CORONADO'S FIRST RESPONSE: Paramedic Services Coronado firefighter/paramedics are certified to provide advanced life support treatment. Nearly 80 percent of emergency calls responded to by the fire department are medical-related and involve firefighter/ paramedics, who are a critical part of the Coronado Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services. Firefighter/paramedics have advanced life support training to provide emergency room-like quality care on-site. "Both of Coronado's firestations are staffed with firefighter/paramedics to ensure that during an emergency, residents and visitors will receive the best care possible," said Fire Chief John Traylor. Each day at the Village fire station one Captain, one engineer, and one firefighter/ paramedic are assigned to the fire engine, and two firefighter/paramedics are assigned to the ambulance. At the Cays fire station one Captain, one engineer, and two firefighter/paramedics are assigned to the tiller-truck (Quint) or "the hook and ladder," as it is sometimes called. This level of staffing is maintained 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. When a medical emergency call is made to 9-1-1, the closest engine or ladder truck is dispatched to respond, along with the ambulance, which provides for at least three firefighter/paramedics on scene to treat a patient. By having firefighter/paramedics on all fire department vehicles, advanced life support treatment can begin as soon as the fire engine or Quint arrives on scene, even before the ambulance arrives. The fire engine and Quint are equipped with the same life-saving medical equipment and medications as the ambulance. The fire engine and Quint are considered the City's first emergency medical response vehicle, the ambulance is considered the second vehicle in, and the transport vehicle. Once the patient's medical condition is stabilized by firefighter/paramedics on scene, the patient may be transported in the ambulance to the hospital. Many emergency medical calls do not result in a transport. The fire engine or Quint then return to their station and are ready for the next fire or medical emergency. Residents may wonder why the fire engine or Quint is sent to an emergency medical call. There are three important reasons. First, they carry the emergency response personnel and equipment necessary for any type of incident. Many incidents require multiple tasks, for example an auto accident and injury. Second, they must be ready for a simultaneous call to a fire, so the entire crew and equipment cannot be split up. Finally, because there is an engine in the Village and Quint in the Cays, they can arrive more quickly than a single ambulance.

Back to top >

CITY HALL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS City's Website is a One-Stop Shop for Residents The Action Center link is circled above. This link makes it fast and easy for residents to request services. Between work, school and various other commitments, at times it may be challenging for busy Coronado residents to stay on top of the latest developments in the City. Luckily, the City's website (www.coronado.ca.us) is designed to help make life a little easier for residents. "Coronado's online Action Center makes it fast and easy for residents to request services ranging from sidewalk maintenance to grafitti removal," said City Manager Mark Ochenduszko. "This tool helps residents direct their requests to the right department and maintain an open dialogue with City departments and staff." The Action Center is accessible through a tab in the top righthand corner of the City of Coronado's home page or through individual department pages. Most service requests are forwarded to the Public Services Department, which handles tree service, graffiti removal, maintenance and repairs. The Action Center can also be used to report unsafe roadway conditions or request traffic control devices, regulatory signs, parking restrictions, traffic circulation changes and street modifications from the Engineering Department. "In addition to requesting City services, residents are also encouraged to use the website to stay informed about the City Council's activities, all from the comfort of their own homes," said Ochenduszko. City Council agendas and meeting minutes are available online through a Quick Link at the bottom of the City's home page. Residents can also go online to watch live and archived webstreams of City Council meetings. Clicking on the Quick Link entitled "City Council & Planning Commission Live Video Stream and Archive" provides easy access to the videos. Regular City Council meetings take place on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 3 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. All agendas are posted at least 72 hours in advance of regular meetings and 24 hours before special meetings. Minutes are posted after the City Council approves them at the next regular meeting. If residents prefer automatic e-mail notification of upcoming meetings or other announcements from the City, they can sign up for this service by accessing eNotification on the city's website. Residents may also request services or find out more information about City Council meetings by calling the City at 619.522.7300. City Hall

Back to top >

What Your City Can Do for You

The City of Coronado's departments provide a number of valuable services for residents and assist in City operations. Below is a quick reminder of some of the departments and how they can assist residents. Public Services – 619.522.7380 Beach maintenance Park maintenance Storm drain maintenance Street repairs Street sweeping Pothole repairs Street light maintenance Sidewalk repairs Sewer system maintenance Engineering Department – 619.522.7383 Administers the Capital Improvement program Requests traffic control devices Issues right-of-way permits Parking restrictions Traffic circulation changes Issues encroachment permits Community Development – 619.522.7326 Special Events applications Building construction plan checks Design review applications Mills Act designation Zoning Affordable housing Community Development Agency Recreation Services – 619.522.7342 Spaces and opportunities for fun and celebration Recreational experiences and leisure skills education Opportunities for personal development and enrichment Facilities and programs that promote life-long fitness and healthy lifestyles Library Services – 619.522.7390 Loans books, magazines and audio/visual items Provides services, programs and collections for children and teens Provides free Internet access including wireless Offers cultural programs including concerts, lectures and exhibits Offers public meeting room space Provides free access to electronic databases via the library website and on-site Administrative Services/City Clerk – 619.522.7300 Provides budget and financial information City Council meeting notices Business license renewal Public records request

Back to top >

Being a Good Neighbor: Report Recycling Scavengers Coronado is proud to do its part to help preserve the environment through its Citywide recycling program. The City partners with EDCO to provide blue recycling carts for residents to dispose of glass, plastic, aluminum cans, paper and cardboard. However, the Public Services Department would like to take this opportunity to remind residents that recyclables placed in the blue carts are not up for grabs. "The recyclables placed in the blue carts are used to help offset the cost of the City's recycling program," said Director of Public Services Scott Huth. "When individuals scavenge through other people's blue carts and remove recyclables for their own monetary gain, they are not only taking money from the City, but they are also breaking the law." According to the City's Municipal Code, it is against the law for any person, other than the owner, to remove the contents of any container marked for recycling purposes that is set out for collection on private property or on the sidewalk, alley or street. Residents are encouraged to report recycling scavengers to the Coronado Police Department. Residents should provide a description of the scavenger, as well as an approximate location. Coronado police officers will often advise first-time offenders of the laws before issuing a written warning or citation. In addition to reporting incidents to the police, there are some things residents can do to help manage the problem. The Public Services Department recommends keeping recycling containers in garages or behind fences on non-collection days, when possible. Waiting until the morning of collection day to put the blue carts at pickup locations, or placing the more valuable glass and aluminum at the bottom of the cart, underneath the paper and cardboard, are other ways to discourage scavengers. For more information on recycling scavengers or Coronado's recycling program, contact the Public Services Department at 619.522.7380. To report a recycling scavenger, contact the Coronado Police Department at 619.522.7350.

What Residents Should Know About Short-Term Home Rentals Coronado's sandy beaches and village-like atmosphere draw visitors to this peaceful community year-round. While the City welcomes and encourages tourists to stay and play in Coronado, there are some rules regarding vacation rentals that are designed to maintain the quality of life in the community for full-time residents. "It may be a surprise to some residents to learn that short-term rentals are prohibited in Coronado," said Rachel Hurst, Director of Community Development. "The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that residents are not disturbed by constant visitor turnover in their neighborhoods." The City's Municipal Code, Chapter 86.78, states that no dwelling unit in any residential zone in Coronado can be rented for less than 26 days. Renting private homes for special events, weekend trips or weekly stays is against the law. Residents are asked to comply with the regulation in order to maintain a residential atmosphere in the community. Property owners who violate the law by renting their homes for less than 26 days can be fined. "Our goal is to get information about the laws into the community now to avoid any confusion during the popular summer vacation months," said Hurst. For more information about Coronado's short-term rental laws, contact the Community Development Department at 619.522.7326.

Back to top >

When Should You Call 9-1-1? 9-1-1 should be used only during an emergency, but what constitutes an emergency? Emergencies are events that are an immediate threat to life and/or property. Examples of this are a person having a heart attack, a person choking, any crime in progress, traffic accidents and other events of a serious nature. Remember to use common sense when dialing 9-1-1; if you are calling about a nonemergency, please call the Coronado Police Department's non-emergency line at 619.522.7350. What Happens When You Call 9-1-1 from a Land-line? When you call 9-1-1 from a land-line in Coronado, the call arrives at the Coronado Police Department where it is answered by a trained emergency operator who will begin asking you questions. It is important to remain calm and listen to the questions being asked. The operator will confirm the address and phone number with you, and ask several questions to quickly determine if it is a police, fire or medical emergency. If it is a police emergency they will ask questions such as: What happened? When did it happen? Who did it? What does the person or vehicle involved look like? In which direction did the person or vehicle go? If it is a fire or medical emergency, you will be seamlessly transferred to the regional fire/medical dispatch center and they will ask questions about the incident including medical history and status of the person if it is health related. The more information given, the quicker and more efficient the response will be. Often times the emergency operator relays important information to the police or fire personnel while they are en route to provide you assistance, so do not hang up until the 9-1-1 operator tells you to do so. What Happens When You Call 9-1-1 on a Cell Phone? Many calls to 9-1-1 are now placed from cell phones. If you have a newer cell phone that is equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS), when you dial 9-1-1 from your cell phone you should reach the police department nearest to where you are located. If you have an older cell phone, you will be connected to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The CHP will handle the call if the emergency is in their jurisdiction, or they will transfer it to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

CERT COURSES (Coronado Emergency Response Team) Winter 2009 CERT Graduates Fall 2009 All classes are held at the police station, located at 700 Orange Avene. To register for these free classes, or for more information, please contact the Coronado Fire Department at 619.522.7374. Classes run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Module Class Title Description 1. Sat. – Jan. 30 Disaster Preparedness An introduction to the CERT program 2. Sat. – Feb. 6 Disaster Fire Suppression Fire safety and extinguisher use 3. Sat. – Feb. 13 Disaster Medical Operations First aid, establishing treatment areas, treating airway obstruction, bleeding and shock 4. Sat. – Feb. 20 Light Search & Rescue Planning, techniques and rescuer safety 5. Sat. – Feb. 27 Terrorism, Disaster Psychology, Team Organization Symptoms experienced by victims & rescuers. CPR Schedule: Classes are $25 and run from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Sat., Jan. 23; Wed., Feb. 24; Tues., March 23; Sat., Apr. 24; Sat., May 22. Call 619.522.7374 to enroll.

Back to top >

2010 Census Key to Receiving Federal Dollars The 2010 Census will be distributed soon, and the City of Coronado strongly encourages residents to complete the questionnaire. Participating in the Census is critical because the data gathered will help determine how the federal government allocates more than $300 billion to states and cities like Coronado. These funds will play an important role in shaping the future of the community. Census data also helps local officials decide where to build infrastructure and amenities such as roads, hospitals, child-care facilities, senior centers and schools. Businesses use this information when choosing where to locate housing and retail projects that improve our quality of life. In addition, data obtained during the Census helps in drawing boundaries for legislative districts and determining how many seats California will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a count of every resident in the country once each decade. The 2010 Census will involve a short, 10-question survey that takes about 10 minutes to complete. Individual responses will not be shared with outside parties. Questionnaires will be mailed in March and April, and Census workers will later visit homes that do not respond. For more information about the 2010 Census, visit www.census.gov/2010census.

Back to top >