- Celebrate Everyday Heroes; Support Whole Community Preparedness-
SEATTLE—National Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day life saving of emergency medicine’s “front line.” Observances run 15-21 May, with 18 May set aside as Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Day.
This year’s theme is Everyday Heroes, and according to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, it’s all about celebrating EMS providers—first responders, hospitals, emergency physicians and public health providers, and engaging the Whole Community in reducing risk and saving lives.
“Our nation’s EMS providers do an incredible job, often risking their own lives to save ours. But they can’t do it all alone. National EMS Week offers an opportunity to celebrate this nation’s first responders, while sounding a clarion call for all of us to help them help us,” said Murphy.
“Planning for disasters means that we must plan for the Whole Community, including people of different ages and those with access and functional needs. It means planning for children, planning for the elderly, and planning for families without access to personal transportation. It means meeting our first responders more than half way when the chips are down.”
Tips to help be better prepared for emergencies, and enhance access to help during disasters include:
• Check on your access to 9-1-1. Some areas may not have 9-1-1.
Some have E-9-1-1 where an address is automatically stored in a data base.
Know what is available where you live and work.
• Build a “72 hour Disaster Kit” make a disaster plan, and keep a well-stocked
First Aid Kit.
• Make a list of emergency phone numbers. Write down the numbers you need in
your disaster plan and display them near all telephones in the house.
• Make sure your house number is visible from the street. Make it easier for
police, fire officials or emergency medical personnel to find your house.
Put large house numbers in a highly visible area. Make sure the numbers are
well-lit and can be seen at night.
• Keep a clear and up-to-date record of immunizations. This can help doctors
do a better job of diagnosing problems in an emergency.
• Write down medical conditions, medications and dosages. Being prepared in
advance helps assure proper treatment and prevent drug interactions.
• Make a list of allergies and reactions, and consider medical I.D. bracelets
or tags.
• Take first-aid classes. A basic class will teach CPR and proper ways to
treat burns, wrap sprains, apply splints, and perform the Heimlich maneuver.
FEMA’s Resolve to be Ready in 2011 campaign promotes Whole Community involvement in disaster preparedness. “Become involved in programs that strengthen your community’s disaster resilience. Investigate training and volunteer opportunities available through the American Red Cross, Citizen Corps or Community Emergency Response Teams,” continued Murphy. “No matter how busy or hectic our daily routine, we all need to take the time to take positive action to prepare ourselves, our loved ones and our communities in the event of severe weather, earthquake—or any other major disaster.”
Resolve to be Ready in 2011 is led by FEMA’s Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and The Advertising Council. Individuals with medical skills who would like to volunteer in a disaster should see the Medical Reserve Corps Program webpage at www.medicalreservecorps.gov. For more information on National EMS Week observances, visit: http://www.acep.org/emsweek/ . For more information on the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, visit www.fema.gov, Ready.gov and CitizenCorps.gov.
Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. Social media links are provided for reference only. FEMA does not endorse non-government websites, companies or applications.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Showing posts with label first aid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first aid. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Celebrate Red Cross Month in March
Governor Ted Kulongoski has proclaimed March as Red Cross Month in Oregon, joining President Barack Obama in a tradition upheld by every U.S. President dating back to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943. See Oregon's 2010 Red Cross Month proclamation at www.oregonredcross.org/proclamation.
"The American Red Cross is there when people need us most. During March, we thank those whose support enables us to continue our work," said Maree Wacker, Regional Executive for the American Red Cross in Oregon. "Their generosity helps us continue to serve those who need us every day – whether they are down the street, across the country or around the world."
The American Red Cross is part of the world's largest humanitarian network – 97 million volunteers helping in 186 countries. In this country, the Red Cross helps change lives seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Last year in Oregon:
* 600 families relied on the Oregon Red Cross for immediate help after a disaster.
* 2,200 military families received assistance with emergency communications from the Oregon Red Cross.
* 6,500 Oregonians give their time to make their communities safer by volunteering for the American Red Cross.
* 74,000 Oregonians gave life-saving blood through the American Red Cross.
* 122,000 Oregonians learned life-saving skills through the American Red Cross.
The help of the American Red Cross extends around the world to those in need. In just a little over a month since the earthquake devastated Haiti, the Red Cross has helped more than one million people in the region. Relief efforts include providing clean water and sanitation, food and relief supplies, and health care. It will take many years for the people of Haiti to recover and the American Red Cross will work in close coordination with other organizations to support longer-term assistance projects.
March is a great time for people to get involved with the American Red Cross – to give blood, take training in CPR and first aid, volunteer or give a financial gift to help when the next disaster strikes. Contact the Oregon Trail Chapter at 503-284-1234 or visit http://www.oregonredcross.org/ to find out how you can get involved.
"The American Red Cross is there when people need us most. During March, we thank those whose support enables us to continue our work," said Maree Wacker, Regional Executive for the American Red Cross in Oregon. "Their generosity helps us continue to serve those who need us every day – whether they are down the street, across the country or around the world."
The American Red Cross is part of the world's largest humanitarian network – 97 million volunteers helping in 186 countries. In this country, the Red Cross helps change lives seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Last year in Oregon:
* 600 families relied on the Oregon Red Cross for immediate help after a disaster.
* 2,200 military families received assistance with emergency communications from the Oregon Red Cross.
* 6,500 Oregonians give their time to make their communities safer by volunteering for the American Red Cross.
* 74,000 Oregonians gave life-saving blood through the American Red Cross.
* 122,000 Oregonians learned life-saving skills through the American Red Cross.
The help of the American Red Cross extends around the world to those in need. In just a little over a month since the earthquake devastated Haiti, the Red Cross has helped more than one million people in the region. Relief efforts include providing clean water and sanitation, food and relief supplies, and health care. It will take many years for the people of Haiti to recover and the American Red Cross will work in close coordination with other organizations to support longer-term assistance projects.
March is a great time for people to get involved with the American Red Cross – to give blood, take training in CPR and first aid, volunteer or give a financial gift to help when the next disaster strikes. Contact the Oregon Trail Chapter at 503-284-1234 or visit http://www.oregonredcross.org/ to find out how you can get involved.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Have a kit ready for support in aftermath of a disaster
May 6, 2009
What would you do for first 72 hours after an emergency?
We received an interesting phone call a few weeks ago following the column on what to do if you are at the beach and you feel an earthquake.
In the column I asked you to think through your initial reaction: what you would or would not do, where you would go, etc.
My goal in these scenarios is to get you to think and perhaps discuss with your families some basic behaviors that may keep you alive immediately following an event. Studies have shown that when we are scared our brains may shut down, especially if it is something we have never experienced or thought about before.
During the initial phase of an emergency, you will be responsible for yourself and your family. It could take hours or even weeks for emergency responders to get to you.
Local government emergency management agencies, fire fighters, police, hospitals, utilities, road crews and many more local folks will begin doing their jobs as quickly as possible but will also have families that experienced the disaster.
Instructions will be given over radio, TV and alarm systems when available. Shelters may be established, food and water provided and people directed to evacuation routes.
However, we must all be prepared to care for ourselves for at least 72 hours in case these first responders cannot get to us. It is our responsibility to have a 72-hour emergency kit that includes the basics of water, food, medicine, sanitary needs, radio, flashlight, and clothes, among other items.
A complete list of recommended items is posted on the Oregon Emergency Management Blog http://oem-oregon.blogspot.com/2009/04/72-i-do-do-you.html. I have a 72-hour kit in my trunk, do you? Look over the list of items and if you have any questions or suggestions to add to your emergency kit, let us talk about it in the comments below.
What would you do for first 72 hours after an emergency?
We received an interesting phone call a few weeks ago following the column on what to do if you are at the beach and you feel an earthquake.
In the column I asked you to think through your initial reaction: what you would or would not do, where you would go, etc.
My goal in these scenarios is to get you to think and perhaps discuss with your families some basic behaviors that may keep you alive immediately following an event. Studies have shown that when we are scared our brains may shut down, especially if it is something we have never experienced or thought about before.
During the initial phase of an emergency, you will be responsible for yourself and your family. It could take hours or even weeks for emergency responders to get to you.
Local government emergency management agencies, fire fighters, police, hospitals, utilities, road crews and many more local folks will begin doing their jobs as quickly as possible but will also have families that experienced the disaster.
Instructions will be given over radio, TV and alarm systems when available. Shelters may be established, food and water provided and people directed to evacuation routes.
However, we must all be prepared to care for ourselves for at least 72 hours in case these first responders cannot get to us. It is our responsibility to have a 72-hour emergency kit that includes the basics of water, food, medicine, sanitary needs, radio, flashlight, and clothes, among other items.
A complete list of recommended items is posted on the Oregon Emergency Management Blog http://oem-oregon.blogspot.com/2009/04/72-i-do-do-you.html. I have a 72-hour kit in my trunk, do you? Look over the list of items and if you have any questions or suggestions to add to your emergency kit, let us talk about it in the comments below.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of FEMA, is the Public Affairs Coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294 or jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Additional Facts - good kits can be found at several businesses - one good web site is www.quakedog.com/emergencykits72
Please send questions about emergency preparedness to be answered in this column to jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Other information may be found at www.oregon. gov/omd/oem or www.fema.gov.
Please send questions about emergency preparedness to be answered in this column to jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Other information may be found at www.oregon. gov/omd/oem or www.fema.gov.
Monday, April 20, 2009
72 - I DO, DO YOU?
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic 72 hour emergency Kit:
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First aid kit.
Whistle to signal for help.
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).
Local maps.
Dont' forget your pets!
Additional items to consider:
Prescription medication and glasses.
Infant formula and diapers.
Pet food and extra water for your pet.
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
Cash or traverler's checks and change.
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
Complete change of clothing.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. You can also use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Exinguisher
Mateches in a waterproof container.
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels.
Paper and pencil.
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First aid kit.
Whistle to signal for help.
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).
Local maps.
Dont' forget your pets!
Additional items to consider:
Prescription medication and glasses.
Infant formula and diapers.
Pet food and extra water for your pet.
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
Cash or traverler's checks and change.
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
Complete change of clothing.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. You can also use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Exinguisher
Mateches in a waterproof container.
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels.
Paper and pencil.
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
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