City Manager's Update, 2/21/2020

Carlsbad Fire Department, New Hire Academy

Carlsbad Probationary Fire Academy, Class 20-01, began their six week academy on Jan. 13. This class, consisting of five paramedic/firefighters, are unified as one and are energetic and passionate to begin their careers. Over the past six weeks the probationary firefighters have had to refine and master a multitude of different skills including Emergency Medical Services, urban search & rescue, firefighting and technical rescue operations. The probationary personnel have all successfully completed written, physical and manipulative exams, and will graduate from the academy on Feb. 24, at which time they will begin working 24 hour shifts in continuation of their one year probationary period. Congratulations all! Welcome to Team Carlsbad.

Trekking Through Carlsbad for PTSD

On Feb. 8, Palo Alto Firefighter John Preston trekked through Carlsbad on his second to last day of a 625 mile trip from Palo Alto, California to the USS Midway in San Diego. John’s brother, a retired U.S. Marine Corps and Police Officer, committed suicide four years ago. This trek was designed and implemented to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder among first responders and military personnel. Carlsbad Fire Department personnel participated in this special event by escorting John through the city. Individual department personnel assisted by taking turns carrying John’s backpack for the duration of the trek, literally lightening his load through Carlsbad. Carlsbad Fire Department personnel handed the escort off at the Encinitas border and Encinitas Fire Department assisted with his trek to Solana Beach.

Ironman Julie Moss Interviewed at Monroe Street Pool

Carlsbad High School alumna and world-renowned Ironman, Julie Moss, recently selected Monroe Street Pool as a place of significance in her life, opting to be interviewed about her memoir, Crawl of Fame, conducted at the pool. Moss, most famous for her crawl across the finish line in the 1982 Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii, discussed how that experience profoundly changed her awareness of her capabilities and the trajectory of her life. The interview was conducted on the pool deck by a reporter with Voice of America.

Tech Savvy Teens Visit the Senior Center

Students from Pacific Ridge High School visited the Senior Center during their lunch break to offer tech help. Seniors were able to bring in their various devices and get answers to their questions in less than an hour. The teens were able to help seniors with navigating PowerPoint, downloading the latest Windows software, setting up their new e-reader devices, and answering several smartphone questions. Pacific Ridge students will be returning to the Senior Center again on Feb. 11, with the goal of making live tech support a monthly occurrence.

Senior Center Hosted Love Your Heart on Valentine’s Day

Adults headed to the Senior Center to have their blood pressure checked for free on Feb. 14 by the Live Well Love Your Heart campaign staff. Love Your Heart is an annual event in which organizations from across the United States and Mexico join together to provide free blood pressure screenings to the public on Valentine's Day. Last year, over 43,000 people got to know their blood pressure numbers and took charge of their own heart health!