Volunteer firefighter forces dwindle #OKfire #AltusOK

Consider the headline and, then, ask yourself, "who will come to my fire?".

It's hard being a volunteer anything.  Everyone has a job.  The job pays the bills.

Then there's the training, the meetings, the time away from family for calls.

Do you have the desire to help?  Check out "How Do I Become A Volunteer Firefighter?"

Volunteer firefighter forces dwindle

You just read the headline again.  Will YOU respond to your neighbor's fire?  Will they respond to yours?

March is Red Cross Month @RedCross #AltusOK #OKready

Did you know that March is Red Cross month?  It is one month of the year to take the time to recognize our country’s everyday heroes who give their time to help people in need. The American Red Cross, in addition to supplying about 40 percent of our nation’s blood, also provides shelter, food and emotional support during emergencies and disasters. The Red Cross relies on the heroic efforts of its workers and volunteers to get the job done. 

Here’s 5 ways that you can become a hero for the Red Cross:

1.      Become a Red Cross volunteer.  You can be a force and lend a hand in your community.

2.      Give blood.  Help a patient going through a hard time.

3.      Take a class.  Gain information and skills to help out in an emergency.

4.      Make a plan. Get your family involved and develop a preparedness plan for emergencies.

5.      Make a financial donation. Your generosity will help those in need.

March is a great month for you to join with other heroes and become a part of the Red Cross.  More information on how you can help is available on the Red Cross website.

Thank you to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for this information.

Are you #OKready

From Darryl Madden, Director of FEMA Ready Campaign:

For many, the New Year is a time for setting goals and making new resolutions for the year to come. If you are anything like me, each year you find yourself resolving to achieve a healthier lifestyle - eating right, exercising more, losing a few pounds.

Setting personal health goals in the New Year is great, but improving overall well-being involves taking actions to be prepared. Knowing what to do in an emergency is vital to the health and safety of you and your loved ones.

This year, the Ready Campaign is challenging you to be Prepared in 2014. Start the New Year by connecting with family and friends on the importance of preparedness. Not only can the information shared potentially save a life, connecting with those you love has an added benefit. People who have strong social connections tend to be healthier and more resilient.

I know the hardest part of keeping a resolution is sustaining it after those first few weeks of the year, but you don’t have to do it all at once.

First, start by simply having the conversation: who to call, where to meet and what to pack in an emergency.

Build your family’s emergency supply kit by picking up recommended emergency items over the first month or two of the year.

Create a preparedness checklist. This should include things such as emergency phone numbers and copies of important documents, and information on how to register for programs such as the American Red Cross Safe and Well website.

Set reminders throughout the year to talk about and update your family emergency communication plan. If you have children, include them in conversations and planning activities. 

The Ready Campaign has age-appropriate tools and resources you can use to introduce disaster preparedness to them. And you can learn more about talking with kids after disasters so you’re ready to help them through tough situations.

Have pets? Make sure they are a part of your planning process. Create a pet go-bag to help keep them safe during an emergency. Find helpful tips from FEMA on how to plan for your furry friends.

Older adults often have special needs in a disaster and may depend on medications or other special requirements. If older adults are a part of your social connection, be sure to include them in your preparedness planning efforts.

Emergencies can and will happen, but being ready can minimize the impact they have on the overall well-being of you and your family.

This year, make disaster preparedness part of your New Year’s resolution. On January 1st 2014, join the Resolve To Be Ready Thunderclap to promote a message of preparedness to your social connections on New Year’s Day. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #Prepared2014 whenever you discuss family preparedness on Twitter.

N4P on the air for #OKready #Prepare2014 #ARRL

Apr 2-Apr 3, 1700Z-2030Z, N4P, Atlanta, GA, Oklahoma City-County Health Department, Southwest Utah Public Health Department, Kennehoochee Amateur Radio Club, Cobb County ARES, and National Association of County and City Health Officials, 28.365, 21.365, 14.265, 7.265. PSK and D-Star contacts planned. QSL. 

Send SASE to Andrew Roszak, NACCHO, 1100 17^th St NW, Seventh Floor, Washington, DC 20036. 

The five listed organizations have come together to enhance communications capabilities within public health agencies and healthcare coalitions through a series of webinars, a licensure class, an exam session, conference presentations and this special event, operating from the exhibit hall at the Preparedness Summit. http://nacchopreparedness.org/?p=378

For more information please contact >   Dave Cox, NB5N