Our department is responsible for the development of some cutting edge training programs for our community, law enforcement and other emergency response personnel - some of which are being used throughout the state by other agencies, including the Dept. of Homeland Security;  these include:

Fortuna Police Department Public Safety Newsletter: 

Published quarterly to inform the public of current scams that may affect them directly, crime prevention techniques, emergency preparedness, personal safety skills, changes in the law, and information for keeping children and young people safe. (Other issues on topics of special concern are published periodically).

Annual Merchant's Loss Prevention Seminars:

These address current scams, crime trends, and loss prevention techniques [including the management of workplace violence] for business merchants and their employees.

Annual Fortuna Disaster Preparedness Fair:

This event brings together dozens of federal, state, and local law enforcement, military and other emergency response agencies to demonstrate and to educate the public in various aspects of emergency and disaster response).  In the past several years we have joined with Redwood Memorial Hospital's Annual Health Fair to add another valuable facet to the community's emergency preparedness.  This is our 10th year [it began as our department's open-house] and the event is held on the first weekend of October at South Fortuna Elementary.  The purpose of this event is two-fold: To teach the community skills which they may need to survive during the first 72 hours following a disaster.  And, to show the public the inter-actions of the various agencies in assisting them during a disaster; giving them an opportunity to meet these men and women face-to-face.

Women's Self-Defense Training:  

Designed to teach women of all ages personal survival skills, increased awareness, recognition of at-risk behaviors, and to empower them to defend themselves from potential physical attack in a variety of situations.

Workplace Violence: Recognizing and Managing the Threat:

A multi-media educational training program designed to address the threat of violence in the workplace.  This program was primarily designed to train young people (high school age) who are beginning their first work experience.  There are several additional units in this training package that address health care workers, industrial and office settings, the retail and service industries, and workers with mobile work places.  One unit is designed to train front line supervisors and managers in dealing with the threat of workplace violence.

Counter-Terrorism; an Introduction for First Responders:

This program is designed to train state officials, law enforcement personnel and emergency first responders – and is being used throughout the state of California by other agencies.

Anti-Terrorism: Interdiction and Response for Law Enforcement:

This training is designed to train and equip law enforcement personnel in identifying and responding to potential terrorist activity while performing their day-to-day duties.  Our department has been instrumental in training most law enforcement personnel and many of our emergency first responders throughout Humboldt County in Anti-Terrorism Awareness.

Personal Protective Equipment Selection Guide: 

For Hazardous Materials Response; Including Chemical and Biological Agents of Terrorism – This guide was developed to assist emergency response personnel in selection, donning, decontamination, and care of personal protective equipment.  This program is being used by several California law enforcement agencies, state agencies, and by the Department of Homeland Security.

We are very proud of our department's accomplishments, and that the Fortuna Police Department is recognized not only on the Northcoast of California, but throughout the state for its innovations and initiative in staying abreast of changing technologies, the newest crime prevention techniques, and being ready to train and assist our community to deal with any disaster , whether natural or man-made.

Other successful programs...

• Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT)

• Disaster Planning

• Adopt-A-Cop

• Monthly Community Surveys

• Merchant Seminars

• Neighborhood Emergency Service Team (NEST)

• Operation ID