By Dianne Jacob

Backcountry boost: My colleagues on the Board of Supervisors recently joined me in approving plans for a new fire station in Pine Valley.

The two-story, 14,000-square-foot facility will replace the existing station and include expanded engine bays and sleeping quarters. Construction is expected to start around the middle of next year.

Since the deadly and massive Cedar Fire in 2003, the county has invested about $350 million in fire and emergency preparedness improvements across our region. The improvements include new stations and engines, a better trained firefighting force and expanded paramedic services.

Keeping our roads safe: Sacramento clamped down further on drunk driving with the recent passage of state Senate Bill 1046.

It requires all convicted drunk drivers to have an ignition lock on their cars, including first-time offenders. The device detects alcohol. A driver must blow into it to start the car.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving joined me earlier this year in calling for passage of the law. Those who are intoxicated have no business behind a wheel. Ever.

Helping families: The Alzheimer’s Project, our county-led effort to combat the region’s third leading cause of death, was recently awarded a $1 million federal grant to boost patient and family services.

The money will also be used to bolster training for social workers who assist Alzheimer’s caregivers and to better identify those with the disease and other forms of dementia.

Families dealing with Alzheimer’s are often under terrible stress and they need all the assistance we can give them. These federal funds will help us do that.

For more District 2 news, go to 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 San Diego County Supervisor for District 2.