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Distinguished Speaker Series: Colin Harris
June 4, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Ocean Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series, presented by the Nicholas Endowment, brings interesting innovations, real-world research, exotic experiences, and delightful discoveries to the surface through powerful presentations from an ocean of experts. Speakers present on a variety of topics ranging from ocean researchers, ocean authors, ocean artists, and ocean athletes.
Light snacks & Refreshments available for purchase at event.
Distinguished Speaker: Colin Harris and First Responder Panel
During this panel discussion, first responders from public safety agencies that protect Dana Point Harbor, the land behind it, and the open ocean beyond it, will educate the audience about how our local waters are protected. The panel will include members from Orange County Sheriff Harbor Patrol, Orange County Fire Authority, and Long Beach Fire Department. The discussion will be led by Colin Harris who is assigned to one of the largest and most advanced fire boats in the world which is based in the Port of Long Beach. Colin will deliver a presentation about the regional hazards and challenges surrounding Dana Point Harbor as well as the specialized tools, training, and resources used to meet those challenges. The discussion will include specifics about Search and Rescue methods, the utilization of aircraft, recovery of people and property lost at sea, chemical and radiological responses, boat fires, and the use of SONAR with submersible remotely operated vehicles. Attendees can also expect to receive information on the fastest ways to get help should they find themselves in trouble on or near the ocean. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session where attendees can have access to the representatives from the three presenting agencies.
Wednesday, June 4, from 6:00 to 8:00
Doors open at 5:30pm, talk begins at 6:00pm
$10 – General
FREE – Members
FREE – Students (with Valid ID)
About Our Speakers
Host: Colin Harris
OCFA – The Orange County Fire Authority is a regional fire service agency that serves 23 cities in Orange County and all unincorporated areas. The OCFA protects nearly 2 million residents from its 78 fire stations located throughout Orange County. The OCFA, founded in 1995, is a premier public safety agency providing superior fire protection and medical emergency services to our communities.
OCSD – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) is the primary law enforcement agency serving unincorporated areas of Orange County, California, and also provides law enforcement services to 13 contract cities within the county. Additionally, OCSD serves the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and John Wayne Airport, and operates Orange County’s Harbor Patrol.
LBFD – The Long Beach Fire Department operates two large fireboats that protect the Port of Long Beach and the surrounding coastal waters. The Long Beach Fireboats along with Los Angeles City Fire Department Boat 2 provide the only large capacity marine firefighting capabilities between the US/Mexico border and Seattle. The United States Coast Guard Sector LA/LB staff partner with Long Beach Fire Department personnel to plan, prepare, and train for emergencies from the Orange County/San Diego county border to California’s central coast. The Long Beach Fireboats also have emergency response capabilities that include sub surface SONAR, submersible remotely operated search vehicles, thermal imaging search tools, and chemical or radiological detection.
