Top, Mt. Pinos District Ranger Tom Kuekes extends a welcome to the winter coordination meeting. Forty-five people from 17 agencies and organizations attended. Ian Lauchlan of the USFS said public safety during winter months is the priority. Bottom left, Ventura County Sheriff?s Deputies. Bottom right, Pat Ebel (who secured the Frazier Park Streetscape grant) and Gary Nienke of Kern County Roads.
By Gary Meyer
Public safety was topmost in the minds of 45 representatives from 17 agencies and organizations who met Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Cuddy Hall. They provided updates on plans for winter safety measures in this area.
California Highway Patrol Officer Craig Whitty said his agency does snow-chain enforcement at “the Y” when Mt. Pinos is open. If Mt. Pinos is not open, they pull back to Lake of the Woods or the Flying J in Lebec.
“When Mt. Pinos and ‘the Y’ are filled to capacity, we close access at Flying J,” Whitty told the group.
Chamber of Commerce President Stacey Havener asked whether procedures could be made more accommodating to local businesses who depend on winter visitors for their livelihood.
Kern County Supervisor Ray Watson said he would like to coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce to help get business into Frazier Park when people come to the area for snowplay.
Law enforcement representatives said they try to respect the public’s needs but safety is their primary concern.
Steve Newman of the Nordic Ski Patrol reported that Nordic Ski Base (at the Mt. Pinos parking lot) is usually staffed from November through April, depending upon snow levels. A team of four to five people on each weekend provides first aid and performs initial response in searches for missing persons. Ski Patrol coordinates with other agencies and provides information on weather and snow conditions.
Newman also reported that El Tejon Unified School District has an upgraded communications system in its school buses.
According to Kern County Fire Battalion Chief Jack Froggatt, a second helicopter will be stationed at the new Mettler station. One fire crew is currently working clearing brush at the Pine Mountain Learning Center stacking piles which will be burned when weather conditions are right.
“It is still fire season, so do not become complacent when working in the woods,” Froggatt advised.
He added that KCFD will be working with the local schools on the November 13 ShakeOut earthquake drill.
J.D. Bamford of Nordic Ski Patrol asked whether Kern County’s helicopter would have a medic on-board, to which Froggatt responded, “Kern County Fire helicopters always have an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) on-board.” KCFD firefighter personnel are certified as EMTs (not Advanced Life Support paramedics).
Dan Chung, John Birds and Brandon Carroll of Kern County Roads Department said there is a three-tiered approach for plowing snow and sanding the roads: First priority is the main roads, second priority is residential areas and third priority is the recreation areas. There is a day and a night shift of eight hours each, but they can extend into eleven hour shifts.
If it is snowing and the county roads department is not plowing, CHP will call to alert them of conditions and they will start work.
If the recreation area is not open, roads department will notify their dispatch who will post it on the Kern County website (http://www.co.kern.ca.us/roads/roadclosures.asp). This will be updated as conditions change. Their snowblower is fixed and ready for the season.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Sr. Deputy Ryan Clark said there are two deputies in Lockwood Valley. When there is a search, they will initiate a response regardless of whose jurisdiction the missing person may be in. When jurisdiction is determined, they will notify their dispatch as to what is needed. They will also respond to any medical emergency.
Supervisor Watson said he will seek funds for a programmable sign to help inform the public about when the mountain is open if there is a commitment to manage and maintain it.
Watson also gave an update on the status of various projects, including the Frazier Park Streetscape project which should be completed by December. He said the new library should be completed in 2009. He also mentioned the interactive kiosk and visitors’ center in Lebec (which has received a lot of volunteer assistance) and spoke about a partnership with the Forest Service on the Frazier Mountain Trailhead and snowplay area to be located near Chuchupate Ranger Station.
Watson offered to host a mid-season follow-up meeting at which the agencies can reconvene for updates about how well the season is going.
This is part of the November 14, 2008 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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