In writing my first article as President of the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC), I am excited by the potential that exists within the professional pest management industry in California and throughout our country. Our association supports our mission statement which is “Through environmental stewardship and legislative and regulatory advocacy, we are able to do our jobs to protect people, property, and our food supply”. As our volunteers and companies involved with this association work tirelessly on our behalf, we all benefit from these efforts. This is why I believe we are all responsible for joining and supporting our PCOC association. We need your time, talent, and your treasure. Every individual has something to give to keep our association strong, to protect our industry that continues to provide each of us with an honest living and protects the families and businesses we serve.

Over the years serving on various committees, and during my 6-year journey on the executive committee, I have experienced fantastic industry events. I have met great folks in this industry, and have collaborated with colleagues on ways to enhance this association's efficiency and outreach. Your leadership team is ready for the challenges we will face in the upcoming year.

My goal this year is to develop a new strategic plan with the assistance of a professional facilitator. I want to lead PCOC into the next 1, 3, and 5 years with organizational structure, modernization, efficiency, and new blood. Let our focus be result-driven outcomes that build on our recent successes. Each committee needs to have a set structure that ensures the best outcome and efficiency. For example, what we have achieved from the recent changes from one legislative committee to a separated legislative committee and a regulatory committee. We need to engage and mentor the next generation of members and leaders. Being relevant is key to a strong membership. Being transparent is vital to growth. Let’s embrace technological advancements to make participation, event and dues payments, registrations, online CEU courses and our website easier to access and to ensure that technology is meeting the needs of our members.

I am so honored to have this opportunity to serve this amazing association. I look forward to meeting and listening to the needs of our industry. We all have challenges and that is why leadership, staff and other members are only a phone call, email or text away.  It takes a village and we need every pest control company to join and get involved. California leads our nation in pest control issues and we need every voice and every membership dollar to fight the fight and keep our industry strong.  My hope is that 2023-24 will be a year of growing our pest control village and creating lifelong friends along the way.

Mary Hernandez
PCOC President

As you know, this year started with a bang, and it has only gotten more active. Due to the nature of the issues that the association is currently dealing with (and expect to have thrown at it in the future), the Executive Committee has decided to split the Regulatory and Legislative issues into two separate committees. I will be chairing the Regulatory Committee with the charge of working with DPR (the Department of Pesticide Regulation), the SPCB (the Structural Pest Control Board), and potentially CACASA (the County Commissioner Association) as well as other regulatory agencies and departments as needed. 

At the Expo in Monterey, Julie Henderson, the Director of DPR, spoke to our group about their efforts in driving pesticide users to embrace Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) by referencing an SPM Roadmap that the department has created. SPM uses Integrated Pest Management as a foundation but then works to incorporate considerations of the environmental impact of the pesticide use as well as how it impacts disadvantaged communities. This is an effort that DPR is putting energy and resources behind so this Roadmap is something that we can anticipate will be around and referenced in the future.

As mentioned in the past, DPR has proposed new regulations on Site Decontamination. These regulations potentially require pesticide applicators to have materials to rinse pesticides off their skin and out of their eyes if exposed. However, PCOC feels that the overall requirements proposed were excessive. We expressed this at the public hearing, in the written comments, and in person with DPR staff at the Expo. We were able to get a call with members of DPR who are working on this issue. We feel that the call went well, and we are still waiting for the formal response from DPR and will report back once we hear.

SPM is a topic applied to all pesticide uses, including fumigation. DPR has entered into an agreement with the California Council on Science and Technology to conduct a study on current fumigation use and assess the availability of alternatives. This is something that the association will take very seriously and will be engaging with DPR on this moving forward.

Finally, PCOC requested that the SPCB take a stance on AB 1322 (the diphacinone bill) and submit a letter of opposition. At the last board meeting, the board granted that request and will be submitting a letter of opposition to the author’s office. This was a success!

Darren Van Steenwyk
Regulatory Committee Chair
Sprague Pest Solutions
(661) 610-8725
dvansteenwyk@spraguepest.com

In the coming months, the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) will engage in a process to produce a three-year strategic plan with a professional facilitator to assist the organization to identify key focus areas over that period. As an industry organization, it is imperative that PCOC keep a keen eye on the needs of our professional pest management members and adjust to address those demands of an evolving industry in California.

Dr. Steve Swafford has worked more than 30 years within and outside of non-profit and education-focused organizations in areas of strategy, leadership, volunteer development, communication, and executive management. Steve brings a practical knowledge of strategy and executive leadership with past organizations. He is also active in California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE) and American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) leadership serving on the Board of Directors for three terms along with past Membership Committee Chair. Steve currently serves as Supporting Faculty for Pepperdine University’s Full-Time and Fully Employed MBA Programs and is an original co-founder of Leadership Outfitters, LLC.

As we explore those possibilities, the PCOC leadership should consider a plan of action that transforms the association's governmental affairs for the professional pest management industry in the Golden State. Proceeding forward, the organization can provide outreach and assistance on legislative and regulatory issues facing pest industry members at our district level. This focus can significantly expand the interaction between the Association staff and our affiliated Districts. The calls, correspondence, and actual feet on the ground can increase our local presence with each passing year. With a significant amount of the pest management industry’s legislative and regulatory activity emanating in California and migrating east, PCOC involvement with developing model lawmaking language, position statements, letters, and other background information and resources to other states will make a substantial difference in the pest management industry’s ability to address important issues and concerns across the United States and around the globe.

As PCOC’s leadership reflects on future priorities and our high-profile governmental affairs role in the country, it has me reflecting on a quote by Mark Twain that says, “You will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” The PCOC leadership stands ready to make bold decisions to help better address the challenges of the rapidly changing professional pest management industry. Without the fortitude to initiate significant structural and operational changes, PCOC would turn into a museum of what once was, but unable to address what could be.

PCOC’s new strategic plan once completed will utilize results driven outcomes rather than general activities. This modification will yield a living document that helps keep our leadership and staff continually engaged in producing results. With a dynamic strategic developed through the assistance of a professional, PCOC will put itself in position to ensure we remain a vibrant association for years to come.  

Michael E. Wilson
Chief Executive Officer
Pest Control Operators of California

All Event Information can be found at WWW.PCOC.ORG/EVENTS

I would like to express my gratitude to the association for actively participating in addressing the proposed regulations on Site Decontamination (specifically, the eye wash issue) in response to DPR. Our collective efforts in voicing our concerns have been acknowledged. PCOC has also submitted a comprehensive letter outlining various points and objections along with their reasoning. DPR will now be required to address all the feedback received. It is anticipated that DPR will respond to the group-submitted form letter collectively, while also addressing the detailed letter point by point. As this process will take some time, we are uncertain about the timeline for the next steps. Furthermore, the nature of these next steps depends on DPR's response to the issues raised.

In addition to our involvement in the response to DPR on the Decontamination Site regulations, PCOC is actively monitoring and opposing several bills that are currently progressing through the legislature. These bills are being driven by environmental activist groups with the aim of regulating pesticide use in urban areas. Here are the bills that have been under our watch:

AB 363 (Bauer-Kahan): Neonic re-evaluation: This bill mandates DPR to complete its re-evaluation by the end of this year and develop mitigation strategies for problematic use patterns by mid-2024. However, the timelines outlined in this bill pose a significant challenge and are unrealistic. Based on history and what we know about the re-evaluation process, DPR will not be able to meet these deadlines which may result in non-compliance or hasty decisions without proper scientific backing.

AB 652 (Lee): Environmental Justice Advisory Committee for DPR: This bill proposes the establishment of an advisory committee to provide input and recommendations to the department, ensuring the protection of all groups potentially affected by pesticide exposure. The scope of potential reach of this group to influence DPR is one that we do not know.

AB 1322 (Friedman): Second Generation Anti-Coagulant and Diphacinone: This bill introduces an additional definition of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and mandates its adherence before the use of Second Generation Anti-Coagulants (SGAR) or diphacinone. It also calls for the re-evaluation of diphacinone to assess exposure pathways and sublethal effects, as well as the establishment of a 10% detection rate on representative species before lifting the re-evaluation status. DPR has already proposed re-evaluation of diphacinone for different reasons, just the timing is what it is.

PCOC is maintaining communication with DPR regarding these bills. We disagree with these bills primarily because they contradict the Governor's veto message on AB 2146 from last year, which emphasized that all pesticide-related matters should be handled by DPR rather than through legislative processes. We will continue our active opposition to these bills and make every effort to safeguard our interests. If necessary, we will mobilize the association through a Voter Voice campaign on any or all of these bills, reaching out to our membership for support.

Jim Steed
PCOC Legislative Committee Chair
Neighborly Pest Management
(916) 782-3767
jim@neighborlypest.com

Objective: To highlight safety guidelines for the use of cell phones or other connected electronic devices while driving

Operating a motor vehicle safely requires concentration, focus, and awareness of constantly changing surroundings. Electronic devices such as cell phones and tablets can take your focus away from the road and increase the risk of accidents. On average, a driver is four times more likely to be in an accident when using an electronic device.

State Laws Regarding Cell Phones

California has passed laws that prohibit hand-held cell phone usage while driving. Please be sure you understand these laws.

Guidelines         

A comprehensive policy regarding the use of electronic devices should be included in your organization’s fleet safety program, and it should include the following minimum guidelines:

• Familiarize yourself with the device’s controls: Know how to program your speed dial and use the speakerphone, voice activation, and redial features, as well as other safety functions.
• Have someone else make calls: If passengers are present, allow them to make and answer calls for you.
• Use a hands-free device with your phone: Hands-free accessories are available for most devices, and many vehicles include built-in hands-free systems. If using these systems, connect them before starting to drive. However, please note that your attention will still be impaired.
• Never text or type when driving: Texting or typing while driving takes your eyes off the road as well as your hands off the wheel.
• Pull over if you cannot wait: If you must make or answer a call, text, or email, pull your vehicle over to a safe and legal location off of the road before doing so.

For more information or help, contact the Insurance professionals of EPIC’s PCOC Insurance Program.

Kathleen Marquez, Field Supervisor from Pest Solutions Termite & Pest Control in South Gate, CA.

The California Chapter of PWIPM is pleased to announce Kathleen Marquez as the 2023 Woman of Excellence Grant winner.

Kathleen has been active in the pest control industry for 10 years. She is based in the greater Los Angeles area and holds both a branch 2/3 field representative license. She will be using the money to pursue her operator’s license which requires a board approved training course prior to testing.

This is an annual $500.00 grant that is given by the CA PWIPM which is a committee of the Pest Control Operators of California.

For more information on our events and how to get involved please visit:
https://pcoc.org/about-pcoc/professional-women-in-pest-management-pwipm

A second notice of our Renewal Notices went out this month. If you wish to pay by credit card, please call the office at 916-372-4363. And if wish to pay by check, please mail a copy of the invoice and a check to our NEW office located at:

1510 J St, Ste 230
Sacramento, CA 95814

And remember, with your membership to PCOC, you have access to a host of special benefits designed to help support your business. As a part of your membership, you have access to the following:

• Insurance – Health and Worker’s Compensation, General Liability, Commercial Auto, and more
• Online Directory – As a member your Company will be listed on the PCOC website online public directory (IF DUES ARE PAID BY July 31st)
• Free online continuing education. *Courses are accredited by the California Structural Pest Control Board.
• Discounted rate at all in-person and virtual PCOC educational events.
• PCOC Member Value Program – Access to high quality products and services with discounts that non-PCOC members do not have access to.
• Discounted rate on ChemTrec (Chemical Transporation type coverage that is required by CalOSHA)
• Publications – Monthly Newsletter, Quarterly Magazine, and Directory.
• And much more!

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