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Temecula honors CERT volunteers and recognizes lieutenant transferring to Sheriff’s professional standards
Summary
City staff highlighted nearly 6,200 CERT volunteer hours in 2025 and the Friends of the Temecula Citizen Corps’ contributions; the council and Sheriff's representatives recognized Lieutenant Vic Pearson on his transfer to the Professional Standards Bureau effective Jan. 22.
Temecula — City emergency manager Mike Alford presented the Temecula Citizen Corps (TCC) and Friends of the Temecula Citizen Corps, reporting volunteers donated 6,178.47 hours in 2025 and describing training, outreach and a youth pipeline pilot at Rancho Vista High School.
Alford said, using the IRS volunteer value of $33.80 per hour, donated labor in 2025 equates to roughly $208,832; combining 2024 and 2025 brings the recent total to about $354,000, and since the group's incorporation in 1989, volunteers have contributed nearly $1 million in service value. He promoted upcoming CERT courses (adult and teen) and a fundraising campaign called 'Beat the Blaze / Cool the Crew' to provide HVAC/cooling support for responders during extended operations.
Later in the agenda, Captain Mark Vergale delivered the public safety report for November and December 2025, noting November calls for service at about 4,987 and December at about 5,380, with priority‑1 response times improving to below seven minutes. Vergale introduced Lieutenant Vic Pearson, who the captain said will transfer to the Riverside County Sheriff's Professional Standards Bureau effective Jan. 22. Council members and city staff praised Pearson's 5½ years at the Southwest Station and his embedded role at City Hall; the council presented a certificate of recognition and gifts and invited family members to join for photos.
What happens next: Staff encouraged residents to register for upcoming CERT trainings; the city will continue monitoring public safety metrics and coordinate recognition for transitioning personnel.
