By Dianne Jacob

Helping our veterans: The county recently launched Vet Connect, a program designed to make it easier for veterans in our rural areas to access needed services. It allows veterans to talk with county Veterans Services staff over the Internet, via a video and audio link at the Julian Library. The program is also set to come to county libraries in Campo, Pine Valley and other communities.

The idea for Vet Connect came up after veterans and others came to me and raised concerns about their access to critical services. With this initiative, we’re saving backcountry residents a time-consuming trip into town.

Prepare and protect: I recently helped unveil two new fire protection tools as we entered the fall wildfire season. The county added a third firefighting helicopter to its ASTREA fleet, based at Gillespie Field. The Bell 205 A-1 ++ can hoist equipment, ferry firefighters and has a 375-gallon water tank for fire suppression.

We also announced the creation of the Wildfire Hazard Map, which allows residents to see if they live in a state-designated hazard zone. It also provides critical information on how to prepare for wildfire. A link to the interactive map can be found at ReadySanDiego.org.

Play ball: Congratulations to Alpine and Lakeside residents on the new turf fields at your local schools – Alpine Elementary and El Capitan High School. The county’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Program helped fund the projects. Other program recipients in recent years include the Friends of the Poway Library and Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy.

For more District 2 news, visit diannejacob.com or follow me on Facebook and Twitter. If I can assist with a county issue, please call my office at 619-531-5522 or email [email protected] Have a great East County day!

––Dianne Jacob is County Supervisor for District 2. Write to her at [email protected].