Free Community Emergency Preparedness Class . .Register NOW

Registration available for free Community Emergency Preparedness Academy Registration for the City of Aliso Viejo's next Community Emergency Preparedness Academy is now available. The free eight-week program is designed to educate residents in emergency preparedness and provide them with the proper training to help themselves and those around them when emergency services are overwhelmed. Members of the academy will learn: * Family disaster preparedness and plans * Earthquake preparedness * Light search and rescue * Fire safety, fire extinguishers and wildfire preparedness * First Aid, CPR and defibrillators use * Sheriff's Department and Fire Authority operations The course also includes a tour of the county's Emergency Operations Center and 911 Dispatch and more. The City of Aliso Viejo is partnering with Doctor's Ambulance, the Orange County Sheriff's Department and Orange County Fire Authority to present the academy. Space is limited. Adults and teenagers (accompanied by a parent) are encouraged to register soon. The course, which takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday evenings, begins April 1 and runs through May 13 at City Hall, 12 Journey. Dinner is provided before each class at 6 p.m. The CPR, AED and First Aid classes will be held on Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Aliso Viejo's Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Rhyner at 949-635-1809 or srhyner@ocsd.org to register for the class.

Farewell to Margo Beauchamp and thanks for all you did for us!

Longtime Crime Prevention Specialist set to retire Margo Beauchamp, a longtime Crime Prevention Specialist for the City of Aliso Viejo, will be honored by the City Council on Wednesday. Margo is retiring from her post after serving in the job since 2001, the year the City of Aliso Viejo incorporated. Margo has been an outstanding crime prevention specialist and member of this community. She has been instrumental in facilitating an array of successful programs like Walk to School Day; Bike helmet fitting; car-seat installation; National Night Out; National Take Back Day; Bicycle Rodeos; and a Sheriff's video unit called "A Helmet is Cooler than a Coma." She launched the successful "Remove It or Lose It"; "Caught Being Good"; and "Open Garage Notices" programs. She has taught more than 60 Neighborhood Watch Groups over the last 12 years and has poured her heart and soul into this community. It's no surprise that Margo was recognized as the Crime Prevention Specialist of the Year in 2006. "Margo has been instrumental in helping Police Services remain involved in this community," said Lt. John MacPherson, Chief of Police Services. "She has been an asset to this City and will be missed by members of Police Services, City staff and the community." The City Council meeting starts at 7 p.m. February 19 in the Council Chambers at 12 Journey. The public is always welcome. To see the Council's agenda and for more information, visit http://cityofalisoviejo.com.