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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2016 21 BEAUMONT ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER ENLIGHTENS GROUP On April 7, Beaumont Animal Control Officer Chris Harwood gave an excellent presentation on "all things animal" He explained the importance for residents to have proper identification on their dogs and cats. Specifically, he strongly suggested getting pets a collar with the owners' name, address, and phone number. Equally important, he encouraged pet owners to have a microchip inserted which allows officials to identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners. The city of Beaumont offers microchip insertion for a one-time fee of $20. Additionally, a life-time pet license is available for only $8, for 'altered' dogs who have a microchip. He also reminded pet owners who have moved their residence to update that information with the agency who issued the microchip. Officer Harwood said that approaching warm weather can present special hazards to pets. Snakes are more likely to be out and about from April through October, so residents who walk their dogs on the trails should be vigilant. Of interest to pet owners whose dog may have been bitten by a snake, Banning Veterinary Hospital, 3559 W. Ramsey, (951) 849-3864, has the anti-venom serum which is administered after the snake bite. According to Officer Harwood, not all veterinary offices carry that medication. Also, pets left in parked cars with the windows up can suffer extremes of temperature inside the car that can be life-threatening for the animal. Officer Harwood also reminded residents that our Four Seasons Community was constructed in a habitat that was once home to bobcats, mountain lions, snakes, and a multitude of less threatening animals. Consequently, he encouraged residents to not leave pans of water, dog and cat food, etc. out overnight. Many of the 'wilder critters' roam our community at dawn, dusk, and night, and they are looking for food and water, and oftentimes, any food will do. This event, sponsored by your Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC), had numerous brochures and handouts, procured by event organizer Anita Worthen, our Pet Rescue Team Chief. The next meeting of the Emergency Preparedness Committee will be Tuesday, May 17, at 10 am at the Lodge. All residents are welcome to attend. ~ Fred Weck, EPC Co-Chair El Niño Update The record warmth and low rainfall has caused many to cast doubt on the ongoing "Super El Niño's" capacity to generate above normal — let alone near normal — precipitation this winter. While precipitation has been closer to normal over the central and northern parts of the state, thus far, this winter has been disappointing to those hoping to capitalize on above normal sea surface temperatures. A warm ridge of high pressure remained stationary off the West Coast frequently during the past month. This led to very warm temperatures and below normal precipitation. As dry and warm as it has been, it would be premature to dismiss the ongoing El Niño as a bust. Historically, some of the strongest El Niño winters have seen periods of dry weather interspersed with the heavy rainfall. The weather summary for March through June 2016 is for above normal precipitation in Central and Northern California, with near normal precipitation in Southern California along with some periods of unusually heavy late season rain possible. Source: National Interagency Fire Center Predictive Services. ~ John McLaughlin, EPC Co-Chair Emergency preparedness committee Riverside County supervisors recently approved a $225,000 contract with an emergency notification network operator to set up a system to keep residents informed of floods, fires and other events that could pose a threat to public safety. The Board of Supervisors signed off on an Emergency Management Department agreement with New Jersey-based SwiftReach Networks Inc. to implement and maintain a countywide Early Warning Notification System over the next three years. "The new EWNS will significantly improve the county's ability to quickly notify the public of emergency incidents as necessary via voice messages, text or email in multiple foreign languages, using translation software provided as part of the EWNS services,'' according to a statement posted to the board's policy agenda. The county has had a notification system in operation since 2007. However, officials decided a change was necessary and sought out a new vendor to put a "next-generation'' system in place. Three companies bid for the work, and SwiftReach Networks was selected following an evaluation by representatives from the county Emergency Management, Fire and Sheriff 's departments, as well as tribal entities and officials from "desert cities.'' The new system will incorporate technology enabling county officials to instantly flash alerts to residents who have signed up for EWNS voicemails, text messages, emails, faxes and pages. The contract's effective date is retroactive to March 1 and ends on Feb. 28, 2019 — with the option of one-year extensions. ~ Fred Weck, EPC Co-Chair Residents interested in registering to use the existing and future EWNS can do so at: http://countyofriverside.us/Residents/Emergencies/ EarlyWarningNotificationSystem.aspx Supervisors OK New Emergency Alert Network For Riverside County Residents

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