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July 2013 - Vol.06, No.07
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| Message from the Chief | |
June 30, 2013 was a tragic day for the 19 Prescott Fire Department Hotshot firefighters, their families and friends, co-workers, community members and public safety professionals across the nation. The firefighters were killed while battling an out-of-control wildfire in Yarnell, Arizona. Their deaths are a heartbreaking reminder of the serious dangerous associated with combating wildfires. Ironically, Santa Clara County fire departments conducted a three-day wildland fire training exercise on June 25, 26 and 27 at Sanborn County Park in Saratoga. The annual event, coordinated by the Santa Clara County Fire Chiefs Association, provided an opportunity for firefighters, police officers, medical volunteers, and other emergency responders to work together during simulated emergency scenarios. The scenarios allowed participating agencies the opportunity to practice the following skills:
- In-County mutual aid response
- Evaluate wildland mutual aid operational readiness
- Test radio communications and interoperability
- Deployment of the Multidiscipline Incident Management Overhead Team
- Exercise County logistics and incident support resources
- Progressive hose lay, structure defense, hand tool manipulation, shelter deployment, drafting and wildland urban interfacing strategy and tactics
Representatives from across the county were invited to observe the training in order to better understand the issues associated with wildland fire response and the importance of regular an on-going multidisciplinary regional training. I had the opportunity to attend and was very impressed with the quality of training and the level of engagement of all involved.
Following the deadly Yarnell fire, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) encouraged all members of the fire service to take an "operational pause" in remembrance of all firefighters who have lost their lives fighting wildland fires, but also to reflect upon the dangerous and risk associated with wildland firefighting operations. The DPS Fire Bureau took this advice and conducted a "safety stand down" with each fire team. The fire teams used this time to discuss not only wildland firefighting dangers, but also dangers associated with daily municipal firefighting operations.
As we keep all those associated with the 19 Hotshot firefighters killed in the line of duty in our thoughts and prayers, we also use this tragic event as a reminder of the seriousness associated with public safety services. Wishing everyone a safe rest of the summer!
Chief Grgurina
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Special Olympics Summer Games | |
Eighty Two Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Five
By Lt. Tracy Hern
 What does the number 82,875 mean to you? To me it means a chance to succeed and an opportunity to be a hero to a population that is pure innocence, at its core. On a weekend that was breaking temperature records throughout Northern California, a group of Special Olympics athletes came together to compete against one another at The University of California Davis for the Northern California Special Olympics Summer Games.
On Friday, June 28, the Neighborhood Resource Officers from the Crime Prevention Unit got to witness the payoff for all of the hard work accomplished throughout the year during the fundraising efforts for Special Olympics NorCal. The four NROs and I had the unique honor of being part of the Wall of Honor for the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Special Olympics Summer Games. The Wall of Honor is a chance for the Special Olympic athletes to thank law enforcement officers for their fundraising efforts and donations earned throughout the year. The athletes enter the stadium at UC Davis through a large gauntlet of officers. High fives, hugs, tears and heartfelt "thank yous" are all occurring at once, and all while the athletes get to meet their "heroes" in person.
 The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety raised over $14,000 in 2012 through "Tip-a-Cop" events, the Power Pull at California's Great America and through T-shirt sales and sponsorships for the "Torch Run." During the Opening Ceremonies, after the Wall of Honor introduction, the law enforcement groups from Northern California presented a check to Special Olympics Northern California, for $1.1 Million.
 Then, on Saturday, June 29 I again had the unique experience to witness true innocence and triumphant character. I had the honor of presenting medals and ribbons to the athletes after they competed in their events. Whether it was an 8th place participation ribbon or a gold medal, all of the athletes were honored, appreciative and happy. Their innocence shined while they were happier for their competitors for their win, than they were upset about not coming in first themselves. Every athlete showed their triumphant character for participating in their events and overcoming ANY obstacles that got in their way. Watching a teenage girl wiggle out of a wheelchair and into the pool and then swim the 50 yard freestyle, or seeing the 10 year old blind, autistic boy that used a cane to guide him down the left side of the track in the 100 yard dash, just made me realize that I have no room to complain about anything!
As I asked before, "What does the number 82,875 mean to you?" That is the number of high fives that the 85 officers received from the 650 athletes and more than 300 coaches. However, to me the number 82,875 truly means success. Seeing the smiling faces, tears of joy and proud athletes overcome by excitement means that we as a community, have succeeded in providing for a population that otherwise would not have had this opportunity. So, what does the number 82,875 mean to you now?
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Junior Giants |
 Sunnyvale PAL kicked off its first season of Junior Giants Baseball the second week of June with 10 teams, 140 players, and almost 30 volunteer coaches and team parents. Practices began June 10 and will be held throughout the season at Lakewood Park, Columbia Park, and Fairoaks Park. League games started on Saturday, June 22 and will held at Lakewood Park. This year the league consisted of two divisions. Division I (7U) is tee-ball for players 5-7 years old. Division II (10U) has players from 8-10 years old. The majority of the boys and girls are entry level players who haven't played organized baseball. On the field, they have had a great time learning basic fundamentals and skills of the game as proud parents watched. Off the field, the players gather with their teammates and learn fundamental life lessons with the Junior Giants Program. The lessons include round table discussions with their teammates and activities at home with Mom and Dad that focus on confidence, integrity, leadership, and teamwork. So far, the players are doing very well and look forward to many rewards as they complete their weekly assignments.
 In the first week of June, a Junior Giants Community Fund (league organizer) representative contacted the league commissioners with a limited offer of free tickets for the SF Giants game against the NY Mets on Tuesday June 9. The tickets were first come, first serve to the Junior Giants players and family. They were snapped up within the hour and many young Junior Giants experienced their first major league baseball game at AT&T Park!
 To date, our first season of Junior Giants Baseball has been a big success with the young participates. Dusty uniforms and big smiles all around.
Come on out to the field and check out our Junior Giants in action! Next season, we look forward to expanding the league by adding more Division I & II teams, as well as adding a third division for players 11-13 years old. Look for the 2014 season registration announcement in March or April 2014 www.sunnyvalepal.com |
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Fill the Boot
|  On Saturday, June 8 Sunnyvale PSOA coordinated the annual "Fill the Boot" fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). MDA is the world's leading nonprofit health organization sponsoring research seeking the causes of and effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases. MDA research grants currently are supporting more than 250 projects worldwide.
Approximately 70 volunteers including Public Safety officers, dispatchers, records clerks, administrative personnel and their families donated their time to help raise almost $40,000 for MDA! For more information about this organization please visit their website www.mda.org
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Tip a Cop at FireHouse Brewery
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Special Olympics Tip a Cop at FireHouse Brewery on July 10 raised $3575!
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| |  For questions and comments about the Sunnyvale DPS newsletter Beyond the Badge, you can e-mail us at: pubsfty@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us
© 2010-2013 City of Sunnyvale, CA |
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