Press Release

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April 16, 2003

Spanish-speaking Contra Costa residents will have a chance to see how county agencies are working together to protect local communities from natural and man-made disasters.

Vida Sana en Vivo, an award-winning Spanish language television program on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) will present a show debuting April 17 at 3:30 p.m. and replaying April 18 at 5:00 p.m., April 24 at 3:30 p.m. and April 25 at 5:00 p.m. The program will describe how the county's Community Warning System alerts residents to a disaster such as a chemical spill or terrorist act. The program also highlights the work that is being done to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile Virus.

"We feel it is important for our community to know we are taking action to keep them safe. Contra Costa County's population is roughly 18% Latino and the group is growing faStreet Information is not always available in Spanish and this is a way to provide needed information," said Eric Jonsson Hazardous Materials Specialist with Contra Costa County's Hazardous Materials Program.

Jonsson, who appears on the show, says the program demonstrates how the Sheriff's Office, the Health Department and other agencies use sirens, computer phone calls and other strategies to get information out fast during an emergency.

Carlos Sanabria, Lead Inspector for Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District will also appear on the show, explaining the steps the District is taking to prevent West Nile Virus from spreading.

"West Nile Virus has caused 277 deaths already and is moving weStreet We expect it to reach California this summer," said Sanabria.

Sanabria will also explain what steps families can take to reduce the mosquito population, who carry the potentially deadly disease, and steps they can take to reduce the risk of being bitten. Vida Sana en Vivo can be seen on Contra Costa Television, the County's public access cable TV station.

(In the Danville/Blackhawk area that's channel 10. In Clayton and Concord it is channel 15 and 18. In Oakley and Bethel Island, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek it's channel 19. In Antioch, Bay Point, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Concord, Crockett, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, Rodeo, and San Pablo it's channel 27. With Astound Cable it's channel 32.)

For more information on the Community Warning System visit the CAER website. For more information on West Nile Virus visit the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District or the Contra Costa Public Health department's West Nile Virus pages.

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