State Park Peace Officers presented with the Medal of Valor (Gold)

Lifeguard James W. Nothhelfer

Ranger Timothy B. Fellars

On June 22, 2009, California State Park Peace Officers, Lifeguard James W. Nothhelfer and Ranger Timothy B. Fellars, responded to a report of an overturned boat off the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve near Moss Beach. This area is well known for causing boat accidents due to the hazardous, shallow reef. At approximately 1:00 p.m., Officer Nothhelfer arrived on the scene, put his wetsuit on, and began to paddle out toward the victims. Facing nine foot choppy surf that was closely spaced due to the northwest winds that day and floating debris and gasoline caused from the overturned boat, Officer Nothhelfer made his way out through the rocky reef surf zone approximately 300 yards offshore. Six family members, including a six year old boy, had all been tossed into the 54 degree water when their boat overturned. Gathering five of the six family members together on top of his rescue paddleboard, Officer Nothhelfer was able to locate the sixth member who was clinging to the bow of the boat and brought him back to the paddleboard just before the boat sank. Officer Nothhelfer was able to hold on to all of the family members until Ranger Fellars arrived on the scene to provide additional help. Ranger Fellars, a former Lifeguard with California State Parks, put his wetsuit on and swam out through the same dangerous area to assist Officer Nothhelfer. Despite being hit repeatedly by the surf, together they were able to hold on to the family members until all were transferred to a waiting Patrol boat. After transport to the harbor, five of the family members were transported by ground ambulances to area hospitals and treated for hypothermia. The six year old boy was transported by medical helicopter to an area hospital for severe hypothermia and near drowning. Although tired from their efforts, Officer Nothhelfer and Officer Fellars were not injured during this strenuous and dangerous ocean rescue

SPPOAC Question

SPPO Question of the Month:

Q: I do not have Legal Defense. What can I do?

A: Starting March 1st, SPPOAC will provide Legal Defense to it's members. Look here for more details later.

James Valdez
SPPOAC President Elect
Jan 31th, 2010

Q: Where can I find more information about furloughs?

A: Furlough Program - Answers to Employee Questions DPA Q/As

James Valdez
SPPOAC Vice-President
Nov 18th, 2009

Q: Are full members of POC, also members of PORAC?I have PORAC Blue Cross Insurance now throuch CSLEA/SPPOAC and when I leave CSLEA, I think I might lose access to PORAC Insurance. I have to be a member of PORAC to get their insurance.Thanks

A: The fee's you pay CSLEA (mine are $87.37) stay with CSLEA:
this includes $7.00/mo dues to PORAC $15.00/mo to SPPOAC
CSLEA owes SPPOAC thousands of dollars for reimbursement fees paid by SPPOAC to PORAC for members who have PORAC Blue Cross ($7.00/mo)
CSLEA owes SPPOAC thousands of dollars for reimbursement fees paid by SPPOAC members ($15.00/mo.) who pay their SPPOAC dues with their union dues.
SPPOAC has many members who are members of PORAC who take advantage of the PORAC Blue Cross.
SPPOAC Supervisory members are also members of PORAC.
All it requires to be a member of PORAC, is to be a member of SPPOAC ($15.00/mo.) PORAC dues are $7.00/mo.
If you want to change your insurance during open enrollment and wish to stay a member of PORAC Blue Cross or want to change your existing insurance to PORAC Blue Cross, we can make that happen.

Jim Pence
SPPOAC Treasurer
Aug 30, 2009

Q: I was just told by my supervisor that if I work a holiday as part of my normal work week, I no longer get overtime(WO). Is that right?

A: That is correct. Per a memo passed by DPA on March 29th, 2009, Senate Bill X3 8 amended Government Code Section 19853, so worked holidays will no longer accrue overtime(WO). You will recieve holiday credit and straight time for the time worked instead. As with last month's question, law can supersede when we're working without a contract.

James Valdez
SPPOAC Vice-President
May 5th, 2009

SPPOAC

Thought you might enjoy this photo of our nation's symbol of freedom, the Bald Eagle, standing guard at one of our State Parks. As the sign says, "This is your heritage, help guard it". Photo taken today from my kayak while paddling at Ahjumawi Lava Springs California State Park in Northern California. Keep up the good work of protecting our parks. Jim Duckworth, Redding, CA Eagle by Jim Duckworth, Redding, CA

Chapters

Chapter One - Inland, Orange, Angeles, Hungry Valley, Tehachapi Districts
Chapter Two - San Diego, Colorado Desert, Ocotillo Districts
Chapter Three - Capitol, Gold Fields, Sierra Districts
Chapter Four - Northern Buttes, Mendocino, North Coast Redwoods Districts
Chapter Five - Oceano Dunes, Channel Coast, SLO Coast Districts
Chapter Six - Diablo Vista, North Bay, Twin Cities, Central Valley Districts
Chapter Seven - Monterey, Santa Cruz, Hollister Hills Districts
Chapter Eight - Supervisory Chapter
Chapter Retired - Retired Rangers and Lifeguards

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© 2009 State Park Peace Officers Association of California

SPPOAC News...

SPPOAC Elections
Ballots will be mailed out on March 1st. Also, SPPOAC will roll out Legal Defense for it's members.

Jan 31st, 2010

CSLEA/POC PERB Update
***It seems it's delayed again. Will update as soon as PERB let's us know.

Jan 31st, 2010

SPPOAC Supports "The California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010" Document (PDF)

Dec 18, 2009

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
DOC

Dec 7th, 2009

Please update your browser to see all the features of this website. We have added Policeone, state worker, and IA news feeds.

Dec 3th, 2009


Home Board of Directors Chapters Job Stewards Documents Contract About SPPOAC Reflectors Links Site Map Contact Us In Memory Medal of Valor Lend SPPOAC a helping hand and do not forget we are a 501c3!		SPPOAC State Park Peace Officers presented with the Medal of Valor (Gold) Lifeguard James W. Nothhelfer Ranger Timothy B. Fellars On June 22, 2009, California State Park Peace Officers, Lifeguard James W. Nothhelfer and Ranger Timothy B. Fellars, responded to a report of an overturned boat off the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve near Moss Beach. This area is well known for causing boat accidents due to the hazardous, shallow reef. At approximately 1:00 p.m., Officer Nothhelfer arrived on the scene, put his wetsuit on, and began to paddle out toward the victims. Facing nine foot choppy surf that was closely spaced due to the northwest winds that day and floating debris and gasoline caused from the overturned boat, Officer Nothhelfer made his way out through the rocky reef surf zone approximately 300 yards offshore. Six family members, including a six year old boy, had all been tossed into the 54 degree water when their boat overturned. Gathering five of the six family members together on top of his rescue paddleboard, Officer Nothhelfer was able to locate the sixth member who was clinging to the bow of the boat and brought him back to the paddleboard just before the boat sank. Officer Nothhelfer was able to hold on to all of the family members until Ranger Fellars arrived on the scene to provide additional help. Ranger Fellars, a former Lifeguard with California State Parks, put his wetsuit on and swam out through the same dangerous area to assist Officer Nothhelfer. Despite being hit repeatedly by the surf, together they were able to hold on to the family members until all were transferred to a waiting Patrol boat. After transport to the harbor, five of the family members were transported by ground ambulances to area hospitals and treated for hypothermia. The six year old boy was transported by medical helicopter to an area hospital for severe hypothermia and near drowning. Although tired from their efforts, Officer Nothhelfer and Officer Fellars were not injured during this strenuous and dangerous ocean rescue SPPOAC Question SPPO Question of the Month: Q: I do not have Legal Defense. What can I do? A: Starting March 1st, SPPOAC will provide Legal Defense to it's members. Look here for more details later. James Valdez SPPOAC President Elect Jan 31th, 2010 Q: Where can I find more information about furloughs? A: Furlough Program - Answers to Employee Questions DPA Q/As James Valdez SPPOAC Vice-President Nov 18th, 2009 Q: Are full members of POC, also members of PORAC?I have PORAC Blue Cross Insurance now throuch CSLEA/SPPOAC and when I leave CSLEA, I think I might lose access to PORAC Insurance. I have to be a member of PORAC to get their insurance.Thanks A: The fee's you pay CSLEA (mine are $87.37) stay with CSLEA: this includes $7.00/mo dues to PORAC $15.00/mo to SPPOAC CSLEA owes SPPOAC thousands of dollars for reimbursement fees paid by SPPOAC to PORAC for members who have PORAC Blue Cross ($7.00/mo) CSLEA owes SPPOAC thousands of dollars for reimbursement fees paid by SPPOAC members ($15.00/mo.) who pay their SPPOAC dues with their union dues. SPPOAC has many members who are members of PORAC who take advantage of the PORAC Blue Cross. SPPOAC Supervisory members are also members of PORAC. All it requires to be a member of PORAC, is to be a member of SPPOAC ($15.00/mo.) PORAC dues are $7.00/mo. If you want to change your insurance during open enrollment and wish to stay a member of PORAC Blue Cross or want to change your existing insurance to PORAC Blue Cross, we can make that happen. Jim Pence SPPOAC Treasurer Aug 30, 2009 Q: I was just told by my supervisor that if I work a holiday as part of my normal work week, I no longer get overtime(WO). Is that right? A: That is correct. Per a memo passed by DPA on March 29th, 2009, Senate Bill X3 8 amended Government Code Section 19853, so worked holidays will no longer accrue overtime(WO). You will recieve holiday credit and straight time for the time worked instead. As with last month's question, law can supersede when we're working without a contract. James Valdez SPPOAC Vice-President May 5th, 2009 SPPOAC Thought you might enjoy this photo of our nation's symbol of freedom, the Bald Eagle, standing guard at one of our State Parks. As the sign says, "This is your heritage, help guard it". Photo taken today from my kayak while paddling at Ahjumawi Lava Springs California State Park in Northern California. Keep up the good work of protecting our parks. Jim Duckworth, Redding, CA Chapters Chapter One - Inland, Orange, Angeles, Hungry Valley, Tehachapi Districts Chapter Two - San Diego, Colorado Desert, Ocotillo Districts Chapter Three - Capitol, Gold Fields, Sierra Districts Chapter Four - Northern Buttes, Mendocino, North Coast Redwoods Districts Chapter Five - Oceano Dunes, Channel Coast, SLO Coast Districts Chapter Six - Diablo Vista, North Bay, Twin Cities, Central Valley Districts Chapter Seven - Monterey, Santa Cruz, Hollister Hills Districts Chapter Eight - Supervisory Chapter Chapter Retired - Retired Rangers and Lifeguards Home \| Contact Us \| Site Map © 2009 State Park Peace Officers Association of California		SPPOAC News... SPPOAC Elections Ballots will be mailed out on March 1st. Also, SPPOAC will roll out Legal Defense for it's members. Jan 31st, 2010 CSLEA/POC PERB Update ***It seems it's delayed again. Will update as soon as PERB let's us know. Jan 31st, 2010 SPPOAC Supports "The California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010" Document (PDF) Dec 18, 2009 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes DOC Dec 7th, 2009 Please update your browser to see all the features of this website. We have added Policeone, state worker, and IA news feeds. Dec 3th, 2009