input.

A future Tier 2 environmental study would advance the Tier 1 recommendations to identify the specific project alignment, effects and mitigation. There is no timeline or funding identified for the Tier 2 study.

For more information about this study, please visit azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor.

The meetings are part of the public involvement process that allows the community the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments and concerns about potential locations for the proposed corridor as well as environmental considerations, impacts on wildlife habitat and cultural resources, and other modes of transportation that may be considered.

Public comment also is welcome through October 26 in several ways:

* Email: Sonorancorridor@azdot.gov

* Toll-free bilingual information line: 855.712.8530

* Mail: Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 EIS Study Team,m c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave., Mail Drop T100, Tucson, AZ 85713

The September 26 meeting is a follow-up to public meetings held in Tucson and Sahuarita in June 2017.

ADOT partners with Tucson-area tribe on Construction Academy

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TUCSON – Twenty-seven members of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe earned their certification to work as flaggers on tribal construction projects through a free Construction Academy sponsored by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

After completing a series of weekend courses, participants in the Pascua Yaqui Reservation Tribal Employment Rights Organization Construction Academy are now qualified to work on road projects on the reservation, located in the southwest Tucson area.

Fifteen participants will serve as flaggers for six months on road projects administered by the Tribal Employment Rights Organization, while the remaining 12 will work as general laborers. After six months, participants will switch roles.

“The Pascua Yaqui Tribe is expanding its horizons by offering increased opportunity for learning, particularly with our youth,” Tribal Chairman Robert Valencia said. “We are very interested in developing additional programs similar to the Construction Academy in the very near future and have very high expectations that the outcomes of this Academy will be successful.”

ADOT offers the Construction Academy Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program through its On-The-Job-Training Supportive Services Program, part of the agency’s Business Engagement and Compliance Office. All Construction Academy programs are designed to remove barriers to construction careers for women and minority individuals and to help participants move on to construction apprenticeships and eventually reach journeyman status, with ADOT continuing to provide support and guidance.

“Construction Academy programs benefit the transportation industry while they connect people with careers,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Our partnership with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe is one way we are providing this opportunity to more and more people around Arizona.”

Flagger certification is just one of the training opportunities available to women, minorities and members of economically disadvantaged groups, including those who are out of work, through these ADOT programs. Individuals also can receive training that will help them become concrete finishers, block masons, highway surveyors, heavy equipment operators and commercial drivers.

ADOT’s On-The-Job Training Supportive Services Program will receive $112,000 in funding from the Federal Highway Administration to continue offering workforce-development initiatives in the coming federal fiscal year, which begins in October.

In addition to training provided directly by ADOT, Construction Academy programs sponsored by ADOT also are offered through Gila Community College, Gateway Community College and, starting this fall, Pima Community College and Pima County Joint Technical Education School District.

ADOT covers training costs and fees for participants and provides support including transportation and child care assistance, job-readiness training and safety gear such as hard hats and protective eyewear.

For more information or to apply for a Construction Academy, please visit azdot.gov/BECO, call 602.712.7761 or pick up materials at the ADOT Business Engagement and Compliance Office, 1801 W. Jefferson St., Suite 101, in Phoenix.

State Route 366 reopens on Mount Graham

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PHOENIX – State Route 366 has reopened on Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona after a six-week closure due to the danger of flooding and debris flows after the Frye Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The road, also known as Swift Trail, connects with US 191 about 20 miles south of Safford. It had been closed at Ladybug Saddle near milepost 131, but as of Thursday, Sept. 14, it’s open again to Columbine at milepost 143.

The U.S. Forest Service is reopening areas of the Coronado National Forest that were closed due to the Frye Fire, but some recreational sites remain closed pending repairs. More information is available at www.fs.usda.gov/coronado.

Drivers may encounter ADOT or Forest Service work crews along SR 366 and could experience delays up to 30 minutes.

Red Cross Issues 10 Ways to Help Keep Kids Safe as They Head Back to School

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TUSCON — School will be back in session soon and the American Red Cross has steps everyone can follow to help make the trip back to the classroom a safe one.

“Safety should be the top priority for all students, especially younger children and those heading to school for the first time,” said Kurt Kroemer, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Greater Phoenix.   “Whether riding, biking or walking to school, we want everyone to arrive and then return home safely.”

 

TOP TEN SAFETY TIPS

 

If children ride a bus to school, they should plan to get to their bus stop early and stand back from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Other safety steps include:

  1. Wait to board the bus until it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has signaled to get on.
  2. Tell children they should only board their bus – never an alternate one.
  3. Always stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.
  4. Cross the street at the corner, obey traffic signals and stay in the crosswalk.
  5. Never dart out into the street, or cross between parked cars.
  6. Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8-12 and over 4’9”) and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
  7. If a teenager is driving to school, parents should mandate that he or she use seat belts. Drivers should not use their cell phone to text or make calls, and should avoid eating or drinking while driving.
  8. Some students ride their bike to school. They should always wear a helmet and ride on the right in the same direction as the traffic is going.
  9. When students are walking to school, they should only cross the street at an intersection. If possible, use a route with crossing guards.
  10. Parents should walk young children to school, along with children taking new routes or attending new schools, at least for the first week to ensure they know how to get there safely. Arrange for the kids to walk to school with a friend or classmate.

 

WHAT DRIVERS SHOULD KNOW Drivers should know what the yellow and red bus signals mean and be aware that children are out walking or biking to school and slow down – especially in residential areas and school zones. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers in both directions must stop their vehicles and wait until the lights go off, the stop sign is back in place and the bus is moving before they can start driving again.

 

Parents should also make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 9-1-1. They should also teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.

 

TAKE A FIRST AID CLASS Red Cross training can give someone the confidence and skills to help with everyday emergencies from paper cuts to school sports injuries. A variety of online and in-class courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass. People can download the free Red Cross First Aid App (redcross.org/apps) for instant access to expert advice whenever and wherever needed.

 

AZGFD seizes deer, bobcat and javelina, advises public to leave baby wildlife alone

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TUSCON – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has seized a deer, bobcat and javelina since June 2 that were illegally taken captive while young by Tucson area residents and reared as pets.

The mule deer buck was taken to the AZGFD Wildlife Center in Phoenix for treatment, and then will go to Bearizona in Williams. The bobcat was placed at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, and the javelina moved to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale.

Taking captive and holding young wildlife is illegal take of wildlife, and illegal possession of restricted wildlife, in addition to being a public safety hazard. Circumstances warranted issuing only warnings in these cases.

“In the majority of cases, it is best to leave all baby wildlife alone. People’s desire to help seemingly abandoned animals can have unintended negative consequences,” said Regional Supervisor Raul Vega of Game and Fish in Tucson. “Although it seems humane to ’help’ or ’rescue’ baby animals perceived to be in need, wildlife reared in captivity by humans — without the benefit of learning from their parents — have a greatly reduced chance of survival if they are released back into the wild.”

In most instances, baby mammals should be left in place, untouched, unless obviously injured. Although they may appear orphaned, baby mammals are typically left alone by their mother for long periods of time while she forages for food and water.

Baby mammals that are immobile and at immediate risk of injury can be moved, if necessary, to a safe location nearby that provides appropriate cover. The mother will likely find the relocated baby by smell or hearing and continue to provide care, provided that people and pets stay away.

If a well-meaning person separates a baby mammal from its mother, it may result in euthanizing the animal unless a zoo or shelter can take it. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer further complicates the issue, as a possessed fawn is suspect because Game and Fish cannot verify that the animal is not from a state where the disease occurs.

CWD, similar to Mad Cow Disease, is a fatal neurological condition. There have been no cases in Arizona, but there have been in nearby states. For more information, the public can visit http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_injured_sick.shtml for more tips and a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Arizona.

Saving steps is paying big dividends at ADOT’s vehicle-repair shops

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TUSCON — At the Tucson shop where the Arizona Department of Transportation repairs and maintains vehicles, technicians once rolled tires across the facility to reach a machine used for repairs.

Today, that machine is located next to the operation’s tire storage, along with the tools and supplies needed for the work. As a result, far fewer steps are required to repair tires.

Technicians once lost time searching various drawers for the right nuts, bolts, fittings and electronic connectors. Today, drawers are color-coded according to items, sizes and uses, better connecting technicians with what they need for a particular repair.

Rather than lugging containers of wiper fluid, technicians now create it by adding tablets with water to a vehicle’s wiper fluid holder. In addition to being a little less expensive, this approach frees space once required to store all of that wiper fluid.

“The littlest details make a big difference,” said Harry Edwards, the foreman.

As ADOT answers Governor Doug Ducey’s call for state agencies to continuously improve all aspects of their operations, employees at the Tucson Equipment Services shop are identifying ways to do their jobs more efficiently, down to how they organize their workstations.

“One of the things we’re challenged to do as employees is look for opportunities to improve upon what we did yesterday,” said Sonya Herrera, director of ADOT’s Administrative Services Division, which includes Equipment Services. “And I think the Tucson shop is a great example of how small changes, when added together, lead to a huge improvement.”

The payoff goes beyond more efficient repairs and maintenance for ADOT vehicles ranging from trucks to snowplows. Dozens of agencies contract with Equipment Services, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, police departments and school districts.

Improvements to date include a tracking system for specialized diagnostic tools that technicians share.

“Rather than spending time looking for it or searching for it, they know exactly who has that tool and can touch base with them to find out when it will be available,” Herrera said.

Devin Darlek, ADOT Equipment Services administrator, notes that applying continuous improvement techniques costs nothing in most cases while producing savings in time and taxpayer money. It’s also spurring a healthy competition among all 23 ADOT Equipment Services shops to identify improvements.

“Process improvements are contagious,” Darlek said. “All employees are excited about this and are working to plug in their own ideas.”

All through the Tucson shop, employees are evaluating processes and procedures to cut down on the steps – and time – needed to perform work. Reducing steps increases the shop’s capacity for other work.

They noticed, for example, that a machine used to remove, repair and mount light tires was in great demand. But it was located in the north end of the shop, while new tires were stored at the south end. Fetching the right supplies and tools for tire repairs involved more trips.

The employees’ review found that mounting and balancing a tire required 277 steps.

Moving the machine in question to where tires are stored, and next to the right supplies and tools, reduced the number of steps required to mount and balance a tire to 28.

Employees saved more steps by taking a close look at each technician’s workspace, and then reorganizing – rebuilding workbenches in some cases – to focus on the tasks each person performs most often as well as ergonomics.

After employees assessed which items in the parts area were in highest demand, Kevin Potts, the facility’s equipment parts supervisor, moved those items closer to the entrance. Where it once took 10 steps to dispense one of the faster-moving parts, it now takes just three.

That improvement also has reduced inventory, which in turn reduces overhead costs, and made accounting for inventory much more efficient.

“Instead of having three months of inventory sitting on my shelf, I’ve got just two or three weeks of inventory sitting on my shelf because I have really good vendors 20 minutes away,” Potts said.

Technician Shane Blasdel said the many improvements to date at the Tucson shop offer benefits beyond saving steps.

“Shop’s a lot cleaner, a lot more efficient, a lot safer,” Blasdel said.

Because continuous improvement is, by definition, continuous, accomplishments to date are just a start.

“No idea’s too small,” said Edwards, the Tucson shop foreman.

Bearizona assists AGFD in rescuing a troublesome bear

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800-bear-lemmonWILLIAMS — Wildlife Park officials at Bearizona report that they have worked with Arizona Game & Fish to facilitate a rescue of a young female bear that was seen multiple times around the Mt. Lemmon area. The bear reportedly followed hikers, tried to get into homes and had no fear of humans. In cases like this, usually the bear would be euthanized.

Often time’s bears will venture into campsites or urban areas for food that is more easily accessible. That’s where the saying a fed bear is a dead bear comes from. It’s important for people to clean up after themselves while camping and not make it easy for bears to get a quick meal. If a bear finds easily obtainable food and/or food trash, the animal will continue to return until the food source is gone.

Black bears usually avoid people, but are attracted to human food and trash. The AGFD reminds campers to be “bear aware” by doing the following:

  1. Keeping a clean camp or picnic site.
  2. Stowing food, pet food, trash and picnic coolers out of sight and out of smell range of bears.
  3. Utilizing bear-proof food and trash receptacles where provided.
  4. Washing and stowing cooking utensils immediately following use.
  5. Not taking odorous items (toothpaste, lotions, etc.) or clothing used while cooking into tents.
  6. Keeping pets leashed.
  7. Avoiding contact with bears.

If bears are seen in the distance, it is advisable for visitors to change their route to avoid contact. If approached by a bear, discourage contact by looking large and imposing, waving arms or jacket, making loud noises and giving the bear an opportunity to leave the area.

Sean Casey, Bearizona’s owner stated “This past year we enacted a birth control plan for all of our bears. Cubby and Rizzo, our current cubs, will very likely be the last bear cubs born at the Park. We do this so we are able to rescue bears out of the wild when possible. Unfortunately we won’t be able to rescue every bear in need, but we are moving in a direction to rescue when the situation works for all parties involved.”

“We are fortunate to have found a new home for her,” said AZGFD Region 5 Supervisor Raul Vega. “That rarely is possible with common species like black bears. So this story has a happy ending, but it could have gone another way. Young bears that seem dangerous grow up to be large bears that are aggressive.”

Out of all of the bears that call Bearizona home, over 60% were rescued. Bearizona’s newest addition named “Lemmon” after Mt. Lemmon in Tucson where she lived, will stay in mandatory quarantine for 30 days before being released into the cub exhibit with Cubby and Rizzo.

Fire equipment vendors invited to information session

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The USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region announces an information meeting for vendors interested in providing resources to support wildfires and other emergency incidents.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, from 1 to 4 p.m. MST via video teleconference at Forest Service offices throughout Arizona.

The meeting will discuss a variety of topics including:

  • How to become a government vendor
  • How to locate and respond to solicitations through the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system
  • How to read and understand contract requirements for specific equipment

In fiscal year 2016, the Southwestern Region is seeking competitive quotations for Water Handling Equipment, which includes Engines, Support Water Tenders, and Tactical Water Tenders with trained operators to support wildfires during the course of a three-year agreement.

Interested vendors can obtain copies of the solicitations at https://www.fbo.gov. Type VIPR into the keyword search box and press Search to obtain a list of VIPR solicitations from all over the country. Look for the ones from the Southwestern Region, Region 3. You can also search on Solicitation No. AG-8371-S-16-7000.

Vendors can attend the meeting at any of the following Arizona locations:

Apache-Sitgreaves NFs — Supervisor’s Office
30 S. Chiricahua Drive, Springerville, AZ

Coconino NF — Supervisor’s Office
1824 S. Thompson Street, Flagstaff, AZ

North Kaibab Ranger District
430 South Main Street, Fredonia, AZ

Prescott Fire Center
2400 Melville Road, Prescott, AZ

Tonto NF — Supervisor’s Office
2324 East McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ

Tucson Fire Center
2646 E. Commerce Center Place, Tucson, AZ

For information about VIPR go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vipr.php or contact Anne Weiskircher, Region 3 Fire Contracting Officer, at aweiskircher@fs.fed.us.

Sixty-Two-Year-Old Man Falls to his Death

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coco-sheriff-300pxFLAGSTAFF — On Thursday, July 16, 2015 at approximately 2:27 pm Sheriff/Police Emergency Dispatchers received the report of a man and his dog who had fallen off of a cliff. The location of the accident was off of the north end of Forest Service road 237 in the area of Chevelon Canyon located north of Forest Lakes.

Coconino Sheriff’s Deputies, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue unit, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, United States Forest Service personnel, Forest Lakes Fire Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Crews based in Flagstaff and Phoenix assisted with this call.

Emergency First Responders met with the reporting party on Forest Service road 237 to obtain more information regarding the accident. According, to the reporting party, the victim and his blind dog were walking along the top of the rim when they both fell off of a cliff that was about 500 to 600 feet above the canyon floor. The AZ DPS Air Rescue crew from Flagstaff flew the area and spotted the victim about 300 feet below the cliff he fell from. Due to the extremely rough terrain on the canyon floor the helicopter was not able to safely land at the location where the victim came to rest. A crew member described the victim as not moving and unresponsive. A second AZ DPS Air Rescue crew responded from Phoenix and was able to lower a DPS Technical Rescue Officer to the deceased victim’s location. The technician prepared the body for transport and they were flown out of the area utilizing the short haul method. The dog was found deceased approximately 10 feet from the victim’s location.

The victim has been identified as 62 year old Glen Dickinson of Tucson, Arizona.