Queen Creek Beat

The town of Queen Creek will now be accepting online job applications starting Monday.
The new system will help the town decrease unnecessary paperwork and increase the amount of job applicants, according to Human Resources director Bruce Gardner.
The old system of paper applications will still be available for a limited time, but the town hopes to change the application process to online only.
Applications can be placed on Queen Creek’s Web site, queencreek.org, and those needing assistance can call (480) 358-3201.

The town of Queen Creek wants residents to be prepared for emergencies by following an easy four-step process outlined by fire inspector Jon Spezzacatena.

According to Spezzacatena, September is National Preparedness Month. He is asking citizens to make an emergency kit with food, water and other items related to first aid.

The second step to prepare for an emergency situation would be to create a family evacuation plan, Spezzacatena said.

Spezzacatena wants residents to inform themselves about all the types of disasters that could happen in the QC area, such as monsoons and flooding.

He recommends that residents should get involved in the community by signing up for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or Citizen Cops.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office had 11 volunteers graduate from a training course that specializes in giving assistance and helping citizens in crisis situations.

According to PCSO spokeswoman Vanessa White, 11 volunteers graduated on Aug. 21 after the 45-hour class was complete.  The classes were held for Victim Services volunteers, Chaplains and the Critical Incident Stress Management team (CISM).

Victim Services volunteers provide comfort and assistance for criminal witnesses and disaster survivors, White said.

Chaplains are members of the clergy that provide emotional and spiritual support, while CISM provides one-on-one services and group debriefing for PCSO.

A volunteer search and rescue program in Pinal County is looking for experienced men and women to join a mounted search team.

According to founder Louie Villa,  the Sororan Search and Rescue team will be adding a new horseback riding portion and needs experienced horseback riders.  The team is a not-for-profit volunteer organization that aids law enforcement in finding lost or stranded people and providing them with first aid.

Villa said his volunteers are fully trained in first-response life saving techniques and are trained for navigating in the wilderness.

People who are interested in volunteering should contact Villa at (602) 550-7230.

Sarah J. Boggan, Tribune

Ocotillo Road will be closed between Ellsworth and Ellsworth Loop roads at 8 p.m. today and is scheduled to reopen at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Overnight, crews will be completing some asphalt maintenance work on this portion of roadway. Traffic will be detoured north and south on Ellsworth and Ellsworth Loop roads to bypass this area.

For more information about the project call the Queen Creek Traffic Hotline at (480) 358-3132.

According to the City of Queen Creek website, several roads will be closed over the weekend for construction.

These roads include:

- Rittenhouse Road in between Hawes and Sossaman Roads.

- Germann Road in between the newly realigned Rittenhouse Road and Sossaman Road.

These roads will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday July 25th to 5 a.m. Monday July 28th.  Local access to the intersection of Rittenhouse and Hawes Roads with remain open.

The Eloy Fire Department donated $5,000 worth of hazardous material equipment to the Pinal County Sheriff’s office Tuesday.

Sheriff Chris Vasquez helped to accept the Sirius air monitor, Ludlum radiation monitor, two hazmat suits and two pairs of hazmat boots, according to a release from spokeswoman Vanessa White.

PSCO deputies are often asked to cover hazmat situations when the fire department is unable to respond.