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August 2018
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New Members
Upcoming Events
PWPM 5K Walk at Board of Directors - September 21, 2018 Committee Schedule Fall Pest Ed - Southern California, October 30, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting – December 6-8, 2018 
Staff contact
August SAN FERNANDO VALLEY DISTRICT SAN GABRIEL DISTRICT LOS ANGELES / SOUTH BAY HARBOR DISTRICT DIABLO VALLEY DISTRICT – August 28 @ 6:30 p.m.
SAN BERNARDINO / RIVERSIDE DISTRICT VINTAGE COASTAL DISTRICT – September 5 @ 7:00 p.m. SHASTA DISTRICT – September 11 @ 12:00 p.m. MID CAL DISTRICT SAN DIEGO DISTRICT – September 11 @ 5:30 p.m. BAY AREA DISTRICT CENTRAL VALLEY DISTRICT – September 13 @ 4:00 p.m. ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT – September 13 @ 6:00 p.m. SOUTHERN VALLEY DISTRICT – September 13 @ 6:30 p.m. SANTA CLARA DISTRICT – September 18 @ 6:30 p.m. (TBD due to September BOD) VENTURA DISTRICT – September 18 @ 7:00 p.m. CENTRAL COAST DISTRICT (Formerly known as SANTA BARBARA DISTRICT)
MONTEREY DISTRICT – October 16 @ 6:00 p.m. BIG VALLEY DISTRICT – October 17 @ 7:00 a.m.
Volunteer Corner
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A few weeks ago I attended the Structural Pest Control Meeting in Sothern California and found many PCOC members in attendance that day. The reason for the turnout was concern over the applicator exam and how we can better understand the pass/failure rate. There has been significant concern about some of the questions on the test and whether they are appropriate for this entry level exam. The good news is that SPCB has heard us loud and clear and they will be talking with Office of Professional Exam Services (OPES) at the Department of Consumer Affairs about the make up of the exam. We also are currently talking with the leadership of the Board to determine how our membership can assist them when there are opportunities for us to participate in this process in a meaningful way. Again, thank you all for your help and we will keep you updated on this important matter!
Chris Reardon
PCOC Executive Vice President
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the Structural Pest Control Board's (SPCB) testing and licensing process. There are certain aspects of this process that Industry are responsible for and parts that the SPCB are responsible for.
Industry has the ability influence the time in which a new employee is licensed. One way of decreasing this time is by registering with PSI as soon as the employee is eligible for the test. This will give the candidate the opportunity to pick the time and place to take the test. If you wait until the candidate has studied and is “ready” for the RA test, then you may need to wait longer to find an available seat.
Recently, the SPCB ran a report looking at some of the time frames associated with various steps in the licensing process. In a random selection of RA candidates, it took Industry an average of almost 17 days to register for a test with PSI. It then took another almost 11 days to get a seat. PSI is contractually required to get us a seat within 5 days (doesn't need to be our top choice but close). So if Industry is taking a seat that long out, then it is our choice. But if PSI is not offering a seat within that time frame, then please let me know and we can address that with them.
Another aspect that Industry controls is the application information. One of the comments from PSI and the SPCB is the handwriting on the applications is not able to be read. This impacts the ability for PSI to email the handbook and the candidate not receiving it in time.
There is a common misunderstanding about when a newly licensed technician can work on their own. A technician can work on their own once their license number is posted on the SPCB website. The Department of Consumer Affairs is under contract to mail license numbers out within 8 business days. Again, if this is not happening, please let me know. However, it is not needed to wait for the paper license to arrive. Print out the webpage that has the license information and carry that around until the pocket license arrives.
While industry has their aspects, the SPCB has theirs, DCA has theirs, and PSI has theirs. We all have room for improvement in our parts and we are working on them. Please let me know if there are specific questions you have about the process.
Here is the link to SPCB's License Lookup
Darren Van Steenwyk, M.S., BCE
Structural Pest Control Board, President
LEED Green Associate & Technical Director, Clark Pest Control
darrenv@clarkpest.com
Claiming and verifying your business on Google… It’s typically Step 1 of any local search marketing strategy. And then unfortunately, it tends to be neglected by businesses happy to just “check the box.” I know what you’re thinking: “Okay Alain, why so dramatic about this topic?”
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already claimed and verified your business on Google, (if not, we need to talk). But your listing – now referred to as Google My Business (GMB) – may be missing some very important pieces. GMB is a top priority for Google and should be for you, too.
Plus, there are plenty of new features being rolled out for GMB, including business descriptions, feature lists, and custom posts for events and offers.
These new features are becoming increasingly relevant to pest control businesses like yours this year, simply because ranking high in the Maps section has become an even greater centerpiece to your marketing.
Here are 7 simple steps to optimizing your GMB listing:
- (a) Search for your business on Google
- (b) Ensure that it is verified -- if not, request verification
[Hint: If you don’t know how to do these first two steps, feel free to give me a call or email me, and my team will let you know. They can even walk you through the verification process – for free.]
- (b) Ensure that it is verified -- if not, request verification
- Take a good nap! You deserve it. Okay seriously. What I mean to say is, confirm that your listing has an accurate “NAP” (Name, Address and Phone number)
- List your hours of operation
- Choose a relevant business category
- Upload relevant images of your business/staff/equipment
- Build reviews (Hint: This should be a company-wide function)
- Publish a general post about your business, and monitor for any new Q&A submissions
Checking these off shouldn’t take long. It’s a small investment that could pay off this year, especially as Google brings more emphasis to their GMB section. Keep in mind that like many Web Marketing strategies, this should be ongoing. It is not something you can “set and forget.”
Feel free to reach out if you have questions about this process, and my team and I would be happy to help at websites@markethardware.com if you’d like my opinion.
Alain Parcan, director of marketing for Market Hardware, Inc., contributed this article. Alain brings nearly 10 years of experience in educating businesses so they can market themselves more effectively. Market Hardware helps small businesses compete on the web and offers special discounts for PCOC members. You can reach Alain’s team at (888) 381-6925.
Hot Weather Alert
Employers are responsible for providing workplaces that are safe from excessive heat. Yet every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even die. Heat illnesses and deaths are preventable.
The risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths increases during warm summer months; humidity increases the risk. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include:
- Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
- Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
How can heat illness be prevented?
Employers should establish a complete heat illness prevention program to prevent heat illness. This includes: provide workers with water, rest and shade; gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks for new workers or workers who have been away for a week or more to build a tolerance for working in the heat (acclimatization); modify work schedules as necessary; plan for emergencies and train workers about the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and their prevention; and monitor workers for signs of illness. Workers new to the heat or those who have been away from work and are returning can be most vulnerable to heat stress and they must be acclimatized.
To prevent heat-related illness and fatalities:
- Drink water every 15 minutes, even if you are not thirsty.
- Rest in the shade to cool down.
- Wear a hat and light-colored clothing.
- Learn the signs of heat illness and what to do in an emergency.
- Keep an eye on fellow workers
- “Easy does it” on your first days of work in the heat. You need to get used to it.
If workers are new to working in the heat or returning from more than a week off, and for all workers on the first day of a sudden heat wave, implement a work schedule to allow them to get used to the heat gradually. Working in full sunlight can increase heat index values by 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep this in mind and plan additional precautions for working in these conditions.
Remember these three simple words: Water, Rest, Shade. Taking these precautions can mean the difference between life and death. For further help, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program professionals of EPIC at (877) 860-7378 or email us at ProPest@epicbrokers.com. Also, check out our website at www.pcocinsurance.com.
Paul Lindsay
Senior Vice President
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
Every year, NPMA gathers thousands of pest management professionals from across the globe to offer opportunities for information sharing, provide access to the latest products, services, and technologies in the 100,000 square foot exhibit hall, and generate critical thinking in world-class educational sessions.
Join us as we celebrate this year’s PestWorld in Orlando!
WHO ATTENDS PESTWORLD?
- Owners and managers of pest management companies
- Pest management technicians and sales representatives
- Product manufacturers and distributors
- Industry researchers, educators and students
WHO EXHIBITS AT PESTWORLD?
- Manufacturers and Distributors of Products and Equipment for Pest Control, Rodent Control,
- Termite Control, Mosquito Control, Bed Bug Control, Nuisance Bird and Wildlife Control, and Lawn Care
- Mold Remediation Suppliers
- Companies that Provide General Services and Products for Small Businesses such as Cell Phones, Credit Cards, Insurance, Legal, and Security Video Systems
- Vehicle Equipment and Accessory Suppliers
- Computer Systems Technology Vendors
- Human Resource Consultants
Get Connected
Follow NPMA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SnapChat to keep in touch with us before, during, and after the conference.
Joining us in Orlando? Be sure to use the official hashtag #PestWorld2018 and let us know you're coming!
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For more information, please visit NPMA's PestWorld's website
*NEW* NPMA Login for Joint Membership
LOGIN: Email or Personal ID
PASSWORD: npma
Frequently Asked-For Websites
Department of Fish & Game
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/
Department of Food & Agriculture
www.cdfa.ca.gov
California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
www.cdpr.ca.gov
DPR on Facebook
www.facebook.com/capesticideregulation
DPR on YouTube (see "playlists" for videos pertaining to new surface water regulations)
www.youtube.com/user/californiapesticides
DPR on Twitter
twitter.com/ca_pesticides
DPR LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/company/california-department-of-pesticide-regulation
Healthy Schools Act
http://apps.cdpr.ca.gov/schoolipm/
Structural Pest Control Board
www.pestboard.ca.gov
Find Your Legislator
www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
NPMA's QualityPro Accrediation Application
www.npmaqualitypro.org/apply
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