If you're sick, stay home! Sounds like good advice, but how many of us actually do it? How many employers outwardly condone employees staying home if they are sick? This article from Medical News Today is specific with suggestions for Norovirus, but the lesson still makes sense...if you're sick, stay home. The point that has to be considered is that emergency responders may bring disease home with them, contribute to coworker illness, or even be unknowing partners in spreading community disease.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/130661.php
November 30, 2008
November 28, 2008
Generator Dangers
This story reminds us all of the dangers of carbon monoxide. In this situation, a generator was being used to heat and power a home and, due to improper use, created a situation of greater than 14,000 ppm of CO inside. The systemic effects of CO are underscored here as responders become overcome during the initial rescue operations.
Link to video:
http://www.clipsyndicate.com/publish/video/760452
View Video:
Link to video:
http://www.clipsyndicate.com/publish/video/760452
View Video:
November 26, 2008
Should Emergency Plans be open to the public?
I came upon this brief in Medical News Today (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126767.php) talking about communicating emergency plans to the public. It seems that not all states have been able to make their plans available upon request. There also seems to be a disconnect in the communications area...few plans have a contingency communicating with the public.
This is an important topic for many reasons, two for sure; communication and public access. Communications are a vital part of any plan. We know that a solid community response can make or break the government response. That said, we have to ensure the public knows what to do, why they have to do it, and what we're going to do as emergency responders. On an entirely different point, we need to consider that the public may want to actually read our emergency plans. I don't think that anyone in the public will take action based on what they read in some plan...I think they are more likely to take action based upon the communication they receive from emergency personnel. However, we have to acknowledge that plans should be available in some form. Obviously there are parts of our plans that should be kept private.
I'd like to hear your thoughts to this.
This is an important topic for many reasons, two for sure; communication and public access. Communications are a vital part of any plan. We know that a solid community response can make or break the government response. That said, we have to ensure the public knows what to do, why they have to do it, and what we're going to do as emergency responders. On an entirely different point, we need to consider that the public may want to actually read our emergency plans. I don't think that anyone in the public will take action based on what they read in some plan...I think they are more likely to take action based upon the communication they receive from emergency personnel. However, we have to acknowledge that plans should be available in some form. Obviously there are parts of our plans that should be kept private.
I'd like to hear your thoughts to this.
November 24, 2008
Just in time for the holidays
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, gang-related shooting at a local Mall. MSNBC is reporting (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27866465/) that a shooting in a Washington State Mall has resulted in at least two wounded.
Lets remember that this kind of attack can happen in any public venue and in any location. This is a good time to revisit (or create) your pre-incident plan to a multiple shooting or other MCI in public places such as malls and shopping centers.
Lets remember that this kind of attack can happen in any public venue and in any location. This is a good time to revisit (or create) your pre-incident plan to a multiple shooting or other MCI in public places such as malls and shopping centers.
Would you go to the Clinic at Wal Mart?
We've talked about in-store health care clinics on MJ in the recent past. These clinics are making the news again as some think these clinics, operated by Big Box stores, may be the next wave of health care solutions and relief of hospital over crowding.
MSNBC has done another story on them (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26185769/). But the question is...would you go to one?
Check out the poll on the side-bar
MSNBC has done another story on them (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26185769/). But the question is...would you go to one?
Check out the poll on the side-bar
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)