County Reps Update

The Division of Environmental Health began the year on a sad note. Our Division Chief, Daniel Avera, retired. He dedicated many years to the county serving the public as well as bringing our division up to speed with several technological advances. Smiles emerged several months later, when our very own Program Manager, Terri William, was promoted to Division Chief. She leads this division forward in the middle of tough economic times. Terri has a positive attitude and a great team supporting her innovative ideas and in keeping this division afloat as other departments furlough and/or lay off employees. At this time, our division has not had to depend on such extreme measures. We welcome Terri with open arms and raised sleeves as we continue to serve the public and leap forward with new cost saving ideas. Several suggestions have been introduced to the county, including the purchase of a few Smart Cars, which is still in its trial stages. We are uncertain as to whether this car is more cost and fuel efficient than the Toyota Prius. This environmentally friendly vehicle has been the car of choice this last year in an effort to be mindful of our environment. Also, our division has successful implemented the Envision Connect program on Panasonic Tough Book computers to be used by inspectors in the field. As inspectors conduct their routine restaurant and/or pool inspections, reports are written on site and reviewed by the operator in an electronic format. In order to "go green" reports are now regularly emailed to each facility. The implementation of this program has been such a success that other counties are highly considering using a similar program.

For the second consecutive year, the San Bernardino County Division of Environmental Health was designated the National Association of Counties (NaCo) 2009 Achievement Award. The application that was submitted described our "Employee Enhancement and Leadership Model." The model described how new and creative ways were developed to expand additional training opportunities and leadership training to staff at all levels. It provides an environment for employee team building, coaching/mentoring, employee motivation, group collaboration, succession, planning, confidence building/employee empowerment, and project management. It took a tremendous amount of time and effort into accomplishing a well written submittal.

Check out the upgrades on our website!! Our division recently upgraded its website to be more user-friendly. The format and pictures easily guides users to applications, forms, handouts, office locations, and restaurant ratings. Recently, our Ontario office was closed and a new office opened in Rancho Cucamonga. Hey High Desert!! The Environmental Health Department is looking forward to moving from Victorville to the new Government Center currently under construction in Hesperia. Expectations are high for a 2010 opening, but delays may occur. We will keep you posted. All of our current office locations in Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, and Victorville can be viewed on our website. Check us out at www.sbcounty.gov/dehs before eating out.

San Bernardino County is excited in participating in the up-coming 2010 AES at the Riverside Convention Center and lodging at the Mission Inn. Please contact any of the county representative or Citrus Chapter Board Members if you are interested in assisting with this event. Volunteers are welcomed and are greatly needed. See you there!!

Orange County (Lauren Marques)

Orange County Environmental Health, OCEH, has gone above and beyond in 2009. Our Food Protection Program, Hazardous Waste Surveillance and Mitigation, Water Quality, and Specialized Programs have been working diligently to protect the public and environment through education and regulation. We acknowledge that protection through public outreach is equally as important as our enforcement. OCEH works hard so the public may rest at easy knowing that our beaches, public pools, restaurants, and water are safe for their enjoyment.

The Food Protection Program will be posting new seals as part of its enhanced public notification system beginning October 1, 2009. These placards assist patrons with making an informed decision regarding food safety prior to entering the food facility. The Department has recently been offering "How to Get a Pass" workshops for food facility operators. To access inspection reports of restaurants before eating out please refer to our website at www.ocfoodinfo.com.

The Pottery Survey Project is a new program that has been implemented under the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP). The Potter Survey Project identifies locations where lead-contaminated pottery is sold. The surveys are conducted at permitted food facilities and swap meets in target cities. If pottery is tested positive for lead-contamination it will either be removed from the facility, destroyed, or have holes bored into the food contact surface. Follow-up inspections will occur to ensure that the pottery is no longer in circulation. The survey helps to identify the distributor of the lead-contaminated pottery, which will be immediately reported to the California Department of Public Health Services Food and Drug Branch. To refer a facility selling lead-contaminated pottery please email OCEH at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

OCEH plays a vital role in the disaster response exercise to an unlikely event of an emergency at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). The SONGS exercise provides us with an opportunity to hone our skills in tracking plumes and assists us in identifying issues that may arise later as the mock emergency unfolds. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be grading the exercise. We are confident that our staff will perform well during the evaluation!

The Local Oversight Program (LOP) spoke to the California State Water Resources Control Board (CSWRCB) regarding the reduction of available funds for reimbursement for cleanup of leaking petroleum underground storage tanks. Orange County was able to request that criteria for the reimbursement should be based upon the potential impacts to drinking water sources. We are being proactive to assure that our water is protected from contamination.

As our mission statement states, "Environmental Health is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Orange County residents and visitors through the promotion of good environmental health practices and exceptional customer service." If interested in making a positive difference in our community and being a part of our dynamic and innovative team please visit the link http://ochealthinfo.com/hr/ for job opportunities and inquiries. We would also like to invite everyone to the 2010 AES at the Riverside Convention Center and Mission Inn. Please contact the County Representative, Lauren Marques, at (714) 433-6113 if you are interested in assisting with this event. We hope to see you there!

Riverside County (Sandi Delao)

Early this year the Department of Environmental Health was reconfigured. Deputy Director, John Watkins, now oversees the Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) and Environmental Resource Management (ERM) Division. Deputy Director, Keith Jones, now oversees the District Environmental Services (DES) Division. The department has recently filled four newly created program chief positions. A Program Chief is a management position below the Deputy Director. Each Program Chief will coordinate and direct several programs throughout the department. Program Chiefs will act as the liaison to local, state, and federal agencies. Dottie Merki is the new Program Chief responsible for mobile home parks, trash and sewage, vector control, and tobacco permitting programs. Lynne Wilder is the Program Chief overseeing food and pool facilities, organized camps, and the plan check programs. Jeff Johnson is the program Chief in charge of ERM and Jim Ray is the Program Chief for HAZMAT. Due to budget cuts and mandatory furloughs all of the Riverside County offices are now closed on Fridays. In an effort to keep the public posted on new office hours please refer to the website, www.check-here-first.com. You can search by department, service, or address to find information about hours of operation of any county agency.

District Environmental Services has officially taken over the Tobacco Permitting Program. The DES inspectors will be conducting routine inspections at all facilities selling tobacco and tobacco related products in Riverside County. By using youth decoys and stricter enforcement policy the tobacco permitting program will concentrate on eliminating all tobacco sales to minors in Riverside County. Also new to DES is that all restaurant grade postings and recent inspection report violations can be found online at www.rivcoeh.com. All members of the public can look up their favorite restaurants or investigate a future food facility option by looking up their most recent health score before actually eating there!

Shortly after our last newsletter was published the Illegal Food Program was eliminated due to the loss of franchise fee money. Although we no longer have a specific team of inspectors out in the field putting a stop to these operators, our Special Projects Department has been working hard to educate members of the public to stay away from these unpermitted food vendors. The department was awarded the FDA grant for the second year in a row in order to pursue the public education campaign entitled "Make the Smart Choice." The goal of the campaign is to educate the public on the dangers of consuming foods from the unpermitted vendors. The campaign poses these questions to the consumer: Where do these unpermitted food vendors receive their food products? Is their kitchen clean? When vending from the roadside where are these vendors washing their hands or sanitizing their utensils? Answers to these questions could be frightening! The public is encouraged to purchase food from vendors that are inspected and permitted by the Department of Environmental Health. Pictures are provided of approved carts and mobile food facilities with valid permit decals. The Special Projects staff has given the presentation at several community organized health fairs and events, public schools, and libraries throughout the county educating people of all ages. They have even designed special coloring books and activity worksheets for children. All materials are offered in English and Spanish. All county vehicles now display a special decal that reads "Food from illegal vendors can make you sick! Make the smart choice, Look for the Permit." The department has applied for The Excellence in Environmental Health Award for the campaign which is given by the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH). Please check the Riverside county website for more information.

Riverside County is looking forward to the 2010 AES at the Riverside Convention Center and Mission Inn. Please contact Sandi Delao at (951) 358-5172 or any other county representative if you are interested in helping with the conference. Hope to see everyone there!