Category Archives: Bike Trail

Bike Trail, Fire, Rafting, safety, Water

Proposed fire cuts could cut out rescue teams

Sacramento Fire Department’s special operations could be cut out of the 2012-2013 fiscal city budget; affecting several programs whose focus is rescue and public protection.

The water boat rescue program; heavy and confined space rescue; high angle and low angle; and trench rescue teams would be completely eliminated from the department. Three out of four hazmat teams would also disappear.

The SFD’s union said fire fighters respond to almost 80,000 calls each year. Only 500 of those calls are for hazmat, but fire fighters said those are the critical calls.

“You’re talking about vapor releases and liquid toxins that can kill on impact,” said Todd Filburn of Fire Fighters Local 522.

On the American River, families were enjoying the shallow end of the water, but were cautious of the swift and cold currents.

“You have to do your part to be safe, because the time rescuers can get to you, it’s too late,” said father Barry Cookson, who was tying inner tubes together and anchoring the line to a cement brick.

“That way the kids just float in a circle and you don’t lose anyone, because you will lose someone in the river.”

More at News10.net >>>

Bike Trail, Fire, safety, Water

Grass Fires Break Out In Sacramento Overnight

 

Despite the cooler temperatures overnight a couple of grass fires broke out overnight in Sacramento keeping fire fighters busy.

One fire started around 2:00 Monday morning near the levy at the end of 10th Street near the American River.

The blaze burned nearly half an acre before crews got it under control.

Officials say the fire was likely started in a homeless camp.

More at cbslocal.com >>>

Bike Trail, Rafting, safety, Wildlife

Rattlesnake season puts pets at risk in Sacramento area

Less than a day after a baby rattlesnake struck him, Bowser – a mixed Labrador and heeler puppy – pranced to his car, waited for his swelling to go down and relished tummy rubs from his owner, Nick Delgado.

Bowser is one of the luckier animals bitten by rattlesnakes in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado and Amador counties recently. Some didn’t survive their bites.

Delgado and Jessica Cobian said they were walking Tuesday near the American River in Rancho Cordova when Bowser, who was on a leash in front of them, lunged forward and sniffed the ground. When the nearly 1-year-old dog perked his head up, a 10-inch-long baby rattlesnake bit his snout.

More at ModBee.com >>>

Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Thousands of families pack river for Memorial Day weekend

Thousands of people are expected to pack area rivers this Memorial Day weekend.

Rescue crews will be out at Discovery Park urging rafters and swimmers to wear life jackets in the river.

Drowning Accident Rescue Team President Bob Erickson said he is 90 percent sure his team will be called out to perform a rescue.

Park rangers will be cracking down on those breaking the booze ban.

They will issue citations if necessary.

Sacramento Metro fire officials said 60 percent of the drownings they respond to every year are alcohol-related.

Pool safety is also a big concern, especially for children.

More at KCRA.com >>>
Bike Trail, Rafting, safety

Sacramento County Parks To Use Volunteer Rangers

Sacramento County will use volunteer park rangers in an effort to put more law enforcement officers on patrol.

The auxiliary ranger program will bolster a force that has been reduced from 25 to 14 rangers. Currently, people on the popular American River Parkway and Dry Creek Parkway are hard pressed to seen a ranger on duty.

“It’s not like it used to be. Three or four years ago you’d see a lot more of them out here,” said cyclist Rod Stoy.

“I have a real issue with that,” said hiker Andrew Mortimer, of the budget cuts that reduced the number of Park Rangers in the county. He’s upset because he sees people on the parkway that make people feel unsafe.

“The fact that this is built for people to enjoy recreational activities and they don’t even feel safe to be out,” said Mortimer.

The county is currently doing extensive background checks for the first six auxiliary rangers who must have police academy training under their belt. They will also get the training that full time paid rangers undergo. Rangers say with the current staffing, they spend the bulk of their time responding to calls rather than doing preventive and proactive policing on the parkway.

More at Fox40.com >>>

Bike Trail, safety, Water, Wildlife

Sacramento gets grant to improve park

Sacramento has received a $5,000 cash grant from national nonprofit Keep America Beautiful Inc. as part of a nationwide effort sponsored by Waste Management that encourages local solutions to improving community environments.

Waste Management representatives applied for the grant earlier this year.

The “Think Green” grant will be used to buy and install a Waste Management solar-powered compactor at Sutter’s Landing Park.

“The grant reflects on the renewal mission of the park, converting a former landfill into a beautiful urban park along side the Central City portion of the American River,” says Sacramento City Councilmember Steve Cohn.

More at CentralValleyBusinesstimes.com >>>