Danny Ciecek, 

Fire Captain

CAL FIRE

Cypress Fire Protection District is pleased to announce an addition to its emergency response fleet. Paramedic Squad 7251 is a 2014 Ford F550 chassis with a custom built aluminum fire service work box fabricated by Danko Emergency Equipment out of Synder, Nebraska. Paramedic Squad 7251 carries 300 gallons of water for firefighting, as well as numerous tools and cutting edge Advanced Life Support equipment. Located at the CAL FIRE San Benito Monterey Headquarters on Garden Road in Monterey, Paramedic Squad 7251 is staffed by two firefighters, one of whom is a paramedic. The addition and placement of Paramedic Squad 7251 was designed to reduce response times and maintain an Advanced Life Support level of service to citizens in the northern (i.e. Josselyn Canyon Road, Manor Road, Sylvan Road, etc.) area of the Cypress Fire Protection District.

by

Community Outreach and Education Coordinator for

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked quinoa (1 cup dry quinoa yields about 2 cups cooked)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 clove garlic, pressed, grated or finely chopped
• Juice of one lime (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained well
• 1 red bell pepper, quarter inch chopped (about 1 cup)
• 6 green onions, root removed, white and part of the greens chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 handful of cilantro, rough chopped (about 1/3 cup)
• Optional: Feta cheese to taste, and one chopped red tomato

Many think anyone can hear a typical smoke detector because of how loud it seems.......to them. Unfortunately, the volume of a smoke detector, the phone or a person's voice is often not the important thing for those with differences in hearing. Volume only makes what you hear louder, not clearer. Differences in hearing also involve tones you do not hear.

Most often it is tones in the higher pitched ranges that are difficult, if not impossible to hear. The typical smoke detector uses a 3,100 Hz high pitched tone to alert you. Studies have shown approximately 50% of the individuals involved in testing who were Hard of Hearing were not awakened by the typical 3,100 Hz smoke detector and none were awakened who were deaf. This is why it is important you test if your smoke detector can awaken you, family members and friends, especially those living alone. Designate a family member or friend to press and hold the test button on your smoke detector until you are awakened. How long did it take to awaken you from a deep sleep, not just dozing? Did it awaken you at all? Do this test two or more times a year. Thirty percent of fire related deaths occur where there is a fully functioning smoke detector!!! The majority of these deaths occur between 11:00pm - 7:00am, when the victims are asleep. Also make sure you can hear your smoke detector with and without hearing aids, when you are awake.

If you feel secure that someone else will awaken you. Children are deep sleepers, and just like adults who are deep sleepers, may not be awakened by a typical smoke detector. Those taking sleeping pills, other medications or with a 0.05 or above blood alcohol level are often not awakened by the typical smoke detector. Make sure that every-one in your home does this same test. If you think because you only have differences in hearing in one ear you are safe. Which ear do you usually have down on the pillow?

Are some people easier to understand than others? Do some people's voices sound like they are mumbling, not speaking clearly or garbled? Are the people's voices that seem unclear or garbled in the same tonal ranges? For example, are women's voices harder to understand than men's or men's voices harder to understand than woman's? If you answered yes to any or all of the above questions, you may want to discuss having your hearing tested with your doctor or an audiologist.

For information and services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, including smoke detectors, Free phones from the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) and many other services and resources please contact Deaf & Hard of Hearing Service Center, Inc. (DHHSC). DHHSC is the State designated community benefit organization (nonprofit) serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Central California. Our Salinas-Central Coast Outreach Office serves Monterey and San Benito Counties. To learn more about these types of smoke detectors or other services and assistive devices for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing contact the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Service Center, Inc. (DHHSC), located at 1188 Padre Drive, Suite 115, in Salinas is a block off of HWY 68 and Blanco Road. For a map and photo, please visit www.dhhsc.org/central-coast-outreach/ and print out a "DHHSC has Moved" flyer. You can call DHHSC at (831) 753-6540 (Voice) or (831) 753-6541 (TTY) if you have questions or would like more information.

DHHSC's core services include Advocacy, Communication Assistance, Sign Language Interpreting Services, Independent Living Skills Instruction, Peer Counseling, Employment Development & Placement, Information & Referral, Community Education & Outreach, Bookstore & Equipment Display, and Specialized Services & Programs. DHHSC has a strong focus on improving communication for families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing and for improving their educational opportunities within the school system. DHHSC-Central Coast Outreach Office is also the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) Service Center for the Tri-County area on the second Friday of each month from 10:00am -11:30am and 1:00pm - 3:00pm. CTAP provides Free telephones for California residents, no matter their income level, with differences in Hearing, Vision, Mobility, Cognitive and Speech levels that affect their use of the telephone.