The leadership and staff just completed PCOC’s Palm Springs Board of Directors meeting and our important Committee meetings. The occasion provided the opportunity to experience a series of wonderful events. We appreciate all of those that attended December 8th and December 9th.

We especially want to thank all our sponsors at both our golf tournament and the Board of Directors Meeting and Reception. It was a good turnout, and attendees accomplished significant business over the two days, particularly the next steps on consideration of our four strategic pillars developed at PCOC’s recent Strategic Thinking Process Event held earlier in November. Those specific pillars are Member Experience, Legislative & Regulatory, Member Benefits/Business Development and Organizational Structure.

The strategic event brought together a diverse mixture of Executive leadership, District and Committee Chairs along with a group of highly respected members. The goal was for participants to have discussions that would inspire dynamic ideas and identify bold short and long-term initiatives to restore PCOC's status as the best state pest management association in the country. As we set our sights on the beginning of a new year, we look forward to working with each one of you and your colleagues in that pursuit of excellence.

Finally, we want to wish all of you a joyous and safe holiday season. PCOC’s leadership and staff look forward to a prosperous 2024 for all our members.

Mary Hernandez                                 Michael E. Wilson
PCOC President                                   PCOC CEO
mary@hernandezsewing.com               michael@pcoc.org
(805) 720-3987                                    (916) 372-4363                                     

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

We hate to think about it, but in this day and age planning around the potential consequences of a disaster will pay dividends. This quiz will help you determine if your business is ready to overcome a disaster. If you cannot answer “yes” to every question, you have work to do!

1. Could a natural or human-caused disaster cause an interruption in your normal business operations? 
2. Do you know which parts of your business must resume operations as soon as possible after a disaster? If so, have you made plans that will get these vital operations up and running quickly?
3. Do you have a plan and the supplies needed to protect your employees and property during a disaster and to take care of you until assistance arrives? 
4. Do you have a communication plan to notify clients and employees if a disaster occurs whether during or outside work hours? If so, what are your instructions? What are your expectations?
5. Have you evaluated your building’s ability to withstand a natural disaster? If yes, have you taken measures to mitigate risks?
6. Do you have vital files and IT systems backed up and accessible from a secure off site location? 
7. Could you quickly continue business operations even if you cannot use or access your place of business? How? 
8. Could you continue operations if a location your business depends on (such as a supplier, key customer or access road) is inaccessible, or if your basic services (water, electricity, etc.) are off? 
9. Have you worked with public safety agencies, local businesses and community leaders to plan for recovery if a large-scale disaster affects your community?
10. Have you consulted with an insurance broker to determine if you have the financial protection through your insurance to enable business to continue operations and fully recover after a disaster? 

If you answered “No” to any of these questions, get a disaster plan going. You will be amazed at the peace of mind you gain from having a solid plan in place.

For additional help, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program professionals of EPIC at (877) 860-7378

As the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) heads towards the end of the year, its agenda continues to be bustling with significant activities and engagements.

A notable development is the Department of Pesticide Regulation's (DPR) release of its proposed Strategic Plan for 2024-2028, outlining the agency's future direction and priorities. The PCOC has been actively involved in this process, participating in public meetings and submitting a detailed comment letter. This letter highlights PCOC's concerns regarding DPR's proposed direction and its heavy reliance on Sustainable Pest Management (SPM), a key element in DPR's future initiatives.

In response to the increasing focus on SPM, PCOC is diligently working on a position paper. This document aims to provide association members with in-depth insights into SPM, fostering an industry-centric understanding and discourse on this topic. Further discussions and elaborations on this paper are scheduled for the next PCOC Board of Directors meeting.

Another area of active involvement for PCOC is the ongoing development of regulations concerning eye wash stations (Site Decontamination) by DPR. After PCOC submitted comments over the summer highlighting the potential industry impacts of these regulations, DPR is currently reassessing both the rationale and requirements of these proposed regulations. Updates on these regulations will be communicated once they are officially published.

Legislative actions also continue to impact DPR and the pest control industry. A significant legislative development is the passing of AB 1322, which designates diphacinone (found in products like Ditrac, Wilco Gopher Getter, LiquaTox) as a Restricted Use Material. This bill aligns diphacinone with the restrictions previously applied to second-generation anticoagulants, limiting its use in residential and commercial areas such as homes, apartments, strip malls, and grocery stores.

Lastly, PCOC draws attention to specific pesticide usage regulations. According to the product labels and Surface Water Regulations by DPR, Termidor and Taurus are restricted from use during the months of November through February. Additionally, pyrethroids (e.g., Demand, Suspend, Talstar) are prohibited for use during rainfall. Compliance with these rules is critical, as enforcement is expected to be stringent in certain counties.

As PCOC continues to navigate these diverse challenges and opportunities, its commitment to proactive engagement and industry advocacy remains steadfast. Stay tuned for further updates and developments as PCOC moves forward into 2024.

Darren Van Steenwyk, M.S., BCE
Regulatory Committee Chair — PCOC
Sprague Pest Solutions, Regional Entomologist
+1 661-610-8725
dvansteenwyk@spraguepest.com

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