CERT Responder Magazine_Vol 1 Issue 1

Why we created CERT Responder Magazine

The idea for CERT Responder Magazine began shortly after the Boston bombing. We were talking about events in the world, and we realized the only way CERT Teams could receive information about global CERT communities was by visiting government websites.

As paramedics running 911 systems for years, we understand first hand what goes on during critical events and how CERT teams can help. We understand stressful environments, working with first responders, law enforcement, and fire departments from both volunteer and paid positions. We have assisted in various forms of training for CERT teams, so we decided to create a better avenue for these teams to tell their stories, and to grow, train and share information with other CERT teams around the globe, knowing that these types of situations are unknown unless you have already gone through a crisis.

It is through you that this magazine will succeed. It is your input and dedication that drives it.

CERT is an organization under federal programs with grant and federal aid that supports the dedicated men and women who volunteer their time to come to the aid of their community in time of crisis whether natural or manmade terrorism. Sometimes programs and organizations take different names, such as Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT), or Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET).

When not responding to disasters or large emergencies, CERTs may:

• Raise funds for emergency response equipment in their community;

• Provide first-aid, crowd control or other services at community events;

• Hold planning, training, or recruitment meetings; and conduct or participate in disaster response exercises.

This magazine is a platform for those individuals to share their stories in order to make CERT a well-trained and well-known part of the first responder community. Since it's conception, the magazine contiues to grow as we find common links to radio communication (HAM) radio operators, weather, Civil Air Patrol and TEEN CERT teams. Thanks to the overwhelming response from these groups, we expect to continue to expand the growing community of CERT Responder Magazine.

CERT Responder Magazine is driven by your content and articles from your peers. We are on Facebook and digital website as well at www.certresponder.com. We need to know what you want in this magazine, and what is not needed as well. Please feel free to comment on our blog page.

It is through you that this magazine will succeed. It is your input and dedication that drives it.

Please stay true to your convictions, and CERT Responder Magazine will continue to bring you information about what is going on at the front lines and in your backyard. We also intend to offer additional features and content as we grow. Please feel free to share your stories, input and subscribe to our quarterly issues. We look forward to keeping you in touch, informed and educated.

Thanks,

CERT EVENTS & TRAINING

Meramec Valley Citizen Corps Training Progream

Training program that teaches the basic Community Emergency Response Team

Eureka EMA, Eureka Fire District & Eureka Police Department and will present this training on the following dates:

February 27, 2017

7:00 – 10:00 pm, Eureka Fire District Training Center

March 6, 2017

7:00 – 10:00 pm, Eureka Fire District Training Center

March 11, 2017

8:30 – 5:00 pm, Eureka Fire District Training Center

Laughter

BY LINDA SPALL

IHeals

f you ever watched the films of Bob Hope performing the USO tours during war time, you get it. You understand the importance of humor. Even while mortar fire resounded from the hills not so far away, the man could make the soldiers somehow laugh. My dad wanted me to watch those shows every time they aired, saying that Hope could make the weary service men happy, even if it was only for a few minutes and what a gift it was to those men at a time when even a few seconds of humor could be a relief.

Humor or even just a simple smile can take away pain, remind us that there is light at the end of the tunnel, help us see “the bigger picture” and give us a new perspective. A smile can relieve stress, anger, depression and physically help us to breathe. The immediate lifting of our spirit gives us a power that sometimes we don’t even know we have. A laugh can turn an entire situation around. A smile can make us feel differently. It can cure our disease.

Most emergency responders use smiles and jokes to defuse the tension in their daily jobs but must also be keenly aware of the potential danger of actual humor in a serious situation. Humor is difficult. What one person thinks is funny, another co-worker may take offense. Ideally, any humorous attempt to alleviate a situation must be from the heart, gentle, uplifting, encouraging and sensitive and give power to the receiver. Sounds tough? It is but I am sure you have met or worked with someone who has the gift and who seems to come by it naturally.

My dad and his siblings had a great sense of humor which set the stage for all their descendants. Because of their upbringing, the humor was never cruel and blue language was forbidden. Whether our use of humor comes to us by heredity, environment or simply by observation, our personalities, points of view and our experiences decide not only what we think is fun ny but also how we deal with the lemons that life hands us, the horrible rough times, deaths, illnesses, the losses and the horrors that we see far too often because of our jobs.

There are those among us who can’t tell a joke for love or money, but can spontaneously say something hilarious without even trying and vice versa. Most all of us can smile, even with our eyes alone, offering instant comfort and trust to the victims we see encounter in our work. Equally important is the need for positive talk when the injured or confused need our support and stress relief.

Emotional strain at work can be all consuming in the emergency response field.

Hospital workers, EMTs, police and firefighters can develop twisted senses of humor. Anyone who has experienced seeing the faces of death or the weight of saving a life can tell you how humor can lessen the anxiety in an emotionally tough situa tion. What may seem to some as an

insensitive inappropriate remark at the wrong time is actually a chance to let “the air out “ and breathe. The joke may not even be funny but is a necessity to essentially redirect and focus. While the patient/victim or their family may not understand, veteran co-workers do. We learn the many powerful effects of a goofy or sarcastically funny remark that comes out of the blue in a horrid stressful situation. As traumatic as the moments are, the dumb stupid remark can lighten up our burdens and even shock us into refocusing.

Laughter makes you breathe, cleanses your body and helps you survive the tasks at hand.

Police officers, firemen, ambulance drivers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are exposed to intensely serious events. Sudden deaths, the failed attempts to save a life, homicides and suicides are all too common occurrences in their experiences and in their heads. The brain and body needs the emotional break. When I was young and in church, I remember getting the giggles, triggered by something silly. A ladies hat or a baby making faces at me could break me up.. It was nervous laughter. I knew this was the worse place to laugh but that made it even funnier somehow. I obviously needed a break from the fire, brimstone and judgement day resounding

Laughing in the face of tragedy is truly bad taste in front anyone except your familiar co-workers but some have been known to slip. It happens sometimes unexpectedly under stress. You laugh instead of cry. The joke slipped because you needed a brain adjustment in order to face the pressures and events you are witnessing. Releasing the tension that humor provides is forgivable. Laughter makes you breathe, cleanses your body and helps you survive the tasks at hand. Do not feel overly guilty about your warped sense of humor. You are not really laughing at the horrible trials of the victims. You are letting go of stress, anger at the situation, the pain you are witnessing and the horrid emotions building up in order to save yourself so you can save others effectively. You are in this business because you are a compassionate human being who strives every day to make a difference and help your fellow man. It is not who you are. Besides, usually the bad jokes come after the emergency has been attended to properly.

Laughter heals. Bob Hope and George Burns lived to be 100. Milton Berle was 93, Jerry Lewis is still making the rounds at 90 years of age. Of course, being funny doesn’t insure a long life, but keeping your spirits up and elevating others can make all the difference in the world. CERT

Focus On

Mickey Wenzel

Division Chief of Training and Safety,

LAKE ZURICH FIRE DEPARTMENT, ILLINOIS

Born and raised in Illinois, Chief Wenzel has 26 years in fire service. He has held his present position as the Division Chief of Training and Safety for 5 years and has been the CERT Training Co-Coordinator since 2012 for the South Lake Country Regional CERT working with fellow Cocoordinators: the Police Chief of Killdeer, Police Commander of Hawthorne Woods and the Fire Lieutenant in Long Grove and serving in Deer Park. We asked Chief Wenzel about his work as the CERT Training Co-Coordinator

WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A CERT?

As coordinator, I’ve made friends and met great people. I’ve seen how they come together to help the community and each other when they need help. It’s amazing.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?

When I got involved in 2012, I took the training portion. People became enthused about it and helped to advance the training to make it what it is today. We truly make a difference in the community.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

We have holiday celebrations, we meet up to socialize and bond, have get-togethers, a training Bar-B-Que and we all have fun at the Pancake Breakfast! (our big fundraiser!)

IF YOU COULD GIVE YOUR FELLOW CERTS ADVICE, WHAT WOULD YOU SHARE?

It’s all about acceptance. Being a volunteer group, you have people from all walks of life who are giving what they can. Different skills, different education levels, different size egos and different specialties and capabilities. They are all there to give. Just don’t take yourself too seriously!

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC SAY “THANK YOU” AND MAKE YOUR WORK EASIER?

They already do. The Pancake Breakfast is a giant success because of the community’s attendance and donations. It’s a great community.

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE?

(EXAMPLE: A PERSON YOU ADMIRE, A HERO, FAMILY MEMBER)

My Dad taught me everything I know. He was by far the biggest influence. I didn’t realize that till I was older. He taught me how to be a good person and make good decisions. CERT

Focus On Trish Huelga

DART chairman

WRITTEN BY AMBER DURAN, CHRISTIAN COUNTY HEADLINER NEWS

On Sept. 8, Trish Huelga became nationally recognized for her volunteer contributions to the Christian County Disaster Animal Response Team program.

At an awards ceremony at the National CERT conference in Universal City, California, Huelga was named the national Most Valuable CERT Volunteer.

This award is presented to a CERT volunteer for outstanding contribution to their CERT program and community as an unpaid program manager, instructor, team leader or general volunteer.

Huelga, DART chairman, said she doesn’t volunteer for recognition or for the number of hours she logs. It’s about doing a community work.

But while she didn’t want the recognition, it’s exactly what she got.

Phil Amtower, Emergency Management director, who nominated Huelga, said she is an instrumental piece of the DART program.

“After Congress enacted the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act, we all were charged with coming up with plans and procedures to deal with pets in emergencies. Our Citizen Corps sought out a person to lead a new sub group of individuals

that would tackle all these issues,” Amtower said. “Trish agreed to lead this new venture. She started with nothing and has ended with a well-organized plan and group of individuals to deal with pets in disaster.”

Amtower said Huelga isn’t like most volunteers.

“For me, over the years it has been really hard to delegate tasks such as writing procedures and plans. Most volunteers do not really have the concept down and do not have enough experience to enable them to take on this task. But Trish has done the research, attended trainings, met with subject matter experts and has come up with a professional program that is leading the way in our region,” he said.

While winning this award proves Huelga inspires her peers, her work is what inspires everyone else, Amtower said.

“I think just the fact that she started this from nothing and made a good program out of it is enough to inspire others. Take something that you love, find a need or a gap that relates to something that you love, and fix it,” Amtower said.

Huelga, though not a loud person, makes a great volunteer leader, Amtower said.

“She is the DART leader ... It’s kind of interesting to watch her because she is somewhat quiet. She’s not a loud, boisterous, know-it-all person. She manages people well with compassion and understanding and the people listen to her and they are glad to help out when she needs them,” he said. CERT

Bulletproof Spirit

The First Responder’s Essential Resource for Protecting and Healing Mind and Heart BY

CAPTAIN DAN WILLIS,

La Mesa Police Department copyright 2014 New World Library

BOOK REVIEW WRITTEN BY LINDA SPALL

The first book chosen to be reviewed in our CERT Responder Magazine debut was not difficult to find. The provocative title Bulletproof Spirit and the enticing phrase “The First Responder’s Essential Resource for Protecting and Healing Mind and Heart” conveyed a perfect summary of our purpose in offering book reviews. We hope to educate, give means of support and share stories that will inspire, find answers, give comfort and most importantly, we want to offer books that strengthen our resolve to have a safe and healthy environment. Bulletproof Spirit does it all.

Author Captain Dan Willis is now retired and traveling promoting his research and expertise after his 25 years on the La Mesa Police Department in California. During that time, he has experienced the difficult negative emotional and physical wear and tear of a first responder. Well aware of the tragedies and miserable outcomes of witnessing deaths, murder, cries for help and knowing what these images and occurrences do to the mind and soul, Captain Willis has made it his mission to help.

The writing of the book flows easily, first hitting on the sad statistics regarding the all too familiar challenges of many first responders. What is not so easy is the reality of the words. Dedicated good men and women who vow to protect and desire to make the world a better place can suffer extreme consequences. Haunting visions or voices they cannot shake, feelings of guilt or inadequacy can all too readily result in severe depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and tragically, suicide. Alcoholism, paranoia, anger and drugs are only some of the results of stress and work related issues. The experiences of a first responder can adversely change an attitude or a facet of a personality trait resulting in over-vigilance, constant suspicion or perhaps a much too serious demeanor which can make maintaining relationships difficult. How can we help our well-intended police, fire fighters, EMTs, medical personnel and dispatchers to survive and lead a quality life? Our well-being, our safety, our communities and country depend upon their welfare.

Bulletproof Spirit has answers. Chapter by chapter, Captain Willis provides resources and practical solutions and steps towards healing both the mind and body. By telling us first of the many potential emotional scars of the grisly images and experiences, his words are hopeful and positive and his solutions are doable and encouraging.

I wish that every first responder owned a copy of this book. “Bulletproof Spirit” is not just reading material about what responders experience and the possible solutions but is a book of healing and awareness. Captain Willis makes our responsibilities clear. We must take care of ourselves and each other. Compassionately and knowledgeably written, Bulletproof Spirit helps us prioritize, gives us awareness of possible pitfalls and helps us heal. Thanks to Captain Willis and New World Publishing for caring and helping us to see our true potential. CERT

Region D Forms First Regional CERT Team

BY PHIL AMTOWER AND LINDA BARGER, MOCERT1

Missouri’s Region D has formed the state’s first regional Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Called MOCERT1 within the state, this new concept incorporates individual CERT teams from across the region into one deployable unit. Combining personnel, equipment and assets into one integrated team provides greater strength and flexibility than any single local CERT could provide.

When a small-scale emergency response is needed, a local CERT can assemble the required personnel and equipment and deploy. But in a large-scale disaster, member CERT elements can now can be assembled as needed to form a regional team with a wider range of skill sets, equipment and support resources.

The regional CERT concept originated in Christian County, where Phil Amtower is county EMD and CERT coordinator, and Linda Barger serves as assistant EMD and MOCERT1 logistics coordinator. The team developed its own standard operating procedures for how MOCERT1 assembles, deploys and operates on scene, as well as command positions and job descriptions. Next steps include developing a way to effectively integrate with the region’s incident support team (IST) and acquiring additional equipment. Working with the Region D IST will provide integrated disaster response planning, logistical and operational coordination.

MOCERT1 is capable of conducting a variety of response and recovery functions. Immediately after a disaster, the team can perform damage assessments on homes and conduct wellness checks. The team can also perform some minor search and rescue opera -

tions. MOCERT1 can also set up and manage shelters, assist with setting up a volunteer reception center, conduct needs assessments, assist with traffic control and provide communications support with trained HAM radio operators and their equipment.

FIRST SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYMENTS

MOCERT1 received its first request to assist in another state in 2013. A response team was sent to Moore, Okla., to help following the devastating May 20 tornado. In May 2014, another out-of-state request came when MOCERT1 was asked to deploy to Baxter Springs, Kan., to assist with debris removal and to help homeowners whose uninsured properties were damaged or destroyed.

MOCERT1 members used nearly every aspect of their training, such as cribbing up a corner of a house, using chainsaws to clear debris and assisting a young woman who had been injured. The team also helped repair roofs and arranged food deliveries in a hard-hit neighborhood. Some team members volunteered in a food and clothing pantry and helped distribute groceries and other items. We try to get plugged into an area that may not be receiving as much assistance as

other areas and help homeowners with the greatest needs.

The MOCERT1 team members were housed at the Miami, Okla., Church of Christ. All 28 members slept in one large room and shared two showers. McDonald County’s emergency management agency arranged cots from the local Red Cross. One of the key components of a MOCERT1 deployment is flexibility. Our motto is “adapt and overcome.”

PARTNERSHIPS – FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS

Partnerships are the foundation to MOCERT1’s success. During the Kansas deployment the team worked with local chapters of the Red Cross, AmeriCorps, the Northeast Oklahoma VOAD, the Cherokee County EMA, a local fire department, the City of Baxter Springs, many local churches and Oklahoma’s tribal nations. During the Baxter Springs deployment, MOCERT1 included CERT members from Branson and Christian, Greene and McDonald counties.

After every deployment we bring home lessons that we use to evaluate our capabilities, procedures and training so we are better prepared and effective for the next deployment. CERT

BY MARK ROSENBLUM | PROGRAM DIRECTOR

The Mid America TEEN CERT Program teamteen

At what age can you become a CERT member?The answer is usually 18 years of age unless you are lucky enough to be a participant in the Mid America TEEN CERT program. Mark Rosenblum, the Program Director, has developed this organization that offers free training and opportunity for any student who is at least 12 years old or older including adults!

Based out of Wentzville, Missouri about 40 miles northwest of St. Louis, the Mid America TEEN CERT has been around since 2003 and was established under FEMA in 2007. Shortly after a tornado damaged or destroyed more than 600 homes and a high school in the Missouri town of Caruthersville in early April 2006, Mark Rosenblum, along with the late Haley Rich, used the FEMA curriculum and created the TEEN CERT program. The occurrences in Columbine and Littleton plus the devastating tornado brought the acute awareness of our nation’s need to protect youth in educational facilities during unexpected emergency events. The Mid America TEEN CERT was one of the

pilot programs across the country. To this day, many school districts across the homeland have under-developed, disorganized, or sometimes non-existent emergency preparedness programs. The Mid America TEEN CERT program can fulfil these urgent needs by training students and teach ers with attention to self-safety, team-building, disaster psychology and special needs considerations. MATC has been cho-

sen as the top community emergency preparedness and response training program in Missouri since 2010 and on a national level, the Mid America TEEN CERT program was named for the second year in a

Fire Chief Mike Cherry of the Lincoln County Fire Protection District and MATC Director Mark Rosenblum, working with a team of students to teach cribbing (to raise and support a heavy object).

(Photo courtesy of the Lincoln County Health Department)

Mid America TEEN CERT trains an average of 7-8 classes per year (~30 students per class). Most classes are taught over a weekend; however groups have the option of how the course is configured. (Photo courtesy of BSA Venturing Crew 2450)

ing Achievement in Youth Preparedness in America for 2016.

What does MATC do to earn such honors? Mid America provides classes on the average of eight times a year and presently has 1500 trained graduates. Traveling in the nation to where training is requested, classes are scheduled for such organizations as Boy and Girl Scouts, 4-H, high schools, churches and civic groups.

Throughout the basic 22-hour training, students learn how to handle medical emergencies, extinguish live fires and perform extensive student searches. Most importantly, students learn to manage stress, assist with peers, people with special needs and recognize signs and symptoms of disaster-related psychological issues. The class culminates with a full-scale, real-time, life-like simulated disaster exercise that will showcase the newly learned emergency skills of the students.

A hidden bonus in the program’s design for the scouts is that not only do they receive a state-issued TEEN CERT certificate but the standard curriculum also includes additional disaster-related topics, such as requirements from several Boy Scout and Girl Scout merit and interest project badges. Boy Scouts can earn their Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, Fire Safety, Safety, and Disabilities Awareness, Search and Rescue and Wilderness Survival merit badges. Girl Scouts can earn interest project badges in Emergency Preparedness, Outdoor Survival, Backpacking and Camping.

Giving back to the community, MATC works with the BackStoppers, Komen STL, the Red Cross “Ready Rating” Program and the President’s Volunteer Service Award Program. The team also sponsors two 1-mile stretches of roadway for litter pickup and gives help for a variety of events.

The amazing part is that the program functions entirely without any governmental funding or grants. When volunteer instructors are not purchasing their own training supplies, Mid America TEEN CERT relies on the generosity of the public, groups and organizations to donate the much needed instruction materials such as bandages, gauze, and medical gloves.

If you would like to have more information regarding the MATC or would like to donate to this incredibly important program, please feel free to check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/MIDAMERICATEENCERT/.

CERT

A young student learning proper hand placement to perform CPR during a safety event. (Photo courtesy of Wentzville School District)

Student responders hold c-spine and transport a patient to a treatment area during a full-scale disaster exercise. (Photo courtesy of the BSA Troop 972)

Instructor Emily Rosenblum training students on the proper method of the PASS (pull, aim, squeeze, sweep) system to extinguish fires. (Photo courtesy of the Wentzville Fire Protection District)

TEEN CERT students perform a head-to-toe assessment and transporting a patient to a treatment area during a full-scale disaster exercise. (Photo courtesy of BSA Troop 972)

“DON’T

BE SHY, SAVE A LIFE” with bystander Naloxone

BY KATHY HAHN

Pople die from drug overdose every day. Sometimes it’s a suicide attempt, sometimes a young person experimenting at a party, sometimes a cancer patient using too much powerful pain medicine, sometimes a drug addict making a mistake with methadone or heroin. Sadly, deaths from heroin overdose continue to rise. It can be very tempting to look away and say “It’s not my problem.” But the people whose lives are at risk from drug overdose are still members of someone’s family - maybe even *our* family. While eliminating heroin and other opioid/narcotic drugs is not possible, preventing deaths caused by overdose *is* possible. There is no quick fix for drug abuse, addiction, or poor judgement, but there is a quick fix for an opioid overdose. This quick fix is a medicine called naloxone

Refusal of additional care can be a problem because naloxone works for a relatively short time period—perhaps only an hour. When it wears off, the victim may lapse back into unconsciousness.

Naloxone (brand name Narcan) is the antidote for all narcotics, whether illegal like heroin, or one of the many legal prescription opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl and methadone. In overdose, they all do the same thing—they put the person under deep sedation and suppress breathing. The person lays lifeless and dies from lack of oxygen to the brain in a matter of minutes to hours, depending on the potency of the drug they tangled with. Naloxone reverses the life-threatening depression of brain and respiratory function. As it pushes the narcotic drug from its special receptor sites, the person literally comes to life again in short order.

Naloxone is administered to a person with a suspected narcotic overdose who is unresponsive and cannot be roused and has very slow or apparently-absent breathing. Another clue that a narcotic is on board are tiny pupils, often described as “pinpoint.” If an opioid is the culprit, the patient will begin breathing and lighten up within a few minutes. If the person is unresponsive for another reason, it will not help them. On the other hand, it won’t hurt them either, and so it is a good bet in an unknown situation where time is of the essence.

Until recently, naloxone was available only in intravenous form in emergency rooms and some EMS units, and then a new form given by nasal spray was carried by police, firefighters, and other first responders. In June 2016, HB 1568 was signed into Missouri law allowing “bystander” naloxone. This bill legalizes administration of naloxone by any individual, in good faith, to another individual suffering

from an opioid-induced drug overdose. Pharmacies are able to sell naloxone under a “standing order” from a physician, much like the protocols used by pharmacists to administer flu vaccines. Family and friends of those who may be at risk of opioid drug overdose can easily obtain a naloxone kit from a retail pharmacy containing two intranasal devices. It’s as simple as walking to the pharmacy counter… getting a prescription from the “standing order”… payment…and counseling on proper usage. The law also allows non-pharmacy individuals or organizations, with a similar agreement with a physician for standing orders, to keep and dispense naloxone as long as payment or compensation is not collected when they do this.

There is some concern that an overdose victim who is saved by a bystander with nasal naloxone will arouse and become violent, or refuse to be taken to an emergency department. Refusal of additional care can be a problem because naloxone works for a relatively short time period— perhaps only an hour. When it wears off, the victim may lapse back into unconsciousness. To help with both potential problems, training in bystander naloxone use emphasizes calling 911 immediately, just as 911 should be called before starting CPR for a heart attack victim. Then, no matter what happens with the person who needs help, backup is on the way.

With diligent efforts, the number of overdose-related deaths should continue to trend downward in the next few years. Bystander naloxone is not the answer to addiction, but does empower the loved ones of those addicted. CERT

Breathe

BY TRISH RICHARDSON-TUREK

Have you ever seen a newborn baby take its first wailing breath? This joyous noise seems to come out of its mouth at hurricane force. That little bundle of joy has just left the cozy comforts of its mother’s body where she did all the hard work of breathing. In the womb we simply laid back and relaxed. When we made our entrance into the world most of us had a medical team ready to give us that “wake up call”. They opened our nose and mouth passages so our independent breathing could begin. From that day on our autonomic nervous system took over and breathing became as natural as blinking our eyes.

We know the average person takes 17,000 to 23,000 breaths a day but are all breaths equal? That may sound like a silly question but the answer is no. Let me explain how our breathing can positively or negatively influence our ability to effectively make decisions and respond in a “call to action” stressful circumstance.

When we are responding in an emergency event our autonomic nervous system takes over. Our heart beats faster, our digestive system can cause us problems and our breathing will become rapid and shallow due to restricted air passages. Shallow breathing does not allow air to reach the lower part of the lungs, making us feel short of breath and anxious. Now our “fight or flight” stress response has kicked in. This is the body’s way of avoiding danger or confronting it so we can rise to the challenge. Think of being chased by a bear and you’ll get the picture. Powerful nerve biochemical hormones and adrenaline bathe your bloodstream giving you energy and physical strength, but this “adrenaline dump” can be a double edge sword. A flood of adrenaline kicks your body into high gear but these free floating “ready for action” biochemicals can cloud your “mental strength” and hinder your decision making process. This “energized brain” needs to slow down, take a breath and make way for clear critical thinking.

effect the harmful stress hormones and “adrenaline dump” has on our mind. Think of being stressed as having your foot on the gas and pedal is to the floor. When you take slow deep breaths that is what puts on the brakes.

Stop where you are right now and sit down for a few minutes. If you can’t do that right now keep reading and try it when you can. Begin by taking a slow deep breath in through your nose as you count to four. Imagine the air is going straight into your abdomen expanding it as if you were inflating a balloon….your belly balloon. Of course we know this is anatomically impossible but use your imagination. Now hold your breath for another count of four then exhale though your mouth as you slowly count to four again. If you have trouble imagining your breath reaching into your abdomen try gently putting your hand on your belly and feeling it expand as you breathe in through your nose and deflating as you exhale out your mouth. Repeat this process at least four times. If you feel you want to do it more than four times that’s fine. You will know what feels right for you.

Tactical breathing not only calms the mind but it has many health benefits. It has been studied and proven to reduce blood pressure, improve quality of sleep and even slow down the aging process.

Tactical breathing not only calms the mind but it has many health benefits. It has been studied and proven to reduce blood pressure, improve quality of sleep and even slow down the aging process. Now I have your attention!

Learning to overcome and control this “over abundant readiness” of the mind is what tactical breathing is all about. If our mind is controlled and calm in an emergency we clear the way for focused critical decision-making.

Tactical breathing is one of the simplest yet most effective ways of slowing down the mind and allowing clarity in thinking to take over. This simple technique of long slow breathing is taught to police, firefighters, military and anyone that wants to slow down the negative effects of the “adrenaline dump” on our brain. Tactical breathing is sometimes referred to as diaphragmatic breathing or “belly breath“. The diaphragm is a large dome shaped muscle at the base of the lungs. As we take in a long deep breath our diaphragm muscle contracts. This happens because we are taking in extra air all the way down to our lower lungs. This extra oxygen flowing throughout our body dampens the

When you have completed your first tactical breathing session ask yourself how you feel. Do you notice a change in your regular breathing? Do you feel more relaxed? Remember you can use this slow tactical breathing technique for everyday events. Next time you are in a traffic jam or you have a hard day at work, try it. This simple process can have profound effects on our mental attitude and outlook.

Harvard researcher Dr. Herbert Benson used scientific research to show that short periods of focused breathing can actually alter the basic activity of your cells. “Focused breathing is not the answer to everything”, he says “but it’s a powerful tool for influencing health and well-being. And, the best part is all the ingredients are free and literally right under your nose.”

Next time you find yourself needing to make a skillful decision and you need to decide on a plan of action try tactical breathing and simply “breathe into it”. CERT

OF 2015

The rain came after Christmas on Saturday, December 26, 2015. Cold, hard, relentless.

After three days, 8-10 or more inches of water saturated the ground. The swollen rivers overflowed. Homes that had withstood the test of time were no match for Nature’s wrath.

Water as far as the eye could see…and the rain kept coming... the river had become a writhing, angry serpent consuming everything in its path.

Entire towns were consumed as the raging water continued to rise.

Old Town Eureka (business and residential)

The heaviest hit area was from the St. Louis metropolitan area to about 70 miles southwest.

The town of Eureka, Missouri was one of the many casualties. Eureka is right down Highway 44 which connects St. Louis to Tulsa and sits alongside the Meramec River.

By Tuesday, officials closed Highway 109 another major artery which was by the high school and by Wednesday, December 30th, the sandbaggers began to gather at the local elementary school.

By Thursday, December 31, the river had risen from 27 feet to 43 feet. The last big flood had been in 1982 and this one beat that height by 3 feet destroying approximately 1,000 homes and businesses along the Meramec.

A sewer treatment plant in nearby Fenton couldn’t handle the water and untreated sewage was pushed into the river and forced the evacuation from hundreds of homes.

Roads were closed throughout the area including state roads and the well traveled section of the Interstate 44. Traffic was gridlocked and in many cases, people were blocked from getting to their homes and left wondering if they had homes to get back to.

The Meramec River crept into Eureka’s businesses and homes, overtaking everything in its path, causing cataclysmic flood damage.

In Eureka alone, approximately 80 homes and 40 businesses were damaged.

Debris was found everywhere in the flood’s aftermath.

Eureka is a railroad town, and consequently, some of the track was ruined and businesses were even more alienated during the disaster.

The Meramec River crept into Eureka’s businesses and homes, overtaking everything in its path, causing cataclysmic flood damage.

The Meramec River crested at a historic

EUREKA CERT members were available to assist with flood assistance and the relief efforts.

Eureka Fire Department on CERT:

Eureka CERT has been training and practicing numerous skills for the past 16 years.

This Flood disaster put their skills to the test, especially in team organization and leadership.

Our team and many others were a tremendous support and assistance to the local emergency responders as well as to the citizens and neighbors that were in need.

CERT has once again proven how valuable they are to the community both in times of community support for local events and disasters.

We could not have done this as efficiently without our CERT members.

Randy Gabel, Eureka Fire Protection District

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

Thank you to Chief Michael Wiegand, Chief of Police Eureka and Director of Emergency Management Chief Greg Brown, Chief of Eureka Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Randy Gabel and Sheila Frost, Eureka Fire Protection District John Engle, Penny Meyer who were major players protecting the community in Eureka and special thanks to Theresa Arnett Eureka CERT who provided the story of this heroic event.

record of 46.20 feet making Eureka an island. Two particular areas were heavily damaged and rehab tents were set up at both locations.

A state of emergency for the county was declared by Steve Stenger the St. Louis County Executive. Emergency personnel were overwhelmed.

Fortunately, help was on the way!

The local Community Emergency Response Team members (CERT) who are the volunteers who support public safety and professional responders put their training to the test. Using their knowledge from the CERT course curriculum and experience, these men and women are an essential component of saving lives and assisting with recovery efforts.

Their role is to ease the heavy burden of firefighters, police and EMTs and hospitals.

Answering the calls of people who were stranded in their homes, businesses, and vehicles, the CERT members were extremely needed and very busy, utilized in many ways.

Throughout the relief efforts, CERT coordinated over 200+ volunteers each day at multiple locations.

Throughout the relief efforts, CERT coordinated over 200+ volunteers each day at multiple locations, using radios for communication, sign in/sign out and assigning various tasks and supplying each volunteer as needed with goggles, face mask, gloves, paper suits and shoe covers, refreshments, cleaning supplies and tools. Thanks to the extensive training and preparation, no CERT volunteers sustained an injury.

The Eureka CERT team and the sharing of their story of bravery, stamina and assistance in their community is inspiring. We thank them for their service and for helping us to spread awareness and the volunteer opportunities with the CERT program. CERT

1:47pm First request made for CERT sandbagging assistance. 3:00pm More than 60 CERT members and volunteer’s turned out properly equipped for blustery, cold conditions.

Elk Trail Subdivision (residential) this subdivision had never experienced serious flooding

Eureka Police Chief on CERT:

The basic idea is to use CERT to perform the large number of tasks needed in emergencies. This frees trained professional responders for more technical tasks.

In December of 2015 with the Great Mid-West Flood the Eureka CERT Team sprang into action to help the Eureka community and did precisely that. The flooding that resulted in a Presidential Declared State of Emergency, caused severe damage to many homes, and closure of 24 miles of Interstate 44. The Meramec River was 4 feet over its historic level of 1982.

Just before the flood, Eureka CERT members organized and managed volunteers who prepared sandbags for homes and businesses in low lying areas. After the water receded, the team helped manage as many as 700 volunteers who came into the area to remove debris from affected homes and businesses. Some also helped at area food pantries and churches for the distribution of food, water and house hold items.

Since much of CERT training concerns the Incident Command System and organization, Eureka CERT members fit easily into the larger command structures for response and recovery.

We are very proud of our CERT members, and the help they continually offer to our community.

Chief Michael A. Wiegand, Eureka Police Department

8:00am 120 volunteers arrived working shifts filling sandbags until the sand was gone late into the night at Blevins Elementary.

Filling sandbags continued at the Firehouse until the sand was gone and distributed.

Hundreds of volunteers and church groups from Eureka worked side by side our Cert members with the massive cleanup effort: Delivering cleaning supplies, water, sharing information on recovery, removing sandbags and flood debris, cleaning out flooded basements, loading debris on trucks or in dumpsters, removal of floors, appliances and drywall.

Panic »» PUSHING PAST

BY FRAN SHERMAN, CO-PUBLISHER, CERT RESPONDER MAGAZINE

Why do some people consistently come through in times of crisis, while others can only cringe with fear?

Ican tell you first hand, I’m one of the squeamish people. I don’t handle crisis situations well. I’m the only partner in CERT Responder Magazine that has absolutely NO CERT training, no medical background, no emergency response training, NOTHING.

I have no idea how to treat even a superficial wound deeper than a paper cut, let alone perform CPR. And while I was an Honors student throughout my entire educational life, I’ve been told repeatedly that I lack “common sense”. So probably not your best “go to” person in a crisis.

»» I PERSONALLY THINK PANIC IS HEREDITARY.

Maybe my cowardice in crisis comes from my mom.

One time when I was in grade school, my dad (who was a commercial artist long before computers ever existed) cut off the tip of his finger (fortunately, just the skin) with an X-Acto knife while working, and my mom pretty much freaked out. Fortunately, my dad had a much cooler head and managed to successfully self-treat the wound. And long before that, when I was a little kid, I used to experience severe nosebleeds, and my dad was the one holding my head back with wet washcloths in the middle of the night till they subsided. My mom, the worrier, couldn’t even look at the bloody articles, let alone provide assistance.

Then there was the time when I was in a bicycle accident. My bike tire hit one of those grates in the street the wrong way, and I Supermanned over the handlebars. Unfortunately, the pedal spikes hit my shin before I went flying, and cut my leg to the bone. Luckily I was able to limp to a nearby gas station where they called for an ambulance. My parents met me at the hospital ER, and while my father watched with interest as they filled my hemorrhaging leg with an endless number of stitches, my mom could only look away.

»» THANK GOODNESS FOR TELEVISION!

I can definitively say that I would not be here today if not for educational TV. One Thanksgiving, my sister and I were gathered together at our parents’ house. We were just digging in to our turkey dinner when my sister began to choke. My dad jumped into action: he performed the Heimlich maneuver on her and sent the piece of meat sailing out of my sister, saving her life! We

asked him how he knew how to do that, and he told us “I saw it on television.” Chew on that, tv-naysayers! (Side note: My mom never again made turkey).

Not too long after this heroic episode, I was at my sister’s house following a routine doctor’s visit. The nurse had drawn blood for a routine blood test, but she clearly was not an accomplished phlebotomist, and throughout the next few hours, my arm began swelling up like an Easter egg. I assumed it would go down on its own, but while at my sister’s house, blood starting spurting out of it like Old Faithful! I panicked, thinking I was going to die as all my blood spewed uncontrollably from my arm! My sister, a schoolteacher, quickly responded and brought me a cloth to press and hold over my exploding arm. The bleeding finally stopped, and I was okay. But if my father hadn’t saved my sister, my sister wouldn’t have been able to save me. (Side note: My sister was not happy with the ensuing bloody mess she had to clean off the carpeting).

My dad was pretty much a rock in times of crisis, although he had no medical training whatsoever, while my mom (who worried if I was a minute late coming home from anywhere) pretty much was a basket case in those instances.

»» ENTER FUR KIDS IN CRISIS.

»» IS THERE HOPE FOR THE SQUEAMISH AMONG US?

My dad was pretty much a rock in times of crisis, although he had no medical training whatsoever, while my mom (who worried if I was a minute late coming home from anywhere) pretty much was a basket case in those instances. And I fall in that latter category. (Thanks, Mom!)

My sister also was able to maintain composure under pressure, again with no medical background.

So, is there any hope for people like me? Turns out there is.

When our dog, Beau, was suffering from a progressive neurological disease that slowly paralyzed him, he developed horrible pressure sores due to inactivity. We tried to change his positions every so often as instructed, but the pressure sores got increasingly worse. I never in a million years thought I could look at these deep, festering ulcers, let alone treat them. But thanks to a veterinarian hospice nurse, I not only faced them head on, but I changed the dressings daily. Then in 2015, our dog, Zima, went through emergency surgery that lead to development of pressure sores and later, bladder failure. I not only dressed her wounds daily, but I even learned how to express her bladder—not too shabby for someone as squeamish as myself!

»» CONCLUSION: EVEN COWARDS CAN COME THROUGH.

I suppose the “moral of the story” is that, even though some people are blessed with the innate ability to perform effectively in times of crisis and some are completely inept, even the latter group can find courage when the need arises. Keep the faith, my squeamish friends! We may never become doctors or paramedics, but we can still learn to push past the panic! CERT

CERT DISASTER RESPONSE GEAR AND PACKING LIST

CERT TEAM MEMBER GEAR PACK

1 set clothing for weather and conditions

1 pr. work boots

1 Gear Pack

1 Hard Hat

1 pr. Leather Gloves

1 CERT Vest

1 50' of Paracord (Mil- Spec)

1 Small Axe (Hatchet)

1 Small Shovel (Etool)

1 set 15" Bolt Cutters

1 LED Flashlight and/or Headlamp

1 set extra batteries for flashlight

2 Chem-Sticks

1 Whistle

1 Wool Blanket

1 pr. Goggles

1 pr. Safety Glasses

3 N95 Respirator

8 Dust Masks

1 Rain Gear

1 roll Duct Tape

Matches in plastic container

1 15" prybar

1 pr. slip-joint pliers

1 Adjustable Crescent wrench

1 clip board

3 ea CERT forms

1 ea Rite-In-The-Rain CERT books/forms

1 Notepad

4 pencils

2 pens

2 markers (red & black)

1 lumber crayon

10 rubber bands

10 paper clips

1 individual first aid kit

3 large garbage bags

2 1qt plastic bottles for drinking water

1 utility knife

1 water purification tablets & filter

1 space blanket

1 FRS/GMRS radio

Map of Area of Operations Food for 72 hours

1 orange spray paint

1 triage pack

1 roll toilet paper

6 moistened towelettes

TRIAGE PACK

1 Container to hold supplies

8ea. 2" Roller Gauze or Self Adherent Wrap

20-25 4"x4" gauze pads

1 pr. EMT Scissors

1 Roll of each; Triage Tape (Red, Green, Yellow, Black)

1roll 1" Tape

TREATMENT PACK

1ea. Container for supplies

2 ea. Penlights

2 ea. EMT Scissors

10 ea. Safety Pins

100ea. Nitrile Gloves

100ea. Antimicrobial Wipes

5ea. Infection Control Bags

10 ea. Sterile Eye Pads

10 ea. Ammonia Inhalants

100 ea. Strip Bandages

50 ea. 4x4 Gauze Pads

20 0ea. Non-sterile 4x4 Gauze Pads

50 ea. 2x2 Gauze Pads

10 ea. Feminine Napkins

10 ea. Israeli Trauma Dressing 4"

10 ea. Israeli Trauma Dressing 6"

5 ea Israeli Trauma Dressing - Abdominal Bandage, 8"

5 ea. 12x30 Multi Trauma Dressing

12 ea. 2" Non-sterile Roller Gauze

12 ea. 3" Non-sterile Roller Gauze

12 ea. 4" Non-sterileRoller Gauze

10 ea. 5x9 Combine Pad

12 ea. Cravats

8 ea. SAM Splints

8 ea. WaterJel 4x4 Burn Dressing

4 ea. WaterJel 8x18 Burn Dressing

4 rolls 1" Tape

INDIVIDUAL TEAM MEMBER FIRST AID KIT

3 Safety Pins

1 pr. EMT Scissors

4 25 mg Benadryl

6 200 mg Motrin

6 32 5mg Aspirin

6 500 mg Tylenol

2 pr. Nitrile Gloves

1 5x9 Trauma Pad

4 Butterfly Strips

1 Tincture of Benzoin

2 Antibiotic Ointment Packets

4 2x2 Gauze Pads

4 3x3 Gauze Pads

4 4x4 Gauze Pads

1 2" Roller Gauze or Self Adherent Wrap

6 1x3 Strip Bandages

4 Knuckle Bandages

2 3x4 Telfa Pads

1 Roll of Tape

6 Alcohol Prep Pads

1 Space Blanket

EQUIPMENT TO HAVE IN TRUNK OF VEHICLE OR BACK OF TRUCK

1 ABC Rated Fire Extinguisher

1 Large Garden Shovel

1 72 Hour Kit

1 Complete Tool Box

1 3' Prybar

• Teams from all 50 states rely on ProPac.

• Our kits are the product of over 20 years of feedback from responders.

• Manufacturer direct quality control

• Kits for every need and any budget

• Custom logo imprints available

• Custom kits can be built to your specs

• Quantity discounts available