April 14, 2004
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Letters to the Editor |
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Early last year a member of the legislature to see how I could include the Veterans of the Nation into emergency plans for the Nation approached me. This question intrigued me, as I looked at the issue, my first thoughts went MOS (what job did they do in service), and where are they located throughout the Nation, they were kind enough to allow me to address their March Board meeting, as a result of that meeting my office has decided to move forward with a CERT program for the Ho-Chunk Nation. Our veterans are an untapped source of strength and manpower if the Nation should ever suffer a natural or civil disaster. In times of emergency what is needed most are people who can remain calm, give and take instruction and who can work as a team. Veterans fill that need, who better do we have in the Nation. Now Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has given us the perfect tool, called Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). What is CERT? (The following is copied from the FEMA website on CERT). Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment’s notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs. If we can predict that emergency services will not meet the immediate needs following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning as in a tornado, and people will spontaneously volunteer, what can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality? Background The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The training program LAFD initiated makes good sense and furthers the process of citizens understanding their responsibility in preparing for disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their family and their neighbors. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and the National Fire Academy adopted and expanded the CERT materials believing them applicable to all hazards. The CERT course will benefit any citizen who takes it. This individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, if a community wants to supplement its response capability after a disaster, civilians can be recruited and trained as neighborhood, business, and government teams. These teams can provide immediate assistance to victims in their area, organize spontaneous volunteers who have not had the training, and collect disaster intelligence that will assist professional responders with prioritization and allocation of resources following a disaster. Training The CERT training for community groups is usually delivered in 2 ½ hour sessions, one evening a week over a 7 week period, or over a full weekend. The training will consist of the following: Sessions I, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during and after a disaster. Session II, DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION: Briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire. Session III, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART I: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques. Session IV: DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART II: Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner. Session V: LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS: Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most important, rescuer safety. Session VI: DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY AND TEAM ORGANIZATION: Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. It addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation. Session VII: COURSE REVIEW AND DISASTER SIMULATIONS: Participants review their answers from a take home examination. Finally, they practice the skills that they have learned during the previous six sessions in a disaster activity. Maintaining Involvement When participants have completed this training, it is important to keep them involved and practiced in their skills. Trainers should offer periodic refresher sessions to reinforce the basic training. CERT teams can sponsor events such as drills, picnics, neighborhood clean up, and disaster education fairs which will keep them involved and trained. Conclusion CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. The article talks about citizens, in the Ho-Chunk Nation term used is veteran, those men and women of the Ho-Chunk Nation who answer the call and have proudly served the United States of America. Who now are being asked to serve the Ho-Chunk Nation The Department of Labor through its Division of Safety has the capability to train and equip CERTs throughout the communities of the Ho-Chunk Nation. If you wish to volunteer for this service, please call 715-284-5877 and ask for Fred Camacho, Nick Flugaur, David Orzoco or Howard Swallow. We recommend community based classes of 10 to 15 students, with classes being held where the students are. |
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Thank you to the Ho-Chunk Nation Legislators |
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The RADD runners, coaches and parents would like to thank all the Legislators for their support in the Honolulu Marathon. The students who ran in the marathon have shown positive results, since competing the marathon training and actually running the 26.2 miles. Some of these youth runners have made the Honor roll and/or student of the week, chosen by teachers and staff in their school districts. This training has had a positive influence on working towards their goals in life. The kids look forward for your continued support in the future and showing respect for their Nation. Thanks again
and Pinagigi, |