Posted by: RJ the Fire Dog Blogger | May 14, 2013

This week’s theme for Building Safety Month — Disaster Safety & Mitigation

家族で自主防災In last week’s RJWestmore Training System blog, we discussed the public awareness campaign offered by the International Code Council (ICC) each year to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create and sustain safe and sustainable structures. Celebrated every May, Building Safety Month reinforces the need for industry professionals to adopt modern, model building codes, a strong and efficient system of code enforcement and a well-trained, professional workforce. I also discussed the importance of making sure your canine’s doghouse is in good shape. Since this week’s theme is Disaster Safety and Mitigation, it’s worthwhile to continue the discussion.

No matter where you live and work, you and everyone in your family and circle of friends, professional colleagues and pets are at risk from natural disasters. Thankfully, there is also some good news. Despite the devastation created by now infamous recent earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires give us pause; we are not powerless against these forces. When we learn from mistakes and take steps to prepare as well as help make sure other people learn how to prepare, respond and react, we can share in the miracle of human resilience. People can survive and communities can endure disasters. And they do so because of actions taken beforehand—with purpose, to make structures stronger and people and pets safer.

To make sure your family, friends, colleagues, tenants and pets are prepared for any natural disaster; follow these steps provided by FLASH (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes):

 

  • Develop a family disaster plan that includes a list of food and water supplies needed for each member of your family and supplies for your pets. I suggest plenty of bacon for everyone to munch on during a disaster of any kind. Bacon makes everything better.
  • Make copies of important documents like insurance policies, the deed to your home, and other personal papers, important phone numbers and a home inventory. Don’t forget about your pet’s records!
  • Create a checklist of important things to do before, during and after a disaster. One of those should be to walk the dog. Just a suggestion…
  • Review your evacuation route and emergency shelter locations with your family. Options for evacuation should include either staying with friends and relatives, seeking commercial lodging, or staying in a mass care facility operated by disaster relief groups in conjunction with local authorities.
  • Taking shelter is critical in times of disaster. Sheltering in place is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, place of employment, or wherever you are when disaster strikes.

For its part, the ICC has prepared a free downloadable PDF packet with 10 Tips to Remember for Disaster Safety & Mitigation. For details, click the link. Here is a summary:

 

  1. Develop a Family Action Plan.
  2. Create a Disaster Supply Kit.
  3. Stay tuned to Radio or TV news.
  4. Never attempt to cross a flowing stream. I’ve seen dogs rescue people who pull this kind of stunt. Scary stuff. Stay on the shore where it’s safe, people!
  5. In high wind or hurricane-prone areas, make sure windows and shutters are code-compliant.
  6. Secure lawn furniture and any loose outdoor items.
  7. If you live in an affected area, build or retrofit a tornado-safe room.
  8. Use surge protectors in home and offices.
  9. In wildfire prone areas, clear debris within 30 feet of the exterior of any structure.
  10. Before winter, insulate exposed water pipes outside of buildings.

When it comes to protecting your place of business, particularly if it is located in a high rise, the most important step you can take is to make sure your tenants are prepared. The RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services helps commercial buildings with compliance to fire life safety codes. Our interactive, building-specific e-learning training system motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s).

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Posted in Building Evacuation, Disaster Preparedness, Earthquakes, Fire Safety, High-Rise Buildings, Hurricanes | Tags: ,

Posted by: RJ the Fire Dog Blogger | May 7, 2013

Happy Building Safety Month

the house and rescue

Founded by the International Code Council (ICC), Building Safety Month (BSM) is celebrated during the month of May. So: Happy Building Safety Month from all of us at RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services!

A public awareness campaign offered each year to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create and sustain safe and sustainable structures, Building Safety Month was created to reinforce the important need for industry professionals to adopt modern, model building codes, a strong and efficient system of code enforcement and a well-trained, professional workforce. I’m not sure if my doghouse was built to code.

Building codes are important safeguards designed to protect citizens from avoidable tragedies like fires, weather-related events and structural collapse. Model building codes are arguably the best way to protect homes, offices, and schools, manufacturing facilities, stores and entertainment venues. Sounds like a good idea to me!

Overseeing the introduction and implementation of such codes, the International Code Council is made up of a diverse group of professionals from industries including construction, design and safety. Corporations, government agencies, professional associations and nonprofit organizations support the annual May campaign in order to highlight the need for safe and sustainable structures where each of us live, work and play.

The ICC and its 50,000 worldwide members have made significant advances relative to the safe construction of building homes, apartment buildings, office structures and high rises—making sure that every new building is sustainable, affordable and resilient. I’m pretty sure my doghouse isn’t sustainable. On a hot day, I can smell toxic tar melting. This year’s theme is “Building Safety Month: Code Officials Keep You Safe.”

Throughout May, mini-themes will focus on particular areas of importance:

Week One / May 6-12, 2013
Fire Safety and Awareness (This theme holds a special place in my firedog heart.)

Week Two / May 13-19, 2013
Disaster Safety and Mitigation

Week Three / May 20-26, 2013
Backyard and Pool Safety

Week Four / May 27-31, 2013
Energy and Green Building

If you’d like to actively participate in BSM, there are a host of resources at your disposal; courtesy of the ICC. Resources include strategies on how to set up a Building Safety Month event, a fill-in-the-blank press release, a sample proclamation, kid’s activity pages, stickers, brochures, pencils and more. I wonder why they don’t give away dog bones. Just a suggestion…

Some resources are available for free download and others may be purchased from the ICC Store.

Here are some more ideas for active participation in Building Safety Month:

  1. Promote Building Safety Month in your community.
  2. Promote BSM through your Chapter activities.
  3. Set up an information booth at your city hall or a place of business such as a local hardware store.
  4. Visit a school and give a presentation about building safety.
  5. Post local information on your website.
  6. Send a news release to newspapers, and radio and television stations.
  7. Encourage local media to cover Building Safety Month activities.
  8. Send public service announcements to local radio and television stations.
  9. Public information officers, city managers, or mayors could also arrange to appear on a talk/community information show through local television or radio stations.
  10. Donate bacon to your local firehouse for the Dalmatian on duty. (I can guarantee you he or she will love it!)

If you’re about to embark on construction of a new building or home, try to remember that building codes are not arbitrarily established to make your life difficult. They are designed to keep you and everyone who visits your structure safe and sound.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. The RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services is an interactive, building-specific e-learning training system which motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s). Choosing our service cuts property management training related workloads by 90% and saves you over 50% compared to conventional training! More importantly, IT SAVES LIVES!

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Posted in Building Evacuation, Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Evacuations, Fire Life Safety Training, Fire Safety, Going Green, High-Rise Buildings, Safety at Home, Workplace Safety | Tags: , ,

Posted by: RJ the Fire Dog Blogger | April 30, 2013

May is National Stroke Awareness Month

Be aware: Time pressure and stress can be fatal

National Stroke Awareness Month has been observed each May since 1989 to increase public awareness about strokes. Unlike many other diseases, stroke is often treatable if caught early. And since one person in the U.S. suffers from a stroke every 40 seconds, awareness is critical to prevention and successful treatment.

At the RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services, we are all about educating people to prepare for and recover from manmade and natural disasters. So we take pride in posting about strokes to help educate our training system subscribers, associates and friends. And for our animal loving friends—LifeLineScreening.com reports that dogs can have strokes, too. In both humans and dogs, there are two types of stroke:

  • Ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blocked artery prevents blood from reaching the brain.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when blood vessels in the brain start to leak and blood pools around and in the brain.

Spearheading the annual official educational movement is the National Stroke Association, which sponsors campaigns such as the Faces of StrokeTM. Designing easily accessible tools and resources, the association raises awareness about the signs and symptoms strokes, which are the second leading cause of death in the world, responsible for 4.4 million (or 9 percent) of the total number of deaths each year. I wonder why they don’t have the Paws of Stroke for dogs?

Don’t make the crucial mistake of ignoring the information—thinking it won’t happen to you. Virtually everyone, including children, is potentially at risk, as strokes strike regardless of age, race or gender. Stroke can affect the senses, speech, behavior, thoughts, memory and emotions.

The five most common symptoms of stroke are:

  1.     Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg.
  2. Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others.
  3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  4. Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance or coordination.
  5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Signs of a stroke are always sudden. If symptoms come on suddenly but then quickly dissipate, the stroke might actually be classified as a “mini-stroke,” or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). TIAs do not cause permanent damage but can be a warning sign that a full stroke may be on the horizon.

The chances of having a stroke increase given certain risk factors. According to the Mayo Clinic, these are the most common risk factors:

  • High blood pressure—the risk of stroke begins to increase at blood pressure readings higher than 120/80
  • Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
  • High cholesterol—a total cholesterol level above 200
  • Diabetes
  • Being overweight or obese (Even dogs can be obese. Believe me—I’ve seen some hefty ones.)
  • Physical inactivity (I’m all for upping the ante on this one. I’m always up for a run!)
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or abnormal heart rhythm
  • Use of some birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen
  • Heavy or binge drinking
  • Use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines
  • Personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or TIA
  • Being age 55 or older
  • Race — African-Americans are more likely to have strokes than people of other races
  • Gender — Men have a higher risk of stroke than women. Women are usually older when they experience strokes. But they are more likely to die of strokes than men.

The good news is that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented. The CDC has come up with an easy way to remember how to guard against the likelihood of stroke—remembering your ABCs:

Appropriate Aspirin therapy
Blood pressure control
Cholesterol management:
Smoking cessation: Get help at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Other helpful stroke-prevention habits include:

  •     Exercise regularly. (Again…walk anyone?)
  •     Eat a healthy diet that’s low in sodium.
  •     Maintain a healthy weight. (I guess that means I should cut back on the bacon.)
  •     Prevent or control diabetes.
  •     Limit alcohol intake (fewer than two drinks per day for men, or one drink per day for women).

If you or someone you are with appears to be experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of a stroke, do not delay. Call 911 right away! Minutes matter. Getting treatment as soon as possible after a stroke can help prevent permanent brain damage.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. The RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services is an interactive, building-specific e-learning training system which motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s). Choosing our service cuts property management training related workloads by 90% and saves you over 50% compared to conventional training! More importantly, IT SAVES LIVES!

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Posted in Disaster Preparedness, Health & Welfare, Safety at Home, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , ,

Posted by: RJ the Fire Dog Blogger | April 23, 2013

Safety Considerations about Earth Day

Eco EarthKTLA News ran a story on Earth Day 2013 about the risks associated with recycling car seats. Dogs don’t require car seats. But I’ve seen a few canines use them, which is utterly embarrassing, if you ask me. Although ecological experts recommend taking steps to reuse whatever, whenever and wherever possible to protect the earth’s natural resources, there are several instances when safety concerns should reshape the desire to save Planet Earth. It’s great to reuse, restore and recycle. But make sure you recycle instead of reusing whenever safety is a concern. Here are a few items that require special attention for safe recycling:

Car Seats— a Wisconsin EMS Specialist Kathy Bruckbauer describes car seat recycling guidelines like this: “The older car seats tend to crack and break, making them unsafe for your children. If the car seat is over six years old, has been recalled by the manufacturer, has ever been in a crash, or has missing or broken parts, you should just recycle it and not use it.”

In Los Angeles County, 130,000 babies are born each year. And according to facts provided by The Dog Rescuers, eight million dogs and cats enter shelters in the U.S. each year. KTLA Reporter Gayle Anderson reports that a large number of old child safety seats are thrown away, when they should instead be recycled.  Recycling child safety seats will help protect the environment and keep large amounts of potentially toxic plastic chemicals out of local landfills.

Thanks to the Child Safety Seat Recycling Project, organized by SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A., the Pomona Police Department, and TMC Horizon Inc. Recycling Center in Pomona, LA County residents can recycle old, damaged, or expired child safety seats, which may not provide the best protection to children during a crash and therefore, need to be destroyed rather than reused.

Batteries—common household batteries, such as AAs, AAAs, Cs, Ds and 9-volts are not thought to pose as great a threat to properly equipped modern landfills as they once were, thanks in part to the fact they contain far less mercury than their predecessors. As a result, most municipalities recommend throwing the batteries away with your trash.

Nevertheless, environmentally-minded consumers might feel better recycling such batteries, since trace amounts of mercury and other potentially toxic materials in each and every battery, no matter the mindset of the manufacturer. Some hazardous waste centers accept batteries which they send to be processed and recycled. Call your local trash collection center to find out if they take batteries. Or you can mail your old batteries to be recycled by Battery Solutions. Although I don’t eat old batteries, I’ve heard of some dogs and cats licking the acid off of old batteries at the dump. And that’s a really bad idea.

Light Bulbs—a story in the Los Angeles Times pointed out that light bulbs cannot be placed in standard recycling bins for curbside pickup. Incandescent bulbs, however, can be tossed into the trash bins, while fluorescent, compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are considered household hazardous waste because they contain mercury or other hazardous materials, and must be taken to a disposal facility or S.A.F.E. Center because they may contain mercury and/or other hazardous materials. Again, not great for eating whether you’re a human or a dog.

To find out where you can safely dispose of light bulbs in your area, contact the waste management facility in your town.

Most important is buying cost effective recycling bulbs in the future. If you’re unfamiliar with newer bulb models, the lighting aisle at your local home improvement store can be a bit intimidating at first. Which bulb is the most cost effective? Which works better? And most importantly, which will save the most energy? For a quick tutorial about environmentally-friendly bulbs, check out this simple tutorial on the EnergyStar.gov website. I just use natural light in my doghouse. It’s cost effective and energy efficient!

Overall, when it comes to recycling anything, make sure that safety is your number one priority. When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. The RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services is an interactive, building-specific e-learning training system which motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s). Choosing our service cuts property management training related workloads by 90% and saves you over 50% compared to conventional training! More importantly, IT SAVES LIVES!

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Posted in BE SAFE, Disaster Preparedness | Tags: , ,

Posted by: RJ the Fire Dog Blogger | April 16, 2013

Following the Boston Marathon Bombings–How to Prepare for a Terrorist Attack

Boston, Massachusetts skyline city silhouette


Our thoughts & prayers go out to all of the victims and families of those affected by the Boston bombings. Out of respect for them, this post foregoes my usual Fire-dog isms.

 

It’s hard to believe our nation is once again dealing with the aftermath of what many (including the White House) consider to be another terrorist attack—a multiple-blast bombing near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Though details continue to come in and will undoubtedly shed light on the nature and background of these bombings, what is currently certain is the fact that three people (including an eight-year-old boy) were killed and at least 176 were injured on Monday, April 15, 2013 in Boston.

Of the April 15 event, White House Rep Michael McCaul spoke to Fox News where he called for national unity and repeated the sentiments of President Obama:

“Today, we are not Democrats or Republicans. We are all Americans united against terrorism. Some evidence found at the crime scene, including ball bearings, were signs of well-planned terrorist action. We don’t know who’s behind it at this time and we don’t have all the evidence.”

Unexpected disasters like this have the potential to make Americans nervous about the likelihood of future incidents and their potential impact. But there are things you can proactively do to prepare for the unexpected and thereby reduce the stress associated with the terrorism. In fact, taking preparatory action can actually reassure you and your family, coworkers and tenants that you have a measure of control in the face of future emergencies.

Intelligence and law enforcement agencies reveal that dozens of terrorist plots which focused on commercial buildings have been thwarted over the past several years. As seen in a recent attempt in New York City, the actions of diligent civilians can also prevent catastrophe. Also, common sense and surveillance procedures increase awareness about things that “just don’t look right.”

The RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services has devoted considerable blog space over the years to topics relative to preparation and recovery of terrorist attacks. But it seems fitting we should highlight this topic yet again today, since the Boston attack occurred on the day citizens of Massachusetts observe Patriot’s Day, which honors patriots from the Battles of Lexington and Concord—the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.

One of the RJWestmore Training System video courses covers steps to take in the event of a bomb threat. If you have not yet signed up for our system, consider subscribing today, as you and your team will have access to detailed training with videos and quizzes, maps, manuals and plans, forms, lists and guidelines, home and family preparedness, emergency info, active shooter instructions, active shooter videos, area-specific training and applicable area tornado preparedness.

Make your building a less attractive terrorism target:

  • In July 2006, a plot by suicide bombers in the NYC commuter rail was revealed by law enforcement personnel, who stated that the conspirator had already obtained detailed blueprints of the rail tunnels prior to the attack. Secure building blueprints which can be used to establish weak points for entering or destroying the structure. Limit the blueprints availability online and train your property managers to follow proper procedures for releasing building information.
  • Pay special attention to tenants who work with or produce materials that could be used to make explosive devices and those that work in aviation-related fields or construction-related companies. For example, Canadian officials recently investigated an individual who purchased a large quantity of manure that is sometimes used to make fertilizer-based bombs. Work with tenants to ensure they follow safety and securing procedures, for both their intellectual and physical properties.
  • A fundamental way to prevent terrorist attacks is to properly report suspicious activity to stop attacks in the planning stages. In the RJ Westmore, Inc. surveillance blog, we talked about identifying suspicious activities but did not explore how to gather and report that activity to law enforcement.

For more about preparation and recovery from any terrorist attack, see RJWestmore How to prepare for acts of terrorism posts.

The best way to combat the dangers of distracted driving is to opt out of the practice even before the law requires it. After all, when a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. The RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services is an interactive, building-specific e-learning training system which motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s). Choosing our service cuts property management training related workloads by 90% and saves you over 50% compared to conventional training! More importantly, IT SAVES LIVES!

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Posted in Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Evacuations, Health & Welfare, Terrorism | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: RJ the Fire Dog Blogger | April 8, 2013

Do you drive while you’re distracted?

Texting While DrivingAccording to the recent Safety In Numbers newsletter released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at any given moment during the day in America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating some sort of electronic device while driving a motor vehicle. Most of them are probably “tweeting” me. In 2011, this dangerous practice has resulted in 3,300 deaths and 387,000 injuries. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDT) marks April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, to call attention to the dangers of distracted driving. It’s time for drivers to put down their cell phones, electronic devices and other distractions such as food and drinks.

According to the NHTSA, while driving:

  • 1 in 2 drivers answers calls
  • 1 in 4 drivers place calls
  • 3 in 5 young drivers answer calls
  • 1 in 3 young drivers place calls
  • 2 in 5 young drivers were observed manipulating a handheld device

The U.S. Dept of Transportation reports that “Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to cause injuries. Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind. That doesn’t sound very safe.

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said, “Many drivers do see distracted driving as risky when other drivers do it, but don’t recognize how their own driving deteriorates. We all think we’re the exception. We think, ‘It’s dangerous for others, but I can handle texting or talking on a handheld cell phone without jeopardizing my safety or the safety of others.’”

The bottom line is that the only way to safely drive is to concentrate. So avoid all of these distractions while driving:

  • reaching for a moving object inside the vehicle
  • looking at an object or event outside of the vehicle
  • reading
  • eating
  • applying makeup
  • making gourmet steak dinners (If I drove, it’s what I would want to do)

BE SAFE. If you absolutely have to answer or place a phone call while you’re driving, use a hands-free device or pull over to the side of the road. And don’t minimize the dangers of routines like eating or applying makeup while you’re behind the wheel. No matter the cause, distracted driving exacts a tremendous cost from a wide range of people and their pets.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) notes that driving requires constant and complex coordination between mind and body. Eating bacon requires the same thing. They categorize distractions as anything that undermines a driver’s visual, cognitive and/or manual concentration. To determine whether or not an activity is too distracting to do while driving, consider whether it takes your: eyes off the road (visual) mind off the road (cognitive)  and hands off the steering wheel (manual).

The California Driver’s Handbook also includes cabin navigation as a potential distraction: “Making destination entries on an in-vehicle navigation system, radio surfing for a good song, or adjusting your vehicle’s climate controls are distracting activities that can put you in danger of a vehicle crash or near-crash. The availability of in-vehicle Internet and e-mail access from cell phones, blackberries, and other portable devices are added distractions that increase your risk of a crash if you engage in these activities while driving.”

  • Adjust climate controls, mirrors, radio, seats, etc. before you start to drive.
  • Check email, voicemail, and any other portable devices you have before you begin driving.
  • Take advantage of normal stops to adjust controls but not to text or email.
  • Ask your passenger to adjust the radio, climate control, navigation system, etc. for you.
  • Eat bacon before you leave the house. And when you get back home. And while you’re gone…just not while you’re driving.

To combat the problem, many states are enacting laws—such as banning texting while driving, or using graduated driver licensing systems for teen drivers. In 2009, President Obama issued an executive order prohibiting federal employees from texting while driving for government business or with government equipment. And in October 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacted a ban that prohibits commercial vehicle drivers from texting while driving.

The best way to combat the dangers of distracted driving is to opt out of the practice even before the law requires it. After all, when a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives.  The RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services is an interactive, building-specific e-learning training system which motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s). Choosing our service cuts property management training related workloads by 90% and saves you over 50% compared to conventional training! More importantly, IT SAVES LIVES!

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Posted in Disaster Preparedness, Travel, Uncategorized | Tags: , ,

Posted by: RJ the Fire Dog Blogger | April 2, 2013

Southwest U.S. Sees Increase in Cases of Valley Fever

Valley Fever FiredogA fungal respiratory infection known as Valley Fever has dramatically increased in several southwestern states according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC reports that the total number of confirmed cases in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah is 22,000. Sounds to me like something that could affect coyotes.

Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) is caused by inhaling a fungus called Coccidioides, which lives in the soil in the southwestern United States. That sounds pretty gross. It makes me wonder if it’s a good idea to dig in the dirt. Although not everyone who is exposed to the fungus will get sick, those who do succumb typically experience flu-like symptoms that can linger for weeks or even months. And more than 40 percent of patients who get ill from Valley Fever may require hospitalization at some point, at an average cost of nearly $50,000 per hospital visit.

A CDC spokesman said that Valley Fever is causing significant health problems for many people living in the southwestern United States because fungus particles spread through the air. Although it is difficult to avoid exposure to Coccidioides, people who are at higher risk should try to avoid breathing in large amounts of dust if they are in endemic areas. The CDC is releasing information about the disease to alert individuals who live in or have traveled to the southwest United States. I live and travel in the United States. But I’m not sure how to avoid breathing outside air in the Southwest.

The recent increase in cases of Valley Fever could be related to changes in weather, which potentially impact where the fungus grows as well as how much of it circulates. More research is necessary in order to understand why the number of reported cases of Valley Fever has increased. Between 1998 and 2011, Arizona and California had average increases in Valley Fever incidence of 16 and 13 percent per year, respectively. The CDC has provided grants to these two states to study Valley Fever. I wish I could locate a grant for studying the effects of bacon on canines. I can’t find anyone to fund it.

During this time period:

  • Nearly 112,000 cases of Valley Fever were reported from 28 states and Washington, D.C.
  • Sixty-six percent of cases were in Arizona.
  • Thirty-one percent were in California.
  • One percent was recorded in Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
  • Approximately one percent was made up of cases from all of other states combined.
  • None of the cases had to do with bacon.

“It’s difficult to say what’s causing the increase,” said Benjamin J. Park, M.D., chief epidemiologist with CDC’s Mycotic Diseases Branch. “This is a serious and costly disease and more research is needed to reduce its effects.”

The common symptoms of Valley Fever are very similar to those associated with the flu or pneumonia:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Rash on upper trunk or extremities
  • Muscle aches
  • Joint pain in the knees or ankles

Symptoms of advanced coccidioidomycosis include:

  • Skin lesions
  • Chronic pneumonia
  • Meningitis
  • Bone or joint infection

 

A lab test is the only way to determine whether or not any given illness is actually Valley Fever. Also of note…not everyone who gets Valley Fever needs treatment. For most people, in fact, the infection will go away on its own. That’s good news. More at risk are people who develop severe infections or chronic pneumonia. People at risk for the more severe forms of the disease are the young, old and infirm. For these groups, early diagnosis and treatment is important.

In many cases, treatment for coccidioidomycosis is not necessary, as symptoms can spontaneously resolve. Nevertheless, many healthcare providers prescribe antifungal medications, such as Fluconazole, to prevent a more severe infection from developing. It is especially important for people at risk for severe disease, such as those infected with HIV or who have weakened immune systems, to receive treatment as quickly as possible. If you suspect you may have Valley Fever, see your healthcare practitioner.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives.  The RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services is an interactive, building-specific e-learning training system which motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s). Choosing our service cuts property management training related workloads by 90% and saves you over 50% compared to conventional training! More importantly, IT SAVES LIVES!

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Posted in BE SAFE, Disaster Preparedness, epidemics, Health & Welfare, Vaccinations | Tags: , ,

Posted by: RJ the Fire Dog Blogger | March 26, 2013

Norovirus Jeopardizes Health of Children & the Elderly

Norovirus IllAccording to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among children less than five year of age (who seek medical care) is an illness called Norovirus. The alert was announced following a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), which showed the illness is responsible for nearly one million documented pediatric medical care visits between 2009 and 2010 in the United States. All told, the illness costs hundreds of millions of dollars in treatment each year.

Dr. Daniel Payne, an epidemiologist in the Division of Viral Diseases at the CDC said, “Infants and young children are very susceptible to Norovirus infections, which often result in a high risk of getting dehydrated from the sudden onset of intense vomiting and severe diarrhea. Our study estimates that 1 in 278 U.S. children will be hospitalized for Norovirus illness by the time they turn 5 years of age. It is also estimated that about 1 in 14 children will visit an emergency room and 1 in 6 will receive outpatient care for Norovirus infections.” This Norovirus sounds like a horrible illness. I’m glad the folks at the CDC have a handle on it.

Originally called the Norwalk virus after the town of Norwalk, Ohio, the location of the first confirmed outbreak in 1972, Norovirus is defined by The Mayo Clinic as a virus which includes: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and cramps, watery or loose stools, weight loss, malaise and low-grade fever. The incubation period is usually 24 to 48 hours after first exposure to the virus, and signs and symptoms usually last one to three days. However, it is worth noting that some people with the infection may show no signs or symptoms but will remain contagious and may unwittingly spread the virus to others. If you suspect you may have the virus, seek medical attention if you develop diarrhea that doesn’t abate within several days or if you experience severe vomiting, bloody stools, abdominal pain or dehydration.

NorovirusDisease

The NEJM study determined that Norovirus was:

  • Detected in 21 percent (278) of the 1,295 cases of acute gastroenteritis
  • Rotavirus was identified in only 12 percent (152) of the cases.
  • About 50 percent of the medical care visits due to Norovirus infections were among children aged 6 to 18 months.
  • Infants and 1-year-old children were more likely to be hospitalized than older children.
  • Overall rates of Norovirus in emergency rooms and outpatient offices were 20 to 40 times higher than hospitalization rates.
  • Nationally, the researchers estimated that in 2009 and 2010, there were 14,000 hospitalizations, 281,000 emergency room visits, and 627,000 outpatient visits due to Norovirus illness in children less than 5 years of age.
  • Together, hospital visits amounted to an estimated $273 million in treatment costs each year.

“Our study confirmed that medical visits for rotavirus illness have decreased,” said Dr. Payne. “Also, (it) reinforces the success of the U.S. rotavirus vaccination program and also emphasizes the value of specific interventions to protect against Norovirus illness.” There is currently no formal treatment protocol for Norovirus, other than bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Most people recover between 24 hours to 48 hours. A Norovirus vaccine is reportedly in development.  I am not usually a proponent of injections. But, in this case, it seems like a good idea…maybe as important as my rabies booster.

Unfortunately, Norovirus does not target children alone. Senior citizens and those with compromised immune systems are more prone to contracting the highly contagious infection, with more than 21 million people in the US succumbing each year. This week alone, more than 100 residents at nursing facilities in Nevada showed symptoms, and seven tested positive for Norovirus over a 41-day period.

Approximately 800 people have died so far from the disease. The virus spreads primarily through close contact with infected people, such as caring for someone who is ill and it also spreads through contaminated food, water and hard surfaces. The best ways to reduce the risk of Norovirus infection are through proper hand washing, safe food handling, and good hygiene. Is it just me or are those the same instructions the CDC gives for most illnesses? It seems like frequently washing my paws is an all-around great idea. For more information about Norovirus, visit CDC website at www.cdc.gov/Norovirus.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives.  The RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services is an interactive, building-specific e-learning training system which motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s). Choosing our service cuts property management training related workloads by 90% and saves you over 50% compared to conventional training! More importantly, IT SAVES LIVES!

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Posted in Disaster Preparedness, epidemics, Health & Welfare, Uncategorized, Vaccinations | Tags: , ,

Posted by: RJ the Fire Dog Blogger | March 20, 2013

4 Great Ways to Celebrate American Red Cross Month

Stethoscope and First Aid KitAt RJWestmore by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services, we like to give credit to organizations that are doing a good job helping people prepare and/or recover from natural and manmade disasters. Since the American Red Cross is just such an organization, we take pride in honoring their work now because March is Red Cross Month. In communities across the country and around the globe, the Red Cross is providing support to help people. One of the Red Cross programs I’m partial to is called Animal Assisted Therapy.

Created by Clara Barton in 1881, the American Red Cross was officially chartered by Congress in 1900 to provide national and international relief during disasters, and to give relief to the military and serve as a means of communication between members of the Armed Forces and their families. From the start, people in the United States have volunteered and donated funds to support the Red Cross’ mission to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Way to go, Red Cross!

Red Cross CorpThe first ever Red Cross Month was proclaimed in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a way to encourage fundraising efforts for needs brought on by World War II. Since that time, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month.

Today, the American Red Cross:

  • Responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year.
  • Provides shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. The Animal Assisted Therapy is one great example of this. Dogs are especially great at providing a shoulder to cry on.
  • Offers 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families (in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world).
  • Collects and distributes more than 40 percent of this country’s blood supply. That’s a lot of blood. I try not to think about it or I start getting dizzy.
  • Trains more than 9 million people across the United States in first aid, water safety and other skills each year.

Not a government agency, the Red Cross relies solely on donations of time, money and blood in order to mobilize to provide life-changing and often lifesaving services down the street, across the country and around the world. There are four primary ways that volunteers can further the work of the Red Cross:

  1. Donate money. A gift of any size supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross whether it’s responding to a disaster, collecting lifesaving blood, teaching skills that can save a life, or assisting military members and their families. And I hear that any amount is appreciated. That’s good news for those of us with limited funds.
  2. Give blood and/or platelets. Since platelets have a shelf-life of just five days, it is imperative that there are enough platelets on hand to meet the needs of hospital patients across the country. And since the Keebler® elves and the American Red Cross are partnering to recognize acts of kindness with a delicious treat, when you give blood, you’ll get a Keebler® cookie. I’d prefer a slice of bacon. But I could make a cookie work too.
  3. Volunteer your time in person or online. The Red Cross looks for people with various backgrounds, talents and skill levels. Needs are often specific, based on current events and levels of necessary ground support.
  • Take Part in Disaster Relief
  • Support and/or Sponsor Local Blood Drives
  • Lead a Group of Volunteers

4. Raise funds.

  • Conduct a Workplace Giving Campaign
  • Create an Online Fundraiser
  • Donate a Percentage of Sales
  • Fundraise through an Auction
  • Fundraise through a Telethon or Radio-thon
  • Collect Consumer Donations
  • Organize functions for Groups, Schools and Individuals (I think one great idea would be a Red Cross walk-with-your-pet-a-thon. Just a suggestion.)

Through a strong network of volunteers, donors and partners, The American Red Cross aspires to turn compassion into action so that all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope; communities are ready and prepared for disasters; everyone in the country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products; all members of the armed services and their families can find support and comfort whenever needed; and in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.

We at RJWestmore by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services offer congratulations to the Red Cross for 132 years successfully promoting disaster preparation and recovery across the world! When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives.  Our interactive, building-specific e-learning training system motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s). Choosing our service cuts property management training related workloads by 90% and saves you over 50% compared to conventional training! More importantly, IT SAVES LIVES!

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Posted by: RJ the Fire Dog Blogger | March 12, 2013

Disaster Preparation and Recovery for People with Special Needs

nurse helps a senior woman on crutchesSince 56 million Americans are classified as having disabilities, this means that 20% of the United States’ population has special needs when it comes to disaster preparation and recovery. To strategize about ways and means to help this group, an advisory committee for the disabled met earlier this month at Fort Lee in New Jersey to discuss emergency preparedness for those members of the community with special needs.

On the heels of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the meeting was held as an outreach campaign to solicit input and ideas on how to encourage community participation and involvement in preparedness for emergencies at the local level, and how first responders can effectively assist those with disabilities. I’d like to organize an outreach campaign to teach people how to donate bacon to fire-fighting Dalmatians.

With representatives they referred to as “Prepresentatives,” the group was made up of officials from fire, law enforcement, the medical community, as well as facilities’ and emergency management. Don’t mock them for coming up with this name. It’s pretty catchy, if you think about it. The goal for the gathering was to provide guidance, tools, methods and strategies to integrate and coordinate emergency management in order to adequately plan and provide for individuals with access and functional needs, and those with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Many people with disabilities are identified as such because they are registered with various agencies or receive specialized services. Of those, approximately 15,000 people with disabilities in Virginia, alone do not have access to a phone or television. In an emergency situation, it would be difficult to reach these people let alone know where they are located or how to go about safely and swiftly evacuating them or providing them with life support systems. One program I really believe in is service animals, since we can help people with disabilities evacuate when need be.

To address these concerns and more, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) in New Jersey has created Register Ready, which is a voluntary web-based registry program that allows residents with special needs and their families, friends and associates an easily-accessible avenue for providing information for emergency responders.

Registering is the first step in preparing for an emergency situation. Unfortunately, the New Jersey OEM reports that, thus far, only 82 residents have registered for the program. Math isn’t my strong suit. But that number seems really low. This is unfortunate, as first responders need to be prepared to assist in all situations—especially during a severe weather event, such as Sandy, where people had to be evacuated from their apartments and homes. If first responders have critical information prior to being called to the scene, they can best deal with the situation.

Fort Lee Fire Chief Mark Sulcov explained that it is important for people with disabilities and their caregivers to “forward think” and plan ahead to prepare for emergencies and disasters before they happen. “If there is advance warning that severe weather is coming, a plan should be in place whereby those with disabilities self-evacuate to a safe location with family or friends if they can.”

New Jersey administrators are far from alone. In fact, FEMA and the American Red Cross encourage everyone to be prepared for three days in case of an emergency.  But officials agree that, in emergency situations, a municipality’s resources will likely be stretched—with those needing assistance often exceeding available resources. Also, in some situations, it is dangerous for emergency personnel to be on the streets. For example, during the height of Sandy, emergency services throughout the county were ordered off the road because weather conditions were so dangerous. So planning for these contingencies is extremely important.

To do our part, the RJWestmore Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services features a special notification system so that disabled tenants in buildings serviced by our training system can privately register, so emergency personnel are alerted to their location and special needs before arriving on the scene. The notification system is just one of the many ways the RJWestmore Training System helps commercial buildings with compliance to fire life safety codes. You’ve got to hand it to the folks at RJWestmore/Universal. They really want to save lives!

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives.  Our interactive, building-specific e-learning training system motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s). Choosing our service cuts property management training related workloads by 90% and saves you over 50% compared to conventional training! More importantly, IT SAVES LIVES!

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Posted in Building Evacuation, Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Evacuations, Health & Welfare, High-Rise Buildings | Tags: ,

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