CALIFORNIA
Tell us what you think. Help write CAL FIRE’s next chapter.
We’re writing a new strategic plan for 2024 and beyond, and we need to hear from you. What’s working well? What should our priorities be? What opportunities should be explored? Tell us your thoughts by taking the short survey (link below) and track the latest information through a new strategic plan webpage at https://www.fire.ca.gov/about/cal-fire-strategic-plan-2024
Take the survey at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/9aaac842c558428888553e5a290ab9a8
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SACRAMENTO
State to mobilize flood outreach effort to 1 million Californians
Working rapidly to protect Californians and stay one-step ahead of future flooding driven by record snowpack, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new comprehensive, multi-language grassroots outreach effort to engage more than 1 million Californians in high-risk areas.
Through Listos California, a program of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the state will mobilize teams of phone-bankers to conduct direct outreach to Californians living in high-risk flood areas in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Bernardino and Tulare counties.
“Whether it is on the phone, at a community gathering or at their door, having meaningful contact with Californians is how we empower our communities to keep themselves and their families safe from disasters,” said Gov. Newsom.
Modeled after a campaign-style “Get Out the Vote” effort, Californians in the target counties will receive information and resources in English, Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese or Mandarin, depending on their language. The calls will include flood awareness and preparedness information while encouraging residents to sign up for local emergency notifications and offering suggestions on how best to prepare for, respond to and recover from flooding should it be necessary.
When reached by telephone, Californians will speak directly with someone who will clearly identify themselves and state the purpose of the call. There is no charge to the individual for recommended services and there are strict measures in place to ensure confidentiality of personal information.
This outreach effort comes at a time when the State Department of Water Resources (DWR) has measured that statewide snowpack is at 237 percent of average. The runoff from that snowpack combined with rivers, reservoirs and watersheds that are already swollen from previous rainfall has created dangerous conditions in many parts of the state.
“While we are under blue skies today significant danger remains in many parts of our state. It is critical that Californians understand their risk and take steps to prepare themselves for possible flooding that could continue well into the summer months,” said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward.
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NEW YORK, N.Y.
Skin Cancer Awareness Month reminder: Early detection saves lives
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world, but there is good news: It’s also the cancer you can see on your body. By learning to recognize the warning signs of the disease, you can identify suspicious spots before they become dangerous. Most skin cancers are highly treatable when diagnosed at an early stage, but if left to grow, they can become disfiguring or even deadly. This is why the early detection of skin cancer is so important — it can save your life or the life of a loved one.
“I’ve had many patients point to something they found on their skin and ask, ‘What’s that?’” says Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “Sometimes it was a person’s partner who pushed them to get a spot checked out. We all have the power to speak up about a suspicious lesion on our own body or the skin of a friend or family member.”
What’s your skin cancer risk?
One in five Americans will get skin cancer by the age of 70. Anyone can get skin cancer regardless of race, ethnicity or skin tone, but some people are at higher risk than others. People with very fair skin are extremely susceptible to skin damage as well as to skin cancers. People with dark skin tones are generally less vulnerable to UV damage because of the type of melanin darker skin produces, and how it is distributed. However, when they do develop skin cancer, it tends to be found at a more advanced and dangerous stage. Other risk factors for skin cancer include a history of sunburns, a history of tanning (outside or in a tanning bed) and a family or personal history of skin cancer.
How to spot potential skin cancers
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends you perform a head-to-toe self-exam every month to look for potential skin cancers. Some things to look for include a growth that changes in size, thickness, color or texture. Skin cancers can appear pearly, transparent, tan, brown, black or multicolored. You should also pay attention to any sore or spot that continues to itch, hurt, crust or bleed or is slow to heal.
The Ugly Duckling rule is something else to keep in mind during a self-exam. The rule is based on the concept that normal moles on the body resemble each other, while melanoma (a dangerous form of skin cancer) can stand out like an ugly duckling. These lesions can be larger, smaller, lighter or darker in contrast to surrounding moles. Isolated lesions without surrounding moles for comparison are also considered ugly ducklings.
Since all skin cancers present differently, the most important tip is to be on the lookout for anything new, changing or unusual. If you spot anything suspicious during your self-exam, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist right away. You can find more information on how to perform a self-exam and how to prepare for an annual exam on SkinCancer.org.
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