Ventura Voices

A sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, to anyone, at any time. In this episode 19, listeners will hear a real Ventura resident survival story and learn why immediate CPR from friends, family members, or even strangers can mean the difference between life and death. Hosted by Senior Communications Specialist Emily Ayala, this episode features Ventura Fire Department EMS Program Administrator...

Go behind the scenes of one of the most critical and often unseen roles in public safety: 911 dispatchers. In this episode hosted by Senior Communications Specialist Emily Ayala, Ventura Police Senior Public Safety Dispatchers Malea Munger and Erin Burdine talk about what really happens when you call 911, how calls are prioritized, and how dispatchers keep calm while guiding people through some of...

Get to know Ventura's new Fire Chief, Kris McDonald, in this special episode hosted by City Manager Bill Ayub. Chief McDonald shares how he got his start in the fire service, what led him to Ventura, and his ideas for improved fire safety in our city. Hear his take on firefighter recruitment, mental health, mutual aid, and more! Plus, we wrap up the episode with some fun rapid-fire questions t...

In part two of the Ventura Water series, Communications Manager Jennifer Nance continues her conversation with Ventura Water General Manager Gina Dorrington. They chat about water rates and funding to support capital improvement projects and ongoing maintenance. Learn more about Ventura Water: - https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2268/Ventura-Water

Get to know more about Ventura's water and wastewater systems in this episode hosted by Communications Manager Jennifer Nance. Ventura Water's General Manager, Gina Dorrington, shares information about daily water and wastewater operations, history of our water supplies, local water sources, environmental protections, emergency responsiveness, and more! This episode offers a closer look at...

The E.P. Foster Library in downtown Ventura will temporarily close beginning March 23, 2026, for a $13 million renovation project. In this episode, Communications Specialist Taylor Pineda interviews Ventura County Library Director Nancy Schram as she shares more about the project's purpose, historical background, funding sources, and impacts on community members. She also talks about the many...

Get to know the work of Ventura’s Environmental Sustainability Division in this special episode of Ventura Voices hosted by Communications Specialist Alejandra Belalcázar. Environmental Specialists Arriana Rabago and Logan Babcock share how the division has grown from early recycling initiatives into a citywide leader in waste reduction, clean energy, and long-term climate planning. Hear about the...

Get to know Ventura’s new Chief of Police, David Dickey, in this special episode hosted by City Manager Bill Ayub. Chief Dickey shares how he got his start in law enforcement, what led him to join the Ventura Police Department, and his vision for the future of public safety in our city. Hear his take on the importance of community policing, how trust and transparency guide his leadership, and what...

In this episode of Ventura Voices , we're diving into one of Ventura’s most urgent issues—wildfire prevention. With memories of the 2017 Thomas Fire still fresh and new wildfires threatening communities across California each year, we sit down with two wildfire safety leaders to discuss how Ventura residents can prepare and protect. Ventura Fire Marshal Brett Reed and Stephen Watson, Executive Dir...

Public Information Officer Jennifer Nance sits down with Fire Chief David Endaya and Ventura Water General Manager Gina Dorrington for an insightful discussion on the intersection of fire and water and how both departments work together to protect Ventura.   In light of the recent destructive Palisades, Eaton, Hughes, and Mountain Fires, they explore the critical role of fire suppression, water in...

Deputy City Manager Brick Conners joins Communications Specialist Taylor Pineda to discuss one of our most requested topics yet—golf. Brick shares updates on multiple projects at the City's two municipal golf courses, Buenaventura and Olivas Links . Learn about the progress and challenges in rebuilding Buenaventura after severe flooding in 2023, a temporary solution for golfers this spring , a...

Communications Specialist Emily Ayala sits down with PIO Jen Buckley, Emergency Services Manager Mack Douglass, and newly promoted Fire Battalion Chief Shawn Hughes for an in-depth conversation on emergency communications in Ventura. In this episode, they dive into the importance of timely and accurate information during crises, sharing insights from recent local incidents, including the Pierpont...

Communications Specialist Emily Ayala interviews Ventura Fire Chief David Endaya as he provides an in-depth look at the structure of the Ventura Fire Department, highlights recent success stories, and discusses key initiatives to enhance community safety. Chief Endaya also shares exciting details about the upcoming build of Fire Station 7 and its importance in preparing for the future of fire resp...

Join Homeless Services Manager Leona Rollins and Ventura Police Sergeant Eric Vazquez with Communications Specialist Emily Ayala to discuss homelessness and vagrancy in Ventura. Leona highlights the decrease in local homelessness, the rise in people accepting shelter beds, and the five-year homelessness plan. Eric details the Patrol Task Force's efforts, distinguishes vagrancy from homelessnes...

City Clerk Michael MacDonald and Public Information Officer Heather Sumagaysay discuss the upcoming elections. They dive into the city's upcoming elections and the voting process. In this episode, we cover: The voting process and key dates to remember. How you can participate in boards, committee, and commission meetings. The availability of virtual City Council meetings. Spanish live two-way...

Ventura Police Traffic Corporal David Curtis joins Communications Specialist Emily Ayala to discuss electric bicycles. E-bike safety, reckless riding, and enforcement have become a significant concern for our community, and we want to address these topics head-on. In this episode, we cover the various e-bike classifications, electric motorcycle regulations, state and local laws surrounding appropr...

Join City of Ventura’s Economic Development Manager, Meredith Hart, and Marlyss Auster, President/CEO of Visit Ventura, as they sit down with Public Information Officer Heather Sumagaysay. In this episode, Meredith and Marlyss share the excitement of bringing the X Games back to Ventura for the second year in a row. They dive into the economic boost for the community, address traffic and parking c...

Meet Ventura’s Police Chief Darin Schindler, interviewed by Communications Specialist Emily Ayala. Chief Schindler reflects on his challenging first year, discussing crime statistics, habitual offenders, and vagrancy in Ventura. He introduces the Racial Identity and Profiling Act (RIPA) data dashboard (CityofVentura.ca.gov/RIPA) for enhanced transparency in policing. Gain insights into the rise of...

Meet City Manager Bill Ayub, interviewed by Public Information Officer Heather Sumagaysay. Bill shares his transition from law enforcement to city management and discusses the importance of leadership in uplifting communities and motivating employees. The conversation delves into the city council's goal-setting process, focusing on achievable objectives like exploring financial opportunities,...

Ventura Voices, a new podcast series by the City of Ventura, connects residents with the staff and leaders, making decisions for Ventura's future. Listen on the go, or watch the video version on our YouTube channel to find the latest information on what's happening in our community.