Airex Training

          Emergency responders throughout San Diego County participated in an anti-terrorism exercise required by the Federal Aviation Administration on October 26. The training, evecuted every three years, was conducted at the Naval Training Center near Lindberg Field. A number of fire agencies and ambulance providers, including Rural/Metro Ambulance, were thrown into a mass casualty drill aimed to prepare crews should a catastrophe occur at Lindberg. With more than 80 ambulances dispatching daily, Rural/Metro was an integral part of the simulation. 

     This year’s exercise revolved around an aircraft incident in which more than 80 victims were in an aircraft that was unable to stop and ended up in the waterway at the west end of the runway at Lindberg Field. All victims, which of course were healthy volunteers, had a wide variety of injuries from fatalities, impaled objects, amputations, burns and jet fuel contamination. More than 67 victims were simulated as being rescued from the waterway by buoys placed in the water prior to the start of the exercise. These victims were triaged, treated and transported by the participating agencies.

            Rural/Metro is proud to be the county’s largest ambulance provider, and we are always prepared and at-the-ready for worst-case scenarios.

Snap Shot of the Week: Rasselbande Pre-School Safety Fair

     Local safety officials, including Rural/Metro's Ryan Levinson, participated in Rasselbande Pre-School's Safety Fair last week. Levinson is shown below teaching the children about the importance of calling 911. Ambulance tours and equipment demonstrations were also provided to show the kids what they may encounter should they ever use 911 services. You're never too young to start learning about safety!

Safety Preparedness 101

As the federal government declares September "National Disaster Preparedness Month", we must ask, are you prepared?

     Last Thursday's power outage was quite the ordeal and while traffic may have seemed like the biggest nuisance, our major issues may have actually been waiting for us at home. With most businesses shut down, many of us found ourselves at home scrambling for food and safety supplies. To help protect yourself and your family, Rural/Metro highly recommends that everyone should have a personal 72-hour emergency supply kit. 

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply 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

-       Cell phone with chargers

Some additional items to consider adding include prescription medication and glasses, infant formula and diapers, pet food and extra water for your pet, weather appropriate clothing, important documents, matches, and activities for children. 

Don’t wait until disaster strikes to realize the benefits of a good emergency preparedness kit. Begin gathering the items you will need and develop an emergency preparedness plan with all family members.

For more information about National Preparedness Month or for a more extensive list, visit: www.ready.gov

Snap Shot of the Week: Rural/Metro Remembers 9/11

     Sept. 11, 2001 was a day that has branded our generation and affected all of us, but it was especially poignant for emergency responders in NYC and around the country.

     As we approach the anniversary of 9/11 we remember and honor the firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel who lost their lives during the attacks and also give thanks to the first responders who continue to risk their lives to protect their communities.

     Rural/Metro Ambulance was involved in the rescue efforts in NYC on 9/11; dispatching 28 ambulances and 85 paramedics and EMT's to ground zero. Our personnel worked around the clock to do whatever they could to help the injured, and for that, we thank you.

     Rural/Metro operations will be doing a nationwide tribute to honor 9/11 by doing a radio call-out over our ambulance dispatch communication system at the exact times that the towers fell, the plane hit the pentagon and Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania.

     We want all our personnel as well as the nation to know we will never forget, and we will always honor our emergency responders for what they do every day. We know the rest of San Diego and the nation will be paying tribute to 9/11 in the coming days, so we encourage all to please say thanks if you see someone in uniform this week!

     To learn more about our 9/11 radio call-out, please visit:  http://www.ruralmetrosandiego.com/

Serving the Public

The life of a public servant is challenging and demanding, but most in the industry will tell you there are few things more rewarding than helping the community.

In addition to saving lives, Rural/Metro Ambulance nurtures the culture of community service among our paramedics and EMTs. Today, the Rural/Metro supervisor team comprised of around 12 people worked with Feeding America San Diego to help feed the city’s underprivileged children. They are participating in the “Backpack Program” which is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. Our supervisors are organizing nutritious and easy-to-prepare meals that will be given to children on Friday to help meet their nutritional needs through the weekend.

Rural/Metro will be recruiting its leadership team as well as paramedics, EMTs and other support staff to volunteer for Feeding America San Diego on a monthly basis. For more information on the Backpack Program and how you can get involved with Feeding America San Diego, Please visit http://feedingamericasd.org/.

 

Snapshot of the Week

M67 providing medical standby for this year's Comic Convention at the San Diego Convention Center.

Safety Tip Tuesday: Fun in the Sun

Summer is here and while enjoying the outdoors may be on everyone's mind, safety must come first!
San Diego is known for it's beautiful weather and high temperatures often drive residence to the beach, but before you step out, check out these tips to ensure a safe day in the sun:

• Stay Hydrated: Our paramedics and EMT's see many cases of dehydration throughout the summer months. This can cause serious health problems for many people, especially children and the elderly. Carry water or juice with you, and remember to intake fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies.
• Dress for the Heat: Wear a hat, and breathable, moisture-wicking, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy.
• Slow Down: If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest parts of the day, generally before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m.

Also, be aware of the common problems associated with heat and dehydration and how to treat them:

• Heat Cramps: Painful spasms usually in the muscles of legs and abdomen. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue water.
• Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Once inside, the person should lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Offer sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue water. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.
• Heat Stroke: High body temperature (106° F or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. First Aid: Heat stroke is a sever medical emergency. Call 911 immediately. White waiting for emergency assistance, move the victim to a cooler environment Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.

Follow these tips and educate yourself on the risks of sun and heat exposure. If you would like to know more information on safety and how to prepare for emergencies, visit our website at http://www.sdmse.com/.

Stay Safe!