🌱 EMTs Low Pay + OC Green Power: No Board Or Public Say + Jobs

Hello, Orange County! Here's everything you need to know happening around town today.

First, today's weather:

A partly sunny day today and warm. High: 80. Low: 51.

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Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Ambulance EMTs in Orange County and Los Angeles County are calling for higher wages. Union leaders for ambulance workers say that more than a quarter of Care Ambulance EMTs are leaving the profession or retiring due to low wages and other problems at the company. Care Communications Director Jeff Lucia said in an email that EMTs often leave to join fire departments, law enforcement, or to go to paramedic school. Phil Petit, national director of the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics, told dozens of Care Ambulance workers outside Los Angeles City Hall that $15 an hour — minimum wage — is not enough money for the lifesaving work they do. Care ambulance units serve roughly 6 million people in L.A. and Orange counties and have been fined more than $160,000 by Orange County for "lagging response times," according to county data. You can read the full story here: (Los Angeles Times)
2. Orange County’s new green power agency that controls electricity rates for over 700,000 county residents is planning to give CEO Brian Probolsky "vastly expanded" purchasing powers without board review or public disclosure, according to an agency staff report. Probolsky’s record has been questioned by concerned environmentalists and community advocates citing his lack of experience in the energy sector and former experience as a political aide to county Republican leaders. The Voice of OC reported that Probolsky, who does not have a college degree, oversees a $34.5 million budget and has a public salary of $239,000, is seeking broad spending authority on contracts up to $125,000 without the board’s review or approval, according to an agency staff report. You can read the full story here: (Voice of OC)
3. If you are looking for a new job, or know someone who does, companies are hiring in Orange County. Do you like to help others? Customer service representatives are in high demand. The Hydra Electric Company is hiring in Anaheim, and CG Staffing is looking for bilingual customer service representatives starting at $22-$24 per hour. Read more and see who's hiring now in Orange County and the surrounding area: (Orange County Patch)

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Today in Orange County:

• Positive Parenting for Children with a Disability in Spanish. (All Day)
• Ash Wednesday (Events) — Los Amigos High. (All Day)
• Instrumental Concert — Santa Ana High School. (All Day)
• Music Concert — Band — Trabuco Hills High. (All Day)
• Credit Recovery — World History (Events). (8:25 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• This Week's Events: In the Orange County area: (Orange County Patch)
• Favorite OC Photos: "These 59 photos are our OC photographers’ favorites from February 2022" (OCRegister)
• The Honda Center: Will be hosting a memorial service for the officer killed in a helicopter crash: (Orange County Patch)
• Women's Empowerment Week: Wear teal for sexual harassment awareness and purple for domestic violence: (All Day)

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Events:

• Divorce Boot Camp — Vesta Irvine, California Hub. (Mar. 2)
• Timeless Treasures Boutiques POP UP! (Mar. 3)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Mar. 7)
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• Retired Public Employees Association Membership Brunch. (Details)
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That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Paula Constance

About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place.