Heat threatens county livestock, poultry

A local emergency may be declared in Kings County in the wake of the heat wave that, according to health officials, is killing a "extraordinarily high" number of livestock and poultry. Last week's heat wave was especially intense, as the high temperature reached 110 degrees.

On Tuesday, the Kings County Board of Supervisor is expected to adopt a resolution of an emergency proclaiming that the region's rendering facilities aren't able to handle the number of dead cows and birds resulting in the accumulation of carcasses.

The accumulation of such carcasses poses a public health hazard, the Kings County Department of Public Health has determined.

The emergency declaration would relax regulatory restrictions at Waste Management's Kettleman Hills Facility, allowing the disposal of liquefied carcasses and extending its operation hours to allow the carcass disposal from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In a study session, the supervisors will also discuss the possible creation of a consolidated dispatch center.

The Kings County Sheriff's Department and Fire Department, as well as police departments of Hanford and Corcoran each have their own dispatchers, equipment and office space. The county leaders have been looking into a plan for a central dispatch center that would consolidate those separate offices possibly into a single 24-hour operation. County administrators say it could have some significant benefits: Seamless communications among different agencies thus better response times and, possibly, some tax-dollar savings.

But so far, cities aren't on board with the concept, County administrators say.

The Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Board Chambers, 1400 Lacey Blvd., Hanford.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(July 14, 2008)