Policy Pulse: August 9, 2024

ACC-OC hosted a highly informative briefing at the John Wayne Airport, providing members with insights into the General Aviation Improvement Program and emerging trends in Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

A special thank you to Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley and John Wayne Airport Director Charlene Reynolds for highlighting John Wayne Airport's pivotal role in our community as a significant transportation hub and an economic engine for Orange County. Today's session included a detailed briefing on the airport’s General Aviation Improvement Program and a look into the future of eVTOL aircraft, featuring insights from Joby Aviation. The event concluded with a Q&A session, fostering a deeper understanding of these critical topics.

We also want to thank the John Wayne Airport team for facilitating this important discussion. Your specific contributions, from logistics to expertise, were invaluable in ensuring this event's success and advancing our transportation systems to meet the needs of our community effectively. Thank you all for your engagement and support. Let’s continue to work together to advance our county’s transportation and infrastructure goals.

Join us for an informative and hands-on training session designed specifically for laypersons. Hosted by ACC-OC in partnership with Falck, this Better Learning Opportunity aims to equip attendees with essential emergency response skills. This training is perfect for all City and Regional Leaders to enhance their ability to act in critical situations and ensure they are prepared to provide immediate assistance in emergencies.

This training is free of charge and open to ACC-OC Members only.

Training Includes:

Narcan Administration: Learn how to effectively administer Narcan, a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.
Bleeding Control with Stop the Bleed Certificate: Receive comprehensive training in bleeding control techniques and earn a Stop the Bleed certificate, enabling you to respond confidently to severe bleeding incidents.
CPR Review: Refresh your knowledge of CPR techniques, crucial for any emergency.
Blood Pressure Indicator Training: Gain practical skills in measuring and interpreting blood pressure, an important indicator of overall health.
Falck Ambulance Onsite Viewing: Conclude the training with an opportunity to explore a Falck ambulance onsite, providing insight into the equipment and resources used in real-life emergency scenarios.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn vital emergency response skills from industry experts. Register now to secure your spot and be prepared to make a difference in your community. Lunch is included. We look forward to seeing you there!

ACC-OC has launched a series of engaging and informative events this summer. These events are designed to be both enjoyable and enriching, providing valuable resources to all.

Don't miss out on any of these opportunities.

To find out more information about these events or to register, visit our upcoming events page!

Upcoming Events Page

Southern California Edison

Sustain SoCal is hosting WATER SOLUTIONS 9 (WS9), which is centered around examining practical strategies and advancements in water capture, storage, reuse, desalination, groundwater replenishment, and addressing contamination in Southern California.

The event will also delve into the investment, policy, and big data trends in the region. You are invited to participate in this event, where you can benefit from informative presentations and networking opportunities, as Sustain SoCal tackles real-world solutions to ensure an adequate and cost-effective water supply in our area.

Use this code for 50% off: WS9ACCOC50

City of Garden Grove

The City of Garden Grove is offering a free 20-hour workshop through its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to train individuals in disaster preparedness and recovery, as well as life-saving skills. The program will take place on September 11, September 18, September 25 (Wednesdays), and September 28 (Saturday). The Wednesday classes will run from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and the Saturday class from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To register and find the class location, please visit www.ggcity.org/cert or email lmorin@ggcity.org. The deadline to register is September 1, 2024.

The training will cover essential disaster response skills, including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Upon completing the workshop, participants will receive recognition as program graduates and will be sworn in as Disaster Service Workers. Additionally, they will be given a certificate of completion and a CERT T-shirt.

To participate, individuals must be 18 years or older and either live or work in Garden Grove. Additionally, youth aged 14 and older can attend with a registered legal parent or guardian.

Orange County Water District

Orange County Water District (OCWD) has achieved a record-breaking accomplishment by recharging over 90 billion gallons of water into the ground during the fiscal year 2023-24. This achievement is a result of OCWD's comprehensive approach to managing the groundwater basin, utilizing diverse water sources such as the Santa Ana River, stormwater capture, and recycled water from the Groundwater Replenishment System. The district's collaborative efforts with cities and retail water districts have led to a full groundwater basin, ensuring a reliable water supply for over 2.5 million customers. OCWD has been at the forefront of innovative methods to maximize the groundwater basin and enhance the region’s water supply through strategic planning and investments for over 90 years.

City of Huntington Beach

The City of Huntington Beach has announced an exciting partnership with Golden West College (GWC) to address the growing challenges faced by students, particularly pertaining to housing and essential resources. As part of this collaboration, Golden West College has seen a notable increase in the number of students seeking aid for basic needs. In the current fiscal year, 360 students have received essential items such as hygiene products, household supplies, and clothing through GWC's resources. Moreover, 233 students have benefited from case management support, underscoring the escalating demand for comprehensive assistance. This initiative is designed to grant GWC students direct access to vital services, ensuring that they receive the necessary support to thrive academically and personally. Through this collaborative effort, the City of Huntington Beach and Golden West College are committed to fostering a supportive environment where students can pursue their educational ambitions without the added burden of unmet basic needs.

Orange County Transportation Authority

The Environmental Oversight Committee (EOC) recently visited the Aliso Creek Restoration Project, funded by OCTA as part of their initiative to restore 55 acres of habitat in Laguna Niguel. The Laguna Canyon Foundation received almost $1.5 million from OCTA for this project, which is expected to gain approval from state and federal wildlife agencies in 2025.

OCTA's OC Go Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP) allocates significant resources to counteract the environmental impact of freeway projects. Since 2010, OCTA has invested around $10 million to restore approximately 350 acres of open space and over $42 million to acquire more than 1,300 acres of land across Orange County. This includes seven properties collectively known as the Preserves.

The Aliso Creek Restoration Project is a testament to OCTA's broader environmental efforts, aimed at balancing transportation infrastructure development with ecological conservation. By removing non-native plant species, native wildlife, including the local turtle population, has been able to thrive once again.

City of Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo has been chosen as TeamNL's main pre-games training site for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, as announced by the City of Mission Viejo and TeamNL.

The announcement was made during the Paris Olympic Games at TeamNL’s Hospitality House and follows two site inspection visits to Mission Viejo over the past two years. TeamNL has won nearly 500 Olympic medals as a nation, including 36 medals at the recent Tokyo Games, where the team finished seventh overall in the final country medal standings.

Primary sports training in which the Dutch will train in Mission Viejo and surrounding communities include athletics, swimming, and possible team sports like handball and volleyball. The final selection of sports will be confirmed at a later date.