Area briefing
TRAFFIC SIGNAL ADDED NEAR NEW CITY HALL
A traffic signal was recently installed at Lewis Avenue and Main Street in conjunction with the recent opening of the new Las Vegas City Hall, 495 S. Main St.
The $93,000 signal construction was conducted to improve vehicular mobility and enhance pedestrian safety and access for building visitors, according to the city of Las Vegas.
The Lewis Avenue-Main Street intersection sees about 24,000 vehicles per day and hundreds of pedestrians, the city said.
NFPA CONFERENCE & EXPO TO INCLUDE SEMINARS, EXHIBITS AND MORE
The National Fire Protection Association plans its annual NFPA Conference & Expo from Monday through June 14 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South.
The industry event will include informational sessions, seminars and more than 330 vendors showcasing exhibits featuring the latest technology in fire protection, electrical safety and home security. The conference is set to cover fire safety issues impacting everything from technological advancements to day-to-day living. Presentations are to include electric vehicle training for first responders, a fire risk analysis dealing with the Statue of Liberty and an assessment of wildfire regulatory and planning tools.
The event's keynote address, 9/11: Leadership Before and After the Crisis, is scheduled to be delivered by Jay Jonas, deputy chief of the New York City Fire Department, who will share his story of survival and highlight improvements to the fire service since 9/11.
The NFPA also is set to release and discuss its annual report regarding firefighter fatalities in the U.S. The Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation will be collecting charitable donations from conference attendees.
To register or for more information, visit nfpa.org/conference.
CRIME STOPPERS TO BE DISCUSSED DURING 1st TUESDAY
Crime Stoppers of Southern Nevada is set to be the topic during the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's 1st Tuesday program, set for 7 to 8 p.m. today at the department's valleywide area commands.
Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips about crimes or wanted suspects and provides financial rewards for information leading to an indictment or felony arrest.
The 1st Tuesday program is a free open house-style event that takes place monthly on the first Tuesday. After speakers discuss assigned topics, residents can learn more about their neighborhoods and meet their local police officers.
For a list of area commands or other additional information, visit lvmpd.com or call 828-3111.
LIFEGUARD EDUCATION PROGRAM PLANNED AT FIVE COUNTY WATER PARKS
Clark County is offering its new Lifeguard Education Awareness program, with classes scheduled at five of its water parks.
The eight-week LEAP program is for ages 11 to 18 and includes swimming instruction, lifeguard training, CPR certification, field trips, guest speakers and information about water-related careers.
The program is planned at Sunrise Neighborhood Pool, 2240 Linn Lane; Walnut Water Park, 3055 N. Walnut Road; Parkdale Water Park, 3200 Ferndale St.; Whitney Neighborhood Pool, 5712 E. Missouri Ave.; and Cambridge Water Park, 3930 Cambridge St.
Those who are interested must inquire with a school counselor or at a Clark County recreation center to receive a referral and fill out an application.
For more information, call 455-8508.
CLARK COUNTY SEEKS TO FILL 60-PLUS FIREFIGHTER AND PARAMEDIC POSITIONS
Clark County is set to accept applications June 19 through July 3 to fill more than 60 firefighter and paramedic positions.
Applications must be submitted at clarkcountynv.gov. The county will accept only the first 2,500 applications.
Outreach sessions are scheduled for those interested in receiving information about the application process, employment requirements, the testing process and test-taking tips. The sessions are set for:
-- 2-4 p.m. Wednesday at the Sunset Park office conference room, 2601 E. Sunset Road.
-- 2-4 p.m. Friday at the Mountain Crest Community Center, 4701 N. Durango Drive.
For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov or call the county's firefighter hot line at 455-2233.
The department has more than 600 paid firefighters and 180 volunteer firefighters responding to more than 120,000 emergency calls annually from 42 fire stations throughout the county. The department also provides inspection, investigation and specialized services, such as search and rescue and swift water rescue.
County firefighters protect almost 900,000 residents and 42 million visitors a year in a 7,420-square-mile area that includes the Strip, McCarran International Airport, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and outlying communities, such as Laughlin and Bunkerville.
AGENCIES SEEK PUBLIC'S INPUT ON DISASTER CONCERNS
The city of Las Vegas' Office of Emergency Management has launched a regional effort to review the risks posed by man-made and natural disasters and identify ways to reduce any subsequent damage.
The city is conducting the effort in cooperation with Boulder City, Henderson, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Clark County, the Clark County Regional Flood Control District, the Southern Nevada Health District, the Clark County Water Reclamation District and the Clark County School District.
The agencies are looking for the public's input regarding their concerns about natural and human-caused hazards. Residents can provide their feedback through a hazard mitigation questionnaire available on the city of Las Vegas' emergency management website, lvalert.com. The feedback is to be incorporated into the development of the 2012 Clark County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The city of Las Vegas is in the process of updating the plan, which was authorized in 2005. The plan is required under the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 in order for jurisdictions to be eligible to receive certain forms of federal disaster assistance.
The plan helps agencies prioritize future action to reduce the damage from the risks of fire, flooding, severe winter storms and a number of additional hazards that the region is susceptible to.
A draft of the plan is scheduled to be available for public comment early next month and be posted at lvalert.com.
CLASSES TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO STAY SAFE
Nevada Child Seekers plans to offer radKIDS classes Saturdays from June 16 to July 21 at the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway, Henderson.
The classes are set for 9-10:30 a.m. for ages 6-8 and 10:30 a.m.-noon for ages 9-12. The sessions are to teach kids to avoid and escape dangerous situations, such as abuse, bullying and abduction. Parents will receive tools to help reinforce the safety skills that are learned.
Registration can be conducted at cityofhenderson.com under the parks and recreation section or in person at the Silver Springs Recreation Center.
For more information, visit nevadachildseekers.org or call 458-7009.
LIFEGUARD CAMP TO START JUNE 18 AT PAVILION CENTER POOL
A Junior Lifeguard Camp for children 12 to 15 is planned for Mondays through Fridays, June 18-22, July 9-13 and Aug. 6-10, at the Pavilion Center Pool, 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive.
Participants will receive American Red Cross adult CPR certification and learn essential pool lifesaving skills. The cost is $45 per week.
For more information, call 229-1488.
SEWER PROJECT ALONG STRETCH OF SAHARA AVENUE CAUSES LANE CLOSURES
Lane restrictions are scheduled to be in effect through at least June 22 on Sahara Avenue between Rancho Del Vista Street and Mount Everest Drive due to a sewer rehabilitation project, according to the Clark County Water Reclamation District.
The two inside lanes on westbound and eastbound Sahara Avenue and the center lane will be restricted from Rancho Del Vista Street to Mount Everest Drive. Left turns will be forbidden in the construction zone.
Work is set to take place 7:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lane restrictions will be in place during nonworking hours, with trenches and safety barriers in place.
Sewer collection lines will be replaced and relined, temporary bypass pumps and lines will be installed and manholes will be rehabilitated.
For more information, call the project hot line at 668-8668 or visit thelvpipeline.com.
THE SHADE TREE RECEIVES $35,000 GRANT
The Shade Tree recently received a $35,000 grant from the Starbucks community program Vote. Give. Grow.
The Shade Tree, a nonprofit organization based at 1 W. Owens Ave., North Las Vegas, shelters women, children and their pets affected by domestic violence.
The sum was the largest Vote. Give. Grow. grant awarded in Nevada. The funds will be used to provide nutritious meals and snacks to residents of the 364-bed shelter.
For more information, visit theshadetree.org or call 385-0072.
ARSON AWARENESS WEEK AIMS TO PREVENT KIDS FROM STARTING FIRES
Clark County Fire Department investigators and fire prevention inspectors recently visited the Bright Child Learning Center, 1567 N. Nellis Blvd., to teach the preschool children about the dangers of playing with lighters and matches.
Clark County Fire Department investigators conducted 464 fire investigations in 2011. Thirty-eight of those fires were started by kids and teens younger than 18 and caused two injuries and $65,000 in property damage, fire officials said.
Forty percent of the juvenile-related fires last year in the county were started by children 7 or younger; 36 percent by children 8 to 13; and 24 percent by children 14-18.
The fire department's May 8 visit to the Bright Child Learning Center took place in recognition of National Arson Awareness Week, May 6-12. The week's theme dealt with preventing youths from setting fires.
The county fire department's fire safety house, a trailer used to teach children about fire safety and how to get out of their homes in case of fire, was displayed during the visit. The children participated in presentations and practiced how to escape from fires during simulated smoke demonstrations inside the trailer.
The department offers tips to community members for preventing youths from setting fires:
-- Teach your children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
-- Keep matches and lighters out of reach in high, locked cabinets.
-- Use child-resistant lighters, but remember that they are not child-proof.
-- Instruct children to inform an adult if they find matches and lighters, and praise positive behavior.
Parents who have concerns about their kids can call the county fire department's investigations division at 732-7949. The department's general telephone number is 455-7311.
Safe-house demonstrations are available to community groups, depending on available department resources.
To request fire department involvement at an event, visit the department's services Web page at tinyurl.com/6r8keud and fill out an online community event request form.
LIDS ON KIDS PROGRAM EARNS NATIONAL SAFETY AWARD
The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort recently won a National Ski Area Safety award for its Lids on Kids program.
The award, bestowed by the National Ski Areas Association, recognized the monthlong helmet safety campaign at the resort.
The resort partnered with Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center to provide 318 local children with free helmets. Since implementing the program, the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort has provided more than 1,000 area youths with free helmets.
The resort plans to continue with the Lids on Kids program during the 2012-13 season.
For more information, visit skilasvegas.com or call 385-2754.
