CRESA Celebrates Four Life Saving Awards

Here at CRESA we are very proud of our dedicated and highly professional team.  From time to time we get the opportunity to spotlight a few of those individuals who do an amazing job daily and in these cases, helped save a life.

The Life Saving Award is given to a 9-1-1 Dispatcher who use Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Protocols to give lifesaving instructions to a caller and the patient survives.  In the cases highlighted here,  Dispatchers quickly recognize the need for CPR and instructed the callers on how to start chest compression's while keeping them calm, reassured and focused until paramedics arrive. 

During last week's CRESA Board of Directors Meeting, three 9-1-1 dispatchers were awarded the Life Saving Award... 

Sally Dexter:  

Pictured Left to Right: Sally Dexter; CRESA Board Chair,
Don Cheney; CRESA Director, Anna Pendergrass 

Sally answered a 9-1-1 call from a male subject who stated he needed and ambulance for his friend who is down on the ground and blue.  l   After some time in the hospital the patient was released from the hospital and sent home independently.  

Pictured Left to Right: Kira Yager; CRESA Board Chair, 
Don Cheney; CRESA Director, Anna Pendergrass 

Kira Yager:

Kira answered a 9-1-1 call with woman who was very upset trying to report her 16 year old son was unconscious and not breathing.

Jackie Piggot:  (Receiving two awards)

Pictured Left to Right: Jackie Piggot; CRESA Board Chair, 
Don Cheney; CRESA Director, Anna Pendergrass 

1st Award:

Jackie answered a 9-1-1 call  with a male caller who was reporting his 48 year old girlfriend unconscious and not breathing.  .

2nd Award: 

Jackie answered a 9-1-1 call with a female caller who was reporting her boyfriend was unconscious and not breathing normally.  The patient was transported to the hospital and then left the hospital against medical advice, he did have relatively normal neuro functioning upon leaving.

These four awards highlight the importance of early CPR in saving lives in Clark County!!  We continue to encourage everyone to be trained in Hands Only CPR.  Take a minute to watch the Hands-Only Demo  below,  your knowledge could save a life!! 

CRESA Board appoints Anna Pendergrass Agency’s new director

Vancouver, WA – The Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency executive board today named Anna Pendergrass, a 35-year veteran of the emergency services field, director of the regional public safety agency.

Pendergrass has served as the agency’s interim director since the June retirement of Tom Griffith, who held the position for 11 years. Her appointment is effective today; a final employment agreement is pending.

CRESA provides 9-1-1 dispatch, emergency and disaster management and technology services that maintain emergency radio and computer systems. It also oversees the ambulance contract for Emergency Medical Service District 2. Its service area is all seven Clark County cities and the county’s unincorporated area.

The agency also hosts the Region IV Homeland Security Office, which coordinates Homeland Security efforts in Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties.

Pendergrass’ lengthy experience, ideas and understanding of the agency, its first responder partners and the community’s needs made her appointment the logical and fiscally prudent choice, said Don Chaney, chair of the agency’s executive board.

Her proposals for enhancing public services and ability to immediately step into the position will provide the agency and community with continued stable, high-quality and reliable emergency services, he said.

“Anna’s experience, intelligence and bearing qualify her for this appointment,” Chaney said. “She projects and acknowledges a passion for service to the Clark County community. She has our full confidence.”

As director, Pendergrass will be responsible for all aspects of emergency management and Homeland Security, technical services and administrative duties.

Among her duties, she will continue to seek grants and other financing for agency services and cost savings and regional cooperation in matters such as upgrading the agency’s radio and telephone systems.

Board member Ben Peeler, chief of North Country Emergency Medical Service, said Pendergrass taking the helm of CRESA will be “a seamless transition.”

“From a responder’s perspective, she has the historical knowledge, knows all employees and has great rapport with the partners, or responding agencies,” he said. “She’ll do a great job.”

CRESA recruited and hired Pendergrass as operations manager in 2004. In that position, she oversaw the day-to-day functions of the emergency dispatch center, where 9-1-1 calls are received and from where operators send police, fire and medical experts in response.

She also oversaw employee training and continuing education programs, as well as performance quality assurance and accreditation for the agency and dispatchers.

Earlier, Pendergrass – a certified Emergency Medical Technician – served as supervisor of American Medical Response’s regional dispatch center in Portland. She also worked as AMR’s communications director, securing National Academy of Emergency Dispatchers certification for the center.

Pendergrass began her career in Grant’s Pass, Ore. as a dispatcher for Josephine County. During her 23 years with the county, she also served as the sheriff’s administrative assistant, managing employees and a $12 million budget. She later was administrator for the records and dispatch divisions as well as interim 9-1-1 director.

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Contact: Don Chaney, chair, CRESA executive board, (360) 834-3242

30 Days, 30 Ways Contest Winners Announced

September was National Preparedness Month and among the many activities that the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) hosted, one of the most revealing events was hosted online in a preparedness game called 30 Days, 30 Ways.

In this game, contestants were asked to complete 1-3 simple preparedness tasks every single day during the month of September. When CRESA hosted this game in 2010, 608 preparedness tasks were completed. In 2011, nearly 2,000 preparedness questions & tasks were answered or completed.

People played this game from all over the world including New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and from many states within the United States.
This year, the game was hosted on its own website at http://www.30days30ways.com/, had its own Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/30days30ways and its own Twitter Account @30Days_30Ways. This allowed CRESA’s regular social media accounts to continue to post specific and local information about other events throughout Clark County, Washington.

There were 98 points possible within the 30 days of the game. And while everyone who played or considered the tasks was a winner to CRESA, here is the list of the 8 participants who scored the most points and won prizes:

1. Heather Zager (Renton, WA) won a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card
2. Tippy Rutherford (Portland, OR) won a $20 Gift Card to See’s Candies
3. Karen Trumbull (Vancouver, WA) won a $20 Gift Card to See’s Candies
4. Caroline Milligan (New Zealand) won a book entitled Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook
5. Adam Mayer (Vancouver, WA) won a book entitled The Survivor’s Club
6. “Drew” (unclaimed so far) won an Emergency Essentials Premier Bottled Kit
7. Chuck Westbrook (Vancouver, WA) won an Emergency Essentials Premier Bottled Kit
8. Kevin Coughlin (Woodinville, WA) won 1 pound of chocolate from See’s Candies

Each of the prizes provided were donated. CRESA would like to thank CRESA staff, Clackamas County Emergency Management and the Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) of the Portland Metro Area for donating prizes and enhancing emergency preparedness through this unique way.

The tasks are still available online at http://www.30days30ways.com/ should others want to challenge themselves to see how personally prepared they are. Over the next few weeks, CRESA will share some of the great answers, ideas, and wisdom received from the players of the 2011 game.

This is a Drill



Creative Commons via atlasobscura.com

 A Hazardous Materials drill called "Operation Lethal Vapor" involving multiple patients is going to be held in the Port of Camas-Washougal (Washougal, WA) this Saturday, October 15, 2011. The drill begins at 9 AM and should be completed before noon. The public is welcome to observe the drill. Interested persons should park in the public parking area at Captain William Clark Park, at the south end of South 32nd Street, south of State Route 14, in Washougal.

The drill involves a chemical leak that exposes between 20 and 30 victim/actors (teenagers). The Regional Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Team will mitigate the chemical leak while other responders decontaminate the victim-actors and provide medical care. LifeFlight and the US Coast Guard will provide helicopters for medical transport.

The objective is to coordinate between agencies and organizations (from within and from outside the jurisdiction) that would be involved in a real-life incident and evaluate the strengths of each group, individually and as a whole, and determine where improvement is needed.

Please be mindful of road changes and Emergency Crews in the area South of Washington State Route 14 in the Port of Camas, Washougal on Saturday October 15. Thank you for your cooperation.

The following is a list of agencies and organizations who will be involved in the drill in one capacity or another:

• The Port of Camas/Washougal
• Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail
• Skamania County Fire District 4
• Skamania County Emergency Management
• Skamania County Fire District 1
• East County Fire and Rescue
• Clark County Emergency Management
• Department of Homeland Security, Region 4
• Washougal Fire Department
• Washougal Police Department
• Camas Fire Department
• Vancouver Fire Department
• CRESA - Clark County 911
• United States Coast Guard
• American Red Cross
• ARES Ham Radio Operators
• Washington State Department of Transportation
• Washougal High School Drama
• Kemira Chemical
• Silver Star Search And Rescue
• Clark College
• Georgia Pacific
• Local Emergency Planning Commission

Contact Info: Lt. William Prince, Skamania County Fire District #4
Phone: (360) 837-1203
e-mail: Lt.Prince@hotmail.com

Next Saturday is CRESA's Open House!

Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) will open its doors to the public during our annual Open House on Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.  The event will take place at 710 W. 13^th Street, Vancouver, Washington, 98660. 

It was nearly 10 years ago that the world took on new meaning for public safety and emergency responders.  Following the tragic events of September 11, new regions and partnerships were formed, grant programs created and volunteers came forward to figure out how to improve and enhance our local communities.  If you sit around a volunteer group very long, many of the volunteers will tell a story of how they got into public service because of September 11^th. 

But before 9/11/01, September has always held a special place for emergency dispatchers because the date contains 9-1-1 and falls within National Preparedness Month for the emergency management profession.  For all of these reasons, CRESA always hosts its annual party on this weekend. 

Some of the fun activities planned for children of all ages include a “thank you first responders” coloring station, face painting, creative button making, exploring homeland-security & emergency vehicles, meeting firefighters, police officers, search and rescue dogs and horses.  Local businesses have donated hot dogs, pizza, chips and beverages available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The public will have the unique opportunity to tour the 9-1-1 center and see dispatchers in action taking emergency calls.  Sneak a peek inside the workings of our Emergency Operations Center.  Subject matter experts from throughout the region will be on hand to answer all of your questions.  Interact with representatives from our Homeland Security Program, a National Weather Service Meteorologist, a county mapping expert and Amateur Radio technical experts.  Parents can also pick up free Child ID Kits. 

Enjoy lively demonstrations from police K-9 teams, SWAT, and many local skilled Search and Rescue Groups.  Explore the latest in specialized public safety vehicles including an Armored Personnel Carrier, a Heavy Rescue Vehicle, Fire Engines, Ambulances, Police Command Vehicles, and much more.  

There will even be a geocaching event this year which encourages participants to find certain markers throughout the event related to emergency preparedness.  To participate in the geocache, we would like folks to pre-register so that we can share information with you in advance of this event.  The pre-registration form for the geo-caching is located at this location by clicking HERE. 

CRESA and the participating agencies and volunteers are proud to offer this free and educational community event!  We look forward to sharing our special day with our community.  

Time to Remember, Time to Prepare

September 2011 is National Preparedness Month! 

During a disaster, who will depend on you for their safety and well-being? Perhaps your children, pets, or an aging parent, but will you be able to help them?

“No one likes to imagine the unimaginable,” said Cindy Stanley, Emergency Management Coordinator at Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA). “But your family depends on you to be prepared. By preparing now, you can improve the chances that you and your loved ones can survive the next earthquake, flood, or hazardous chemical spill.” 

Local governments and agencies in Clark County are working together to encourage families, schools, businesses, and communities to get prepared during National Preparedness Month this September. Several activities have been planned to help raise awareness of emergency preparedness. They include: 

§   Library Preparedness Events:  Four Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries will host 16 events with emergency preparedness tables in their lobbies staffed by Clark County Citizen Corps volunteers.  Come and ask questions and receive free preparedness information.  All events will be from 3p to 6p at the following locations

·   Vancouver (9/7, 9/12, 9/22, 9/28)

·   Battle Ground (9/7, 9/13, 9/22 and 9/26)

·   Cascade Park (9/8, 9/14, 9/20, 9/27)

·   Three Creeks (9/8, 9/14, 9/19, 9/27)

§   CRESA Open House is Saturday, September 10th, 11 am - 2 pm, 710 W 13^th Street, Vancouver.  Tours of the 9-1-1 Center and Emergency Operations Center will be offered to the community along with booths staffed by regional public safety partners and incredible volunteer groups from throughout the area. Stop by, enjoy a free hot dog or slice of pizza, wander the booths and see a number of great demonstrations.  Free parking is provided for this event.

§   Public Safety Complex Open House, Saturday, September 17, noon – 4 pm, 505 NW 179^th Street, Ridgefield (at the Clark County Fairgrounds).  Police dog demonstrations, auto extrication by fire personnel, fire safety house for kids, free food and more.

§   Online Preparedness Challenge:  In addition to participating in various events, CRESA will facilitate an online challenge game during the month of September called 30 Days, 30 Ways which will post a small preparedness task each day for people to consider.  If you complete the task or answer the questions, you will have met the day’s challenge.  Topics will cover many types of scenarios and hazards and will only take a few small minutes to complete. 

It’s easy, it’s fun and will encourage you to talk about preparedness at home, in your workplace and get your mind racing about all of the small ways we can become a more resilient community.  Follow along at www.30days30ways.com for more information. 

Individuals and families are encouraged to take the following steps to prepare for disasters:

§   Assemble or buy a disaster supplies kit containing at least three days of provisions in an easy–to–carry container, like a backpack or lightweight plastic container. Check stock every six months and replace expired items. Keep at least a 3-day supply of water at home, a gallon of water per person per day.

§   Create a family or household communications plan so everyone knows how to reach each other; include an out-of-area phone contact and where to meet if it’s not possible to go home.

§   Learn about available resources and what types of disasters are most likely to occur where you live, work and play. If possible, take first aid and CPR courses.

                                                                                      

National Preparedness Month is a coordinated, nationwide effort sponsored each September by the Department of Homeland Security to raise awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness and encourage individuals to take action.

For more information, contact:

• Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, http://www.cresa911.org
• Southwest Washington Red Cross, http://www.swwredcross.org
• Clark County Public Health, Emergency Preparedness and Response, http://www.clark.wa.gov/health/emergency/index.html.
• Washington State Emergency Management, http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_index.shtml
• FEMA Preparedness for People, Business & Kids  http://www.ready.gov/

Public Comments Welcome During Upcoming Accreditation Process

The Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) is scheduled for an on-site assessment as part of its program to achieve re-accreditation by verifying it meets professional standards.  

Administered by the Commission on Accreditation for LawEnforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), the accreditation program requires law enforcement and communications agencies to comply with 218 standards in the areas of policy, procedures, administration, operations and support services. 

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments by calling (360) 992-6274 on Monday, August 22, 2011 between the hours of 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.  

Comments will be taken by the assessment team. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the Agency's ability to comply with CALEA standards.

Persons wishing to submit written comment about CRESA's ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA, 22030-2215.

Accreditation lasts for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., please write the Commission at 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA, 22030-2215; or call (800) 368-3757 or (703) 352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.