Operation Lightning Bolt Disaster Expo
Posted 5/1/2008

 Like a bolt of lightning, disaster can strike at anytime. We must all be safe, be strong and be prepared! The Operation Lightning Bolt Disaster Expo Event is being held to promote disaster preparedness and response within the region’s public safety and health care community, as well as with the public which we serve. Families are welcome! Many companies, which provide disaster and emergency products, will  have displays and booths. The agencies, such as fire, EMS, Air Ambulance Services and law enforcement, will have equipment displays and informational booths as well. The list of agency displays includes the National Guard 95th WMD Civil Support Team with capabilities to respond to chemical, biological and radiological threats. Beale AFB will have equipment and staff on hand that respond to hazardous material and CBRNE threats. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will have representatives from the law, fire and operations branches. On display will be an OES OASIS (Operational Area Satellite Information System) communications trailer, which provides a bank of 24 telephone lines and 24 electronic connections for computer equipment, including laptops, radio communications and live video streaming for mobile command and communications during a disaster. Many more interesting displays, including landing of multiple EMS helicopters, will be at the event! Lunch will be provided free of charge!

• (9:00 am-10:30 am) Mass Casualty and Terrorism Preparedness in Israel-Lessons for California: Israel is widely considered to be the world's foremost experts on mass casualty and terrorism response. This course will show how their hospital, pre-hospital and military caregivers prepare for and respond to events, with an emphasis on how their methods could be adopted in our own communities.
• (10:45 am-noon) General Disaster Preparedness for EMS and Healthcare Providers: This course focuses on EMS and healthcare response to disaster incidents. This course meets training requirements for ICS 100.
• (1:00 pm-3:00 pm) Personal Emergency Preparedness: This American Red Cross course focuses on community and family disaster response and preparedness. How you and your family can be personally prepared for emergency and disaster situations.
• (3:15 pm-4:30 pm) Disaster Preparedness for Pets and Livestock: Our animals are affected by disasters too! This course, offered by Yuba Sutter Domestic Animal Disaster Assistance, focuses on disaster preparedness for pets and livestock.

The following courses on disaster education will be open only to EMS, fire, law enforcement and medical
professionals and be provided free of charge:

• (1:00 pm-2:30 pm) Introduction to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS): Disaster strikes and more equipment is needed. This course introduces the learner to the SNS plan.
• (3:00 pm-4:30 pm) Basic Chempack Training: This course introduces the learner to the Chempack program and the medications included.

For more information and course registration, please contact Cyndi Parsons at 749-7520
or by e-mail at cparsons@co.yuba.ca.us

SoCal RV Formation Squadron to Perform at Golden West Regional Fly-in
Posted 4/22/2008

Marysville, California (April 21, 2008) Formation flying is not something that just any pilot can do, especially outside of the military. Visitors to this year’s Golden West Regional Fly-in and Airshow, June 6, 7 and 8, Yuba County Airport (MYV), will have the opportunity see the famous SoCal RV Formation Squadron put on precision flying demonstrations each day of the event.

“There’s much more to formation flying than flying a group of airplanes close to each other,” said squadron spokesman Dan Checkoway. “It takes training, skill, discipline and practice, and the result is exciting for both the audience and the pilots.”

“The theme of this year’s event is ‘Flying Together,’ and I can’t think of anyone who demonstrates what this means better than this group of dedicated pilots,” observes Golden West president John Gibson.

The squadron is made up of 21 members based in southern California, Nevada, Oregon and Arizona, all flying custom built “RV-series” Van’s airplanes known for their power and maneuverability. Many of the pilots built theirs from kits. They come from all walks of life, including commercial aviation, medicine, the military, engineering, architecture and education.

The Golden West Regional Fly-in will feature an airshow, forums and workshops. The Golden West Aero Mall^TM will have exhibits by manufacturers of the latest aircraft, avionics and pilot supplies. The Kid Qwest^TM hangar will provide hands-on aviation related activities for children of all ages. Experimental Aircraft Association chapters will be present to provide free flights for children ages 8-17 on Friday, as part of the Young Eagles program designed to introduce young people to aviation. Aircraft judging will be on Saturday with awards presented at a dinner that evening.

Many additional exciting and interesting activities are planned for this year’s Golden West Fly-in and will be announced soon. People who love flight will be “Flying Together” (this year’s Fly-in’s theme) to Marysville this June.

About Golden West Aviation Association

Golden West Aviation Association, Inc. is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) not-for-profit association based in Marysville, California and is best known for its annual fly-in. The Golden West Regional Fly-in & Airshow draws more than 1,000 aircraft and 10,000 people to Yuba County Airport (MYV). Through the Fly-in Golden West ‘opens the gates to aviation” while achieving its goals of promoting aviation education and safety and preserving aviation history. “The Golden West Regional Fly-in is under the sole ownership, control and operation of the Golden West Aviation Association and not EAA” For more information about the Golden West Fly-in go to the Golden West website (www.goldenwestflyin.org) or call the Golden West offices at (530) 852-0321.