Utilizing Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts for Help with 9-1-1 Public Education

Beth English and Girl Scout Lauren Alexander

Have you ever considered utilizing Girl Scouts or Boys Scouts to help with your public education efforts? As many people know, for Girl Scouts to earn their Gold Award and Boy Scouts to earn their Eagle Scout Award, they have to do a big project that gives back to the community.

Recently, Beth English, the Director of Communications for the City of Rowlett, Texas, was able to utilize a Girl Scout to help with a public education initiative. Here’s her story!

“It was a stroke of pure luck, actually! I was going through her mother, who is a Proforma franchisee, to order stuff for the Texas NENA booth,” Beth said. “I asked her about printing up some business cards for Smart911, and it was while we were talking about this, that her mother told me about the Gold Award and that it would be a good project for her to work on.”

Beth met with the Girl Scout, Lauren Alexander, and they discussed exactly what Beth is doing with Smart911. Lauren then sat with Beth in the Communications office so she could see how the calls come in, what the challenges are, and how they process the medical calls.

“We discussed our timeline as far as when I will get to implement Smart911 and when her project is due,” Beth said. “We also batted around some ideas for different groups she could spread the message to, different media types she could use, and others that she could contact for help.”

Lauren put all the information about her project with 9-1-1 into a report for the Girl Scout board for them to approve. Once they gave approval, Lauren got to work right away with Beth on her Gold Award project.

The project will take a while to complete, but so far, Lauren has already established relationships with various organizations in order to have sign up sheets for Smart911 at their business locations. Lauren is also working on getting donations set up to fund any printing paperwork she may need to help spread the word. She is also working on getting businesses to donate food items for events where the Smart911 information can be shared.

Beth promises that once Lauren has completed the project, she will update us on the successes and benefits of this collaboration so please stay tuned!

Celebrate Independence Day with Safety in Mind

The 4^th of July marks Independence Day, a time when the nation celebrates its freedom! With so many celebrations going on, it comes as no surprise that the amount of fires goes up. Fires usually start due to fireworks combined with lots of heat and dry weather. While we hope everyone celebrates this special holiday with lots of enthusiasm, we also hope that everyone practices safety first.

Here are a few tips and guidelines to remember when celebrating the Fourth of July:

o   Know where your fire extinguisher is and keep it close if you will be using fireworks. (Note: In most cities, they do not allow you to set off fireworks in the city limits so please remember to obey laws at all times.)

o   Have close access to your water hose in case a fire erupts and the extinguisher cannot stop the fire on its own.

o   If a fire does get out of hand, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 for help.

o   If you have pets, please keep them inside on this day and evening. Fireworks can be very scary for pets and spook them badly.

o   If you choose to play with fireworks, make sure when you throw away the remains that they are free of heat and fire. This will eliminate chances of the trash igniting in flames.

o   Keep fireworks out of children’s reach or hands. Fireworks should only be handled by adults to protect children from accidentally harming themselves.

o   Never attempt to make your own fireworks.

o   Never set off fireworks inside.

o   When setting off fireworks, make sure not to aim them toward anyone. They should always be aimed away from where people are standing.

 

We all know fireworks are meant to be enjoyed so please enjoy all the beautiful designs and colors and sounds that they create. All that we ask is that you think safety first to ensure you and your family have a wonderful Independence Day! Happy 4^th!

Summertime Safety

It’s that time of year again! Kids are out of school for summer, pools are open and outside activities are prevalent all around town. While summertime is a fantastic time to enjoy the outdoors, it is important to also stay safe and protect yourself.

Check out some tips below to make sure your family stays healthy and happy this summer!

Watch Out for Mosquitoes and other Bugs

Warm temperatures tend to attract bugs that can make you quite itchy! From mosquitoes to ticks to even fleas, these bugs can be quite the nuisance. Not only can they be a nuisance, but they can also carry diseases such as the West Nile Virus or Lyme disease.

To help prevent bites from these pesky bugs, make sure to wear insect and tick repellent. It is always a good idea to use repellent that contains DEET. Make sure to cover yourself properly with repellent where any skin might be exposed.

If you do happen to get bit by a mosquito, apply anti-itch cream to help reduce the itchiness of the bite. (Because the more you mess with it, the more it will itch!)

Protect Yourself from the Harsh Summer Sun

The sun puts out the strongest rays during midday, so if you can, please try to avoid being outdoors during this time (12pm-2pm). If you do go outdoors make sure to pile on the sunscreen! You should always be wearing at least SPF 15 but we recommend wearing SPF 30 for the upmost protection.

If you go into the water or stay out in the sun for more than a couple hours at a time, make sure to continuously reapply sunscreen to protect your body from sunburns. Sunburns hurt and can also cause skin cancer. If you do happen to get burned, make sure to apply aloe vera to help the burn heal.

Other ways you can protect your skin? Cover up with light clothing, wear hats or visors and spend more time under a tree in the shade!

Keep Hydrated

The summer months can have you feeling more dehydrated than usual. Keep your body hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day. If you spend more time outdoors, then it is especially important that you drink lots of water before you go outside and while you are outside.

For more summer safety tips for kids, check out the CDC website here: http://www.cdc.gov/features/KidsSafety/.

Remember, if you find yourself in an emergency situation, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1.

Check out these tips from the Los Angeles Fire Department:

 

You Can Never Be Too Prepared! #HurricanePrep2014

May 25-31, 2014 marks Hurricane Preparedness Week and highlights the importance of planning and being prepared when disaster strikes. Being prepared for this natural disaster is vitally important for protecting your family and home.

Starting June 1^st, we will embark on hurricane season which continues through the end of November. Hurricanes can be incredibly destructive and wipe out entire towns and cities. While these natural disasters can be extremely scary, being prepared for them will help you feel more safe and ready to tackle the storm.

One of the first things you should do with your family is build an emergency preparedness kit and make a family plan. A previous blog post shares excellent tips and tools for preparing your family. You can find the blog here:  http://cellphonesally.blogspot.com/2013/09/national-preparedness-month-good-time.html.

Once you have your emergency kit ready, focus on tackling these issues prior to a hurricane heading your way:

v  Identify levees and dams in your area to make sure that they do not pose a hazard to you and your property.

v  Cover all your home’s windows with permanent storm shutters or board up windows with plywood that is cut to fit.

v  Always keep trees and shrubs trimmed down so they are more wind resistant and do not hang over your roof.

v  Make sure to clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

v  Reinforce doors as well as your garage door.

v  Install a generator for if you lose power.

v  If you live in a high-rise building, make plans to get shelter on a lower floor.

v  Bring in outdoor furniture, decorations and garbage cans to avoid having them fly away.

v  If you are in an area that gets hurricanes more often, it might be a good idea to build a safe room.

 

Hurricanes not only cause strong high winds, but they also cause heavy rains and flooding. By following these tips and tools, your family will be prepared for when disaster strikes. As they say, you can never be too prepared! For more information, please visit http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php. If you ever find yourself in an emergency, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1.

It’s National EMS Week!

This week marks National Emergency Medical Services Week (May 18^th-24^th, 2014). President Gerald Ford first declared this week National EMS Week in 1974. During this time we take the time to honor and celebrate all the amazing individuals who serve as EMS practitioners!

EMS for Children Day 2014

During this week, on Wednesday, we also celebrate National EMS Children Day. This year marks the 30-year celebration of the program and it is a great time to focus on raising public awareness about the need for specialized emergency care for children. When it comes to emergency care for children, it is important to handle it differently than an adult emergency. This includes physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

By bringing awareness to this topic, EMS hopes to start a national quality improvement initiative. For more information on EMS week and various activities going on, please visit http://www.ems.gov. To learn more about EMS for Children, visit http://emscnrc.org/Events/EMSC_Day.aspx.

Celebrate Our Fallen Heroes during National Police Week

This week, May 11-17, marks National Police Week. In 1962, President Kennedy signed a proclamation which authorized May 15^th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which the 15^th falls as National Police Week.

This time each year, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world come together in Washington D.C. to participate in various events through the week to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Being a police officer is sometimes a thankless job. These individuals work tirelessly to keep our communities safe day end and day out. Their commitment to justice is incredibly appreciated by the community, so please take the time to appreciate the police in your community.

For information on events going on this week in honor of National Police Week, please visit http://www.policeweek.org/schedule.html.

May Marks National Family Wellness Month

May is the time to celebrate National Family Wellness Month, when summer is around the corner and schedules become packed with outside activities and fun. This month serves as time to focus on healthy family lifestyles and habits. By working to make our own families healthier, we are really working on contributing to a healthier community for the future overall!

Here are some tips and ways to celebrate family wellness this month. What are you waiting for? Get out there and have some FUN!

Visit a Park: An easy and cheap way to have fun with the family involves heading to the park. Head to your local park (If you live in Texas, here is a link to find the closest part to you: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/) and enjoy a hike, play on the playground, take a swim, fly a kite, or ride a bike! There are so many great wellness activities that can happen at a park so pack a picnic and head outdoors.

Plan a Family Game Night: Taking time to enjoy games with the family is a great way to interact with loved ones. Pull out some old fashion board games such as Monopoly, Pictionary, or Sorry. Have a Wii? Try playing some Wii Fit games or other family games that bring out a little fun competition. Whatever you decide, the main point is to enjoy playing with your family because that is what boosts overall wellness.

 

Build a Garden: An excellent way to improve wellness is by planting a garden with your family. Whether you choose to plant a veggie or a flower garden, the results are still the same. The time you spend creating and putting love into the garden is what will improve the overall wellness of your family. Plus, you have an awesome garden to show off!

Make a Scrapbook: For the kids, school is coming to an end and summer is beginning. Now is the perfect time to put together a scrapbook! Have each family member create a few pages each for the scrapbook. The scrapbook can include pictures, stories and visuals that explain different parts of family life. Have fun bonding over memories and seeing everyone’s contributions to the scrapbook!

Set a Goal: Have each family member set a long-term and short-term goal. They can be well-thought out or very simple. The important part is setting a goal and sticking to it. Need to exercise more? Have the family take a bi-weekly walk in the evening. Want to eat healthier? Have a goal where the family all pitches in on creating at least one meal a week together. Make it fun for both kids and adults.

Whatever activities you decide to do, the main goal here is to improve the overall health and wellness of your family. So get out there and celebrate life and all it has to offer you!