Escondido Vaccination Site Success

Last weekend, volunteers and staff celebrated the accomplishments made at the Escondido COVID-19 Resource Clinic over the past three months. The vaccination site for our community was a high priority several months ago, and a coordinated effort with Palomar Health made it possible at the downtown hospital parking garage. That effort just wrapped up with 30,000 vaccines administered to residents in our community.

Thank you to all the volunteers and staff for serving Escondido at the COVID-19 Resource Clinic! Check out the volunteer appreciation video here.

More information about vaccines and where to get vaccinated can be found on the County of San Diego's website.

Queen Califia's Magical Circle Re-Opening

Great news, Escondido! Queen Califia's Magical Circle is making its return and re-opening to the public! The circle will be open on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of this month (May 8 and 22) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will return to its original schedule in June: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - noon and the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month.

COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place and masks will be required. More information about Queen Califia's Magical Circle can be found here .

Annual Operating Budget

The annual operating budget document is one of the most important documents produced by the City. It reflects the strategic goals and key outcomes of City services. A guide on understanding the budget can be found here .

During next week's City Council meeting (May 12) the preliminary budget will be shared. View the document ahead of the meeting beginning on Friday, May 7 here.

BY THE NUMBERS

Business License:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code Enforcement:

Total Code Cases (Year to Date)

685

Public Works:

Graffiti Restitution:

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) - Critical Incident Debrief Video

On April 21, the Escondido Police Department Communications Center received a call from a reporting party advising that there was an adult white male subject hitting cars with a "metal pole." The call resulted in a fatal shooting. On April 29, the Escondido PD released a Critical Incident Debrief Video. Click here to view the video.

Community Resources:

• Anonymous Tip Line: 760-743-8477 (TIPS)
• Crime Data/Mapping: https://www.crimemapping.com/
• Helicopter Announcement Transcription:
  • Call 858-866-4356 or text "Hello" to 858-866-4356
• Megan's Law Information: https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/
• Mental Health & Crisis Intervention:
  • Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240
  • It's Up to Us Campaign: www.Up2sd.org
  • Get Connected. Get Help: Dial 211
• Non-Emergency Line: 760-839-4722

Events :

Dick's Sporting Goods Donates to Police Athletic League (PAL)

The City of Escondido received an email from staff at Dick's Sporting Goods offering to donate sports equipment to the Police Department for community use. On April 28, retired Lieutenant Al Owens and Officer Mat Ciremele picked up the equipment which will be used for the Police Athletic League. Thank you, Dick's Sporting Goods!

Escondido Police Department Hiring Workshop

On May 1, the Escondido Police Department Training Division held a hiring workshop for Police Department applicants. One applicant flew in from Texas to attend the workshop. It was a great turnout and the department is looking forward to hosting more workshops in the future.

April Abandoned Vehicle Data

  

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING

Building Permits and Inspections:

1. This week the counter staff conducted in person meetings with 146 applicants, processed 88 applications, and issued 99 permits.

2. The total permit valuation for the week was $8,519,371.

3. This week there were 239 building inspections completed.

Development and Capital Projects Update:

Curious what's happening with development projects around the City? See below for milestone activities that have happened since last week. Skip to the bottom of this section for a list of projects that are in progress but do not have an update this week. To learn about previous applications for residential and commercial development permits, please visit the Development Project Information Archive page or contact the Planning Division.

County of San Diego Projects:

1. The County of San Diego ("County") has been processing a land use application for a new recycling facility, just north of the City of Escondido. The project site is located west of Interstate 15 (I-15) along Mesa Rock Road. The project, called "North County Environmental Resources," includes a 12,000-square-foot steel building, a 100,000-gallon water tank, and a recycling facility for wood, construction debris, and concrete and asphalt. The project was recently approved and the City filed an appeal of that decision on February 16, 2021. The project's environmental determination was appealed by the same four groups that appealed the County staff determination to the Planning Commission, which in addition to the City of Escondido, also includes the Twin Oaks Valley CSG, Hidden Meadows CSG, and Montreux HOA. The appeal matter was considered by the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors on May 5, 2021. After a public hearing and consideration of public testimony provided by many speakers, including all appellants, the Board of Supervisors decided unanimously to support the appeal and overturn the prior decisions. Should the applicant decide to continue to move forward with the project, it will need to undergo additional environmental review.

Commercial / Office / Industrial:

1. Carvana - (Developer: Jo Ryan, Carvana) 559 N. Hale Avenue - An approved vending machine car dealership. The project consists of an approximately 5,800 square feet, eight-(8) tier glass and steel tower structure up to 75 feet in height. The project was approved by the City Council on August 23, 2020. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans. Demolition of the old Talone's Meat Market has been completed. Rough grading has been completed. Foundation work has started.

2. Raising Cane's Restaurant - (Developer: Ada Fermin, PM Design Group) 1280 W. Valley Parkway - An approved 3,744 square foot drive-through restaurant located on the east side of the southbound off-ramp on W. Valley Parkway. The project was approved by the Planning Commission on July 14, 2020 and the project is now under construction. The former Coco's restaurant has been demolished and the contractor is beginning site preparation work. The contractor is performing the offsite utility work along Lambar Street.

3. Burros and Fries - (MPA Architects) 1107 E. Valley Parkway - An 5,224 square foot commercial building, with associated landscaping and parking for a drive-through restaurant (Burros and Fries) and additional retail space. The Planning Division approved the project on December 24, 2018 and the project is now under construction. The contractor has completed paving of the new turn lane on Valley Parkway and the final grading for the road improvements. Construction is complete. Interior, tenant improvement work needs to be completed before opening. No anticipated opening date has been provided to the City.

4. Interfaith Recuperative Care Facility/Hotel - (Developer: Interfaith) 555 North Center City Parkway - Conversion of the existing lodging facility (America's Best Value Inn) and construction of improvements to establish a residential care facility designed to provide a variety of transient stays for at-risk individuals, homeless, etc. The applicant is processing a CUP for the full scope of improvements to make changes to the number of rooms and other associated site improvements. On March 3, 2021, the City approved and issued a building permit for the first phase of improvements. The remaining balance of proposed improvements will be considered in conjunction with the Conditional Use Permit and include measures to help assure services are provided to the Escondido population. The applicant has informed Development Services that they intend to re-submit the CUP application within the next couple of days. A public hearing will be scheduled in May 2021.

5. Solaris Business Park Annexation - Developer Whalen and Associates) 657 N. Country Club Lane - A four-lot, light-industrial and medical office complex on approximately 45 acres of land, just northwest of the Palomar Medical Center. The annexation will be processed as a new specific plan. The application was submitted on June 29, 2020 and the project is still in the entitlement phase. The applicant resubmitted a second plan check with only a concept grading plan and draft specific plan included. The applicant is finalizing the design concept. The City completed its review and will be issuing a comment letter, regarding the completeness of the application (i.e. notice of incomplete application). It is anticipated that an Environmental Impact Report will be prepared for this project.

Residential:

6. Jack's Creek TR 951 and SUB 17-0026 - (Developer New Pointe Development). An approved 12-lot, single-family residential subdivision on 3.31 acres. The site is located at the westerly terminus of Jack's Creek Road, north of El Norte Parkway, addressed as 640 Oakwood Creek Glen, formally 2888 E. Washington Avenue. The project was approved by the Planning Commission on November 13, 2007 and an extension of time was approved on September 12, 2017. The project is now under construction. The City recently started construction on the remining six homes.

7. Palomar Heights (Developer: Ninia Hammond, Integral Communities) - An approved land use development application consisting of the demolition and redevelopment of the old Palomar Hospital site with 510 multi-family units with 10,000 square feet of commercial. This project was approved by City Council on February 10, 2021. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission of and approval grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans. On April 29, 2021, the applicant filed a design review package to address some of the project's conditions requiring architectural building design changes. City staff will complete its review this week.

8. Del Prado (Developer: California West Communities) 2329 South Centre Parkway - A 113-unit townhome-style Planned Development located at the southwestern corner of Brotherton Road and the Centre City Parkway frontage road. The City Council approved this project on May 11, 2016 and the project is now under construction. Rough grading of the site has been completed. The Final Map is scheduled to be reviewed and considered by the City Council on May 26, 2021.

9. Casa Mercado Apartments (Developer: Paul Mayer, Pemcor) - A four-story, 120-unit apartment complex on 2.31 acres on Second Avenue and Pine Street. The project is still in the entitlement phase. With the City's review complete, the project was reviewed and consideration by the Planning Commission on April 13, 2021, where a 4-3 vote for a recommendation of approval was provided. The City Council is the final decision-maker for this project and will consider the project at its May 12, 2021 meeting.

10. Henry Ranch (Builder: Joe Martin, Trumark Homes) - A 97 single-family home development on 74.35 acres at the eastern terminus of Lincoln Avenue. The City Council approved this project on December 13, 2006 and the project is now under construction. The developer, Trumark, has nearly completed onsite water, storm drain and sewer utilities and is working on pedestrian ramps and sidewalks. Model homes are now open to the public, and the contractor is now focusing on new home construction.

11. Oak Creek (Builder: KB Homes) - A 65 single-family home development on approximately 44 acres at Felicita Road and Hamilton Lane. City Council approved the project on March 4, 2015 and a map extension was approved by the Planning Commission on April 18, 2018. The first seven homes are now under construction.

12. Harvest Hills, (Developer: Concordia Homes) - 550 residential subdivision, east of Rancho San Pasqual. A project webpage containing more detail, including draft documents and plans can be accessed at the following link:

https://www.escondido.org/safari-highlands-ranch-specific-plan.aspx

The project is still in the entitlement phase. Generally speaking, several remaining pieces of the project must be finalized before a staff recommendation can be developed and the project scheduled for the public hearing process. These include finalizing the environmental impact report, preparation of a development agreement, and a fire protection and evacuation plan for that area. Only after these items are reviewed and staff comments fully addressed will the project be scheduled for public hearings with the Planning Commission and City Council. The target date for the public hearings is late summer and fall 2021.

13. The Villages at Escondido Country Club (Builder: Lennar Homes) 380 residences located on the former golf course off of Country Club Lane, north of El Norte Parkway. The project was approved by City Council on November 15, 2017 and the project is now under construction.

Villages I - Underground utility realignment work will be starting at the intersection of La Brea and Country Club. The work is expected to start in the coming weeks and is expected to last several months. During this time Country Club travel lanes will be realigned during working hours. Electronic message boards will be placed prior to the start of work to notify the public of the upcoming work and lane realignment. About 60 homes have been given final inspections. Many of the homes built are now under contract to individual purchasers.

Village II - Rough grading is nearing completion. The Final Map is scheduled for City Council review and consideration on May 12, 2021. After the Final Map is approved, the developer can start developing new homes within this village.

Village III - Rough grading is nearing completion. The contractor is installing a new sewer manhole and main line at the intersection of La Brea and Country Club along with private water and sewer lines. In track curb and gutter has started to be placed.

City Projects or Other Capital Improvement Projects:

14. Storm Drain Pipe Lining and Rehabilitation Project Phase II - The Contractor is continuing to clean and make repairs to the storm drain flow line. The work consists of storm drain cleaning, inspection, CCTV, repairing and grouting voids, point repairs, grouting existing flow line, cured in place pipe lining, storm drain structure floor repairs, post CCTV and inspection, overall rehabilitation of existing corrugated metal pipe storm drain systems. This week the Contractor completed the lining of ten storm drains at the following locations: Monteview Dr, Valley Blvd, Meyers Rd, Martin Dr., North Escondido Blvd, Kenora, Fondale, and Hoover. The next phase will be the construction of two new storm drain inlets and the repairs to two damaged pipes before they can be installed. Vermal Avenue, Auto Parkway, Park Drive, portions of Centre City Parkway are ready to grout. Repairs are needed on McLain Street, Escondido Boulevard, and Vista De La Canada.

15. Multi Neighborhood Street Light L.E.D. retrofit Project Phase II - This project generally consists of the removal of approximately 725 non-LED street light fixtures and safety light fixtures, and the replacement with specified L.E.D. street light fixtures and L.E.D. safety light fixtures at various locations within the City of Escondido. The contractor is continuing to retro fit the new LED lights and has moved to the South East Zone, west of Midway Drive. To date, over 700 street lights have been converted.

16. SDG&E 16" Gas Main Replacement - In January 2019, the CPUC's Safety Enforcement Division approved SDG&E's test or replace plan for Line 1600, a 16-inch natural gas transmission pipeline which was not strength tested in 1949 when it was constructed. This next phase of PSEP projects will include 19 separate projects that will take place in the cities of San Diego, Escondido and Poway, as well as the County of San Diego. Approximately 5.4 miles of replacement and 2.7 miles of strength testing is expected to occur in Escondido from 2020-2024. The first portion occurred along Midway Drive, and work is now ongoing in Bear Valley Parkway. Construction is scheduled to conclude in July 2021. Approximately 40% of the project is now complete.

17. Citracado Parkway Extension - The project will extend Citracado Parkway between Andreasen and Harmony Grove Village Road, including a bridge over the Escondido Creekin the western portion of the City. In February, the Public Utilities Commission approved the relocation of electric transmission facilities necessary for the project. SDG&E has ordered the steel poles necessary for the relocation and expects to begin electric facility relocation in June. Bid and award of the actual road project is anticipated this summer with construction beginning in fall 2021 and completing in early 2023.

18. Escondido Entry Monument Sign - Work is ongoing for the sign foundations for all three locations for the new entry monument signs. When completed the project will consist of three new signs that will be placed at Grand Avenue near the Gateway Center, Via Rancho Parkway at Sunset Drive, and El Norte Parkway near Woodland Parkway.

 

 

19. 2021 Street Rehabilitation and Maintenance Projects Phase I (Concrete and Tree Removal and Replacement) - The City has accepted bids for Phase I of the annual Street Maintenance Project and the project will be starting in the next few weeks. This year's work will be in the North West Zone, which is bordered by Broadway to the east, State Route 78 to the south and City limits to the north and west. The scope of work will include the removal and replacement of over 30,000 square feet of concrete sidewalks, driveways and cross gutters. 52 pedestrian ramps will be upgraded to current standards and approximately 50 new trees will be planted. Phase II of the Street Maintenance Project will focus on street repair and rehabilitation.

20. Creek Trail Crossing - At the January 14, 2021 Transportation & Community Safety Commission meeting, the final design for the Creek Trail Crossings project that improves all seven Creek Trail intersections between Juniper and Citrus was approved. Improvements include a signal at Midway and rapid flashing beacons with bulb-outs, where the roadway width permits, at other locations. The project also fills in sidewalk gaps along Citrus and Midway. Final plans will be reviewed by the granting agency in February construction funding will be programmed by the California Transportation Commission in May with construction to begin by late summer.

21. Washington Park Skate Spot - 501 N. Rose. The City recently awarded this project bid to Geocon Skateparks. Construction is scheduled to start in the summer. When completed, the 7000-sf skate spot will be a new urban skate spot with multiple features including a quarter pipe, pump bump, grind edge, banked hip with rail and a 5-sided pyramid. Bid award was made by the City Council on April 21, 2021.

Ongoing Projects - No Updates This Week:

Projects that do not have any changes or updates this week will be listed here to indicate that they're still in progress. When an update occurs, the project will appear above in the Development and Capital Projects section.

County of San Diego Projects:

22. State Route 78 - Caltrans, in association with Hazard Construction, will be making improvements to State Route 78 over the coming months. Crews will work between Broadway to Flora Vista Street on State Route 78. At the conclusion of the work later this fall, residents and motorists will see and feel an improvement in ride quality and the extension of the service life of the roadway.

Pedestrians and cyclists will benefit from the reconstruction of 83 curb ramps to be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, modifying 7 traffic signals with vehicle 2 infrastructure (V2I), traffic signal upgrades, upgraded crosswalks and pedestrian signals, and a Class III bike route. The majority of the work will occur during the night with working hours from 8:30 pm to 5:00 am. For additional information contact Caltrans Public Information officer, Stephen Welborn at 619-913-9452.

Commercial / Office / Industrial:

23. Mercedes Benz Expansion - (Developer: Jody Stout, Integrity Design and Construction) 1101 W. 9th Avenue - A Master and Precise Plan modification to demo the existing dealership showroom and construct a new showroom, office, parts storage and service building. The project is still in the entitlement phase.

24. 7-Eleven Gas and Convenience Store - (Developer: Golcheh Group) 900 W. Mission Ave. - A 4,000 square foot convenience store with eight (8) fuel dispenser pumps on the northeastern corner of Mission/Rock Springs. The project was approved by the City Council on January 13, 2021. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.

25. Medical Office Building West on the Palomar Health Hospital Campus (MOB-West, Developer Palomar Pomerado Health) - A three-story medical office/outpatient facility of approximately 72,000 square feet. Approval for design review was issued by the Planning Division on January 17, 2013. The applicant recently requested some changes to the zoning permits and a substantial conformance determination was approved March 5, 2021. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.

26. ERTC/Palomar Health Parking Structure (Developer: McCarthur Construction). An application request was received on October 21, 2020 to build 1,906 parking spaces at the new hospital campus. The proposed parking garage is six stories. Approval for design review was issued by the Planning Division on April 4, 2021. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, and building plans. Building plans were received on April 12, 2021 and is currently in review.

Residential:

27. Warmington (Developer: Warmington Residential California, Inc.) - A 62 air-space condominium development, consisting of 10, three-story buildings located in the Southern Entry District of the South Centre City Specific Plan at 2200 S. Escondido Boulevard. The project was approved by the Planning Commission on March 23, 2021. The Planning Commission is the final decision-maker for the project. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.

28. North Iris Residential Development (Developer: Hallmark Communities) - An application for a Master and Precise Development Plan and Tentative Map for 102 condominiums at the southeast corner of North Iris Lane and Robin Hill Lane. The project is still in the entitlement phase. The initial application was submitted on March 11, 2021. The City completed its review and issued a comment letter on April 9, 2021, regarding the completeness of the application (i.e. notice of incomplete application).

29. Canterbury Gardens Apartment Project (Developer: Kensington Canterbury Gardens, LLC) - A Plot Plan application was submitted on January 26, 2021, for the development of an apartment project at 2402 South Escondido Boulevard (the site of the Canterbury Gardens retail store). The project proposes to demolish the existing structures on the site, and construct 44 townhome-style, market-rate rental units. Units will range in size from 1,028 to 1,254 square feet, will be three stories in height, and will have two to three bedrooms. The project is still in the entitlement phase.

30. Habitat for Humanity 10-Unit Condominium Development (Developer: San Diego Habitat for Humanity) - A 10-unit development at 245 E. El Norte Parkway. All units will be for sale to low-income households. This project was approved by City Council on February 10, 2021. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.

31. Villa Portofino - (Developer: Chris Post, ATC Design Group) 15 apartment units in a three-story building with parking garage at 2690 S. Escondido Blvd. The project is still in the entitlement phase.

32. Hacienda De Vega Redevelopment - (Developer: Tony Cassolato) An approved proposed residential condominium development consisting of 42 three-story attached townhomes on 1.75 acres. The project was approved by the City Council on October 21, 2020. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.

33. North Avenue Estates (Developer: Casey Johnson) - A 34 sing-family home development at North Avenue/Conway Drive. The project was approved by the City Council on January 10, 2018. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.

34. Sager Ranch/Daley Ranch Resort Specific Plan (Developer: J. Whalen Associates, Inc., Sager Ranch Partners) - 203 housing units and 225-room resort hotel on 1,783-acres, just north and east of Daley Ranch. The project is still in the entitlement phase and was deemed an incomplete application. A project webpage containing draft documents and plans can be accessed at the following link:

https://www.escondido.org/daley-ranch-resort-specific-plan.aspx

35. Fig Apartments (Developer Claude Marengo) - A 15-unit, three-story, multi-family residential apartment complex consisting of three stories on 0.59 acres. The project is still in the entitlement phase.

36. Reed Road Assisted Living Facility (2525 Reed LLC) - A new residential care facility is proposed on a 4.2-acre site on 2525 Reed Road. The project is still in the entitlement phase.

37. Iwashita Apartments (Developer: Iwashita Development) - A six-story, mixed-use project at 322 S. Escondido Boulevard for 172 units. The project is still in the entitlement phase.

38. Apollo Residential Care (NOAA Group) - An assisted living and memory care facility, with 78 units accommodating 99 beds at 3141 East Valley Parkway. The project was approved on January 14, 2020. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.

39. East Valley Parkway Apartments (Developer: John Wurster) - A 50-unit mixed use affordable apartment complex consisting of four stories situated on a 21,000 square foot vacant parcel in the historic District of the Downtown. The project is still in the entitlement phase.

40. Nutmeg Condo General Plan Amendment (Developer: Jim Simmons, CCI) - A 137 townhome condo unit project, located on both sides of Nutmeg between I-15 and Centre City Parkway. The first phase of the project was approved by the City Council on November 20, 2019. The second phase was approved by the City Council on November 18, 2020. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.

City Projects or Other Capital Improvement Projects:

41. Lake Wohlford Replacement Dam - the project involves a new dam downstream (west) of the existing dam and partial deconstruction of the existing dam. The replacement dam would feature an outlet tower that is integrated into the dam's upstream face; the top of the existing outlet tower would be demolished, and the bottom of the existing outlet tower and the outlet pipe would be filled with sand and abandoned in place. The project would entail improvement and extension of an existing unpaved access road located west of the Lake Wohlford Marina, extending it to the right (north) abutment of the replacement dam. The project's EIR was certified on August 23, 2020. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of permits and agreements by the wildlife agencies. In order to obtain environmental permits for construction, the City must prepare upstream restoration and mitigation plans, short term and long-term habitat management plans, a watershed evaluation, perform field protocol surveys, and update the Jurisdictional Wetland Delineation survey.

42. Membrane-Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility/MFRO (Developer: City of Escondido Utilities Department; 901 W. Washington Avenue). The MFRO Facility will treat recycled water conveyed via a 24-inch pipeline from the City's Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility (HARRF). The plant will treat the recycled water using membrane filtration (MF) and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies, and will have a maximum production capacity of 2.0 million gallons per day. The MFRO product water will be blended with recycled water that has not been treated by the MFRO process, to produce water with a salt concentration appropriate for agricultural irrigation. The project was approved by the Planning Division on August 19, 2020. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans. Filanc + Brown and Caldwell is the design-build contractor for the project. Grading plans are currently being reviewed by Staff.

43. School and Traffic Safety Projects - Each year the Traffic Commission prioritizes and funds traffic safety projects focused on improving pedestrian and vehicle safety. Projects are nominated by each School District, COMPACT, residents and staff. This year four priority projects were completed, including crosswalk improvements at Oak Hill and Citrus, crosswalk improvements on Lincoln Avenue near Pioneer Elementary, pedestrian countdown timers at five intersections and an Audible Pedestrian Signal at El Norte and Centre City Parkway that serves the sight impaired.

 

 

44. Spruce Street/Transit Center Pedestrian Bridge Project - The City Council approved a Partial Notice of Completion for areas 2 and 3 on February 10, 2021, which ends the construction contract on the storm drain channel between Grand and Valley and between Spruce and Third Avenue. Those sections will now be maintained by Public Works as part of the City's storm drain system. The earthen portion between Grand and Valley will also have a contractor maintaining the plantings in that area as required by the environmental permits for the project.

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

On Monday, April 26, Fire Crews conducted HAZMAT response training at the Lake Dixon Water Treatment Plant. This drill was graciously hosted by our City's water treatment plant team, and attended by the San Diego HAZMAT team and San Diego County Environmental Services. This was an outstanding training event that simulated a previous real-world incident response at another facility. All attendees participated in the same collaborative manner necessary for these kinds of responses. The scenario provided a conduit for refresher training and familiarization, as well as improving the positive relationships between the different crews. San Diego HAZMAT provided excellent feedback and additional familiarization with the services and expertise they can bring to any HAZMAT incident.

On Saturday May 1, at approximately 8:08 p.m., the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a serious injury accident on E. Lincoln Avenue near N. Fig Street. Escondido police officers, a fire engine and paramedic ambulance were dispatched to the scene. The first arriving Engine Company found that the occupants of the vehicle were not injured, however, a horse trailer that contained two horses had disconnected from the towing vehicle and rolled on its side after striking a curb. Both horses were lying on their side, one on top of the other, trapped in the small trailer. The Captain immediately requested additional resources including Animal Services, a Large Animal Rescue Team and a veterinarian. As Firefighters cut away pieces of the trailer in an attempt to free the horses, the horses became agitated causing concern that rescue efforts may cause further injuries. Once the veterinarian and Large Animal Rescue Team arrived, the horses were sedated and were safety removed. Fortunately, the horses appeared to have relatively minor injuries. Animal Services officers assisted the owner with transportation of the horses from the scene. This was an uncommon rescue incident that had a positive outcome due to the collaboration among several service providers.

If you would like to receive this report by email on Thursdays, email: mthorne@escondido.org.
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