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RustyBradshaw
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Posted: Mon May 18th, 2009 11:12 pm |
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Editor’s note: Copied below is a story from the Sun City Independent. You can post your opinions by clicking on “Reply.”
Lifesaving technique classes set
Sun City Fire District
preparing 2009-10 budget
By Rusty Bradshaw
Independent Newspapers
Sun City Fire District and Adultcare Assistance Homecare officials teamed up to provide instruction in the newest form of lifesaving techniques.
Continuous chest compression is becoming the preferred technique in lifesaving emergencies. The fire district and Adultcare will offer classes in the method, and auto external defibrillator, monthly through the remainder of the year. Training will be conducted at the Sun City Fire District administrative office, 18602 N. 99th Ave.
Classes are free and are scheduled June 10 and 24, July 8 and 22, Aug. 12 and 26, Sept. 9 and 23, Oct. 14 and 28, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9, according to Ken Rice, Sun City Fire assistance fire marshal.
Class participants will receive a certificate of completion, a wallet-size ID certificate and a T-shirt.
Karen Wellert, Adultcare owner, said the partnership with the fire district for the classes is a natural fit.
“They are trying to do educational services with the community and that is why we are partnering with them,” she said.
This is not the first time the two entities have joined forces. The fire district and Adultcare have worked together to offer fall risk and safety presentations in homes.
“We want to be a resource in the community to help solve problems,” Ms. Wellert said.
Teaching mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is not part of the continuous chest compression classes offered by the fire district and Adultcare. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is still used, especially in drowning or other respiratory distress cases, according to Mr. Rice.
“But we encourage the use of chest compression in cases when it is known the victim has been out for a while,” he explained.
The chest compression method is very effective, according to Mr. Rice. It also has a higher participation rate in emergencies.
“People are more willing to jump in with the chest compressions because there is not as much risk of communicable disease as there is the CPR, including mouth to mouth,” Mr. Rice said.
Fire officials feted two retiring administrators during a reception following the May 19 regular district board meeting. Jim Sebert is retiring as chief and Steve Morrow is retiring as assistant chief and fire marshal. Jim Haner will assume the chief’s duties June 1 and Mr. Rice will become the fire marshal. Mr. Sebert and Mr. Morrow were instrumental in establishing the Sun City Fire District 20 years ago.
Fire board officials considered the 2009-10 budget in its regular meeting May 19. While the board decision was not known at press time, Chief Jim Haner reported in the May 12 workshop meeting the district’s health insurance premium saw a slight increase but the general liability and auto coverage was virtually the same as last year.
“That should not affect the budget much because the increase was within what we had planned for,” he said.
He also reported the district’s new brush truck is now in service. The unit had not been set on any wildfire calls by May 12 although there has been one wild fire in the Tucson area already this year, Mr. Haner added.
“The West Valley (wild land fire assist) units usually got west and north first and the East Valley units go east and south,” he said.
Adultcare Assistance Homecare is also seeking nominations for its twice-annual All-Star Caregiver award. Anyone serving in a caregiver role is eligible for the award, according to Jerry Ankiewicz, Adultcare business development director.
The winning caregiver will receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and will be honored at a luncheon in his or her home. The deadline for the latest round of nominations is midnight Tuesday, June 30.
Call 623-977-2223 or visit http://www.adultcareassistance.com to make a nomination. Forms are also available at the Adultcare Assistance Homecare office, 10404 W. Coggins Drive, Suite 108, Sun City.
Post your opinions in the Public Issues Forum at http://www.newszap.com. News Editor Rusty Bradshaw can be reached at 623-445-2725 or rbradshaw@newszap.com.
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