County warns residents of Excessive Heat

Attached is a press release issued by the Chester County Commissioners, County Health Department and the Department of Emergency Services warning residents of the Excessive Heat conditions for this weekend; June 29 through July 1, 2012.  http://www.chesco.org/health/lib/health/news_releases/182102.pdf

Hazard Mitigation Training Attended

Jeff Emmons from the Emergency Management Division attended two mitigation classes in the past three weeks.  The first class focused on the planning process for developing and maintaining the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The county plan is required to be updated every 5 years to include a re-evaluation of hazards as well as potential mitigation projects.   The second class was geared toward evaluating potential mitigation projects to determine if the project is cost-effective and if FEMA will accept and fund the project.

Hazard mitigation is any cost-effective action taken to eliminate or reduce the long-term risk to life and property from natural and technological hazards.  The goal of hazard mitigation is to reduce the effects of future disaster on the community as a whole.  There are a variety of potential funding sources to accomplish these mitigation projects.  FEMA is one of those potential funding sources. Projects that are approved will receive 75% of the cost from FEMA, in hopes of reducing the costs the post-disaster reimbursement costs that FEMA funds.  Some common hazard mitigation projects include buying out homes that are within the floodplain and protection of critical facilities such as water plants and hospitals.

If you have questions or want more information on hazard mitigation you can contact Jeff Emmons at jmemmons@chesco.org or call 610-344-5000.

Hot Weather Safety Tips

HOT WEATHER SAFETY TIPS

• Stay indoors in air conditioning as much as possible.

• Drink plenty of water during the day – don’t wait until you are thirsty!

• Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar.

• Limit your outdoor activity to mornings and evenings and rest often in the shade.

• Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, a hat, sunglasses and an SPF15 or higher sunscreen.

• Check on those who may be more at-risk from high temperatures like: happens when temperatures are much hotter and/or there is more humidity than normal. The following tips and links will help you and your loved ones stay safe during dangerous heat waves. Outdoor workers should drink between two and four cups of water every hour while working. o Infants and young children o People aged 65 or older o People with chronic medical conditions 　

Chester County is under a Heat Warning for the rest of the week

West Chester, PA:  The National Weather Service (NWS) advises a major excessive heat event is expected to hit Chester County beginning Wednesday, June 20, 2012.  Excessive heat will continue into Thursday, June 21, and may extend into Friday, June 22.  Maximum heat index values above 105 are possible.  Thursday will be the hottest day of the event.

Chester County is currently under a heat warning.  A heat warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur.  The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely.  It is recommended that citizens drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.  Those who do not have air conditioning should go to places that do; malls, libraries, and senior centers are a few possibilities.

Those working or spending time outside should take extra precautions.  When possible, reschedule strenuous activity to early morning or evening.  Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.  Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.  Heat stroke is an emergency – Call 9-1-1.

Also, take care of your pets.  Animals do not perspire and rely on panting, wetting down, shade, cool earth and drinking water for cooling.  Take the extra steps to take care of your pets.

To get additional weather alerts, sign up for Chester County’s emergency text alert ReadyNotifyPA – www.readynotifypa.org .  Also you can follow Chester County Department of Emergency Services on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccdes and Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccdes or our website at www.chesco.org/des.  

Muddy Angels Ride through Chester County

On May 23^rd and  24^th Chester County hosted the Muddy Angels, as the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride traveled through our region.  The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSBR) honors Emergency Medical Services personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve every day, those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty.  Those who ride are known as The Muddy Angels. 

The NEMSBR has sponsored an annual ride for several years that starts in Boston, and makes it way to the Washington D.C. area during National EMS Week.  Along the way, EMS stakeholders support the ride by providing rest stops and meals for the participants.  Organizing a ride of this nature is no small task, especially considering that there is also a simultaneous ride from Kentucky to D.C., with the two segments meeting in D.C. for a closing memorial ceremony.  The Boston ride takes a slightly different course each year, but usually includes a portion of PA.

This year’s route passed through the heart of Chester County.  Day 5’s route went from Princeton, NJ to Lionville, with an overnight stay there, and Day 6 saw the ride depart Lionville enroute to Gettysburg, PA.  More than 100 riders and their support personnel (known as Wingmen) entered Chester County just north of Valley Forge National Park on Pawlings Rd. during the unseasonably hot and humid afternoon of the 23^rd, and were greeted by a fully staffed and equipped rest stop at Valley Forge Fire Co.  Personnel from our own Field Services Division, Station 68, Station 67 EMS, Station 55 EMS, and many other EMS stakeholders from across the county welcomed the riders with shade, cold drinks, and snacks.  The restrooms and misting fans were perhaps the biggest draw though.  After s short rest and re-hydration break, the riders departed on the final leg of the day to Lionville.  However, between Valley Forge and Lionville lay the rolling hills of Chester County – by far the toughest terrain of this ride so far.  They may not look like much to the average eye, but after having 70+ miles already in the saddle for the day, the White Horse Rd. and Rt. 401 climbs were quite a challenge.  An exhausted group arrived at the hotel In Lionville that evening ready to relax.

After securing their bikes and gear, and grabbing a much needed shower, many of the riders and wingmen attended an informal Meet-N-Greet event at Uwchlan Ambulance Corps that evening.  It was an opportunity for the participants to relax and mingle with each other and members of our EMS system while enjoying some light refreshments.  The riders and wingmen came from all across the country, each with a different reason for riding.  Some were riding in honor of a specific person, and some were riding simply for the cause in general.  Regardless, they were all riding (or supporting) in an effort to increase awareness of important issues for all in EMS.

The morning of the 24^th brought light rain to the area, but it didn’t dampen the rider’s spirits.  They departed Lionville at 07:00 sharp on their “century day” (100 mile) ride to Gettysburg.  A short 5 miles into the day’s ride the Hopewell Rd. climb reminded the riders that they were still “enjoying” our rolling hills.   The riders took advantage of the first morning rest stop at Wagontown Fire Company. Again, they were cheerfully greeted by personnel from Field Services, Station 35, Station 44 EMS, Station 33 EMS, and a host of other supporters.  After a short break, they departed westbound on Rt. 340, enroute to Lancaster County, sincerely appreciative of the hospitality that was afforded to them during their time here in Chester County.

Many organizations and personnel helped make this event such a success.  We received monetary donations, and donations of food, beverages, resources, and time.  The Field Services Division provided all the local level coordination, but we couldn’t have pulled this off without the generous support of: The Chester County EMS Council, Inc.; Fred Beans Ford of West Chester; Good Fellowship Ambulance Club; Valley Forge Fire Co., West End Fire Co. EMS, Uwchlan Ambulance Corps; Wagontown Fire Co.; Westwood Fire Co. EMS, Honey Brook Fire Co. EMS, and many other EMS agencies, personnel, and stakeholders.  In addition, our local law enforcement partners provided traffic control at many intersections to ensure rider safety.

For anyone who was involved with this event, we thank you for your support.  It was a great experience, and we hope that the Muddy Angels will roll through Chester County again as part of a future ride.

For full information on the Muddy Angels, go to www.muddyangels.com

How Should We Communicate With You

The Department of Emergency Services would like to understand how best to communicate with the public during an emergency. 

 Please take this short survey. 
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VCBGY63

Also, PLEASE share this with YOUR friends and families.  We need as many responses as possible to really understand how best to redevelop our communication strategy.