The introduction of several new, state-of-the-art life-saving technologies as well as reminders about existing safety programs, all designed to help ensure the well-being of Villagers, were featured at the VHA’s “Staying Alive” educational seminar, Thursday evening at La Hacienda Recreation Center.
The program featured presentations by Sumter County Deputy Sheriff Richard Bennett; David Casto, the emergency management director of Sumter County; Stephen Kennedy, Sumter County’s public safety director and 911 coordinator; Lt. John Longacre, the emergency response specialist with the Villages’ Public Safety Department; and Nehemiah Wolfe, director of The Villages’ Community Watch.
Joan Testa, VHA regional Vice President and the evening’s emcee set the evening’s goal. “As we ‘keep the dream alive’ here in The Villages and get older, I want peace of mind knowing that if something happens to me or to my environment, there will be someone who will help me take care of myself.”
Deputy Bennett led off the program by encouraging Villagers to obtain his department’s ‘Vial of Life,’ and the place the canister, with personal and medical information, on their refrigerator’s door. A decal will direct first responders so they can immediately respond.
He also suggested that families with someone who may wander off, such as those with Alzheimer’s, request a specially-designed ‘swab kit.’ The remaining scent would facilitate a ‘coon’ dog’s ability to track the missing person.
Bennett was followed by Nehemiah Wolfe who invited the audience to utilize Community Watch services such as ‘Adult Watch’ that routinely calls residents to check on their health status. In addition, residents, away from The Villages for extended periods, can request patrols to routinely check their homes for problems from signs of burglary to lawn sprinkler damage.
In addition, patrol staff made 7,600 calls, last year, to residents whose garages has been left open between midnight and 4 a.m. that posed an invitation to burglary or uninvited animals.
Wolfe stressed the need for everyone to update their personal contact information that may have changed since moving to The Villagers, or those who now living alone. Immediate access to this information will expedite the Department’s assistance to law enforcement first responders. These forms are available at the District offices in Sumter Landing or at the Community Watch headquarters on Bonita Avenue.
“One day, Sumter County will be hit, again, by a strong hurricane,” forecasts David Casto. “Irma was a weak one! Also, all of Florida is in a flood zone – even if you are not required to carry flood insurance. Therefore, it’s imperative to have a flood policy because water –not wind — causes the most damage.”
Also essential is a personal disaster plan, he advocated. The County’s preparedness guide of essential items and recommended, pre-event tasks is available at www.sumterprepares.com.
Next was Stephen Kennedy who described the nation’s obsolete, 50-year-old 911 emergency system and its reliance on land-line telephone lines to locate callers’ addresses. However, the prevalent use of mobile phones has created new difficulties especially for users unable to verbally communicate. At best, first responders could only ‘triangulate’ the signal to a proximate location.
He described the new Smart911 — the free, national database “designed to bridge the gap in technology.” The system was recently implemented in Sumter County and throughout the United States. The public inputs relevant information that would facilitate the request for assistance with the 911 operator – essential if the caller is unable to communicate, and also expedite the response of first responders.
Last presenter was John Longacre. He urged neighborhoods to implement AED (automated external defibrillator) groups and underwrite their expense. These devices, used by trained residents, have been credited with saving the lives of nine Villagers when they were in cardiac arrest.
Longacre also reminded residents to routinely replace their smoke detectors’ batteries, He invited those unable to climb a ladder – or should not climb a ladder – to call the Public Safety Office.
Its fulltime staff member or a fireman, during a scheduled appointment, will make the exchange. Longacre also advocated for the installation of carbon monoxide detectors. The reason: a resident inadvertently leaves a car running in the attached garage. Longacre, during his 15 year career in The Villages, has seen four deaths due to the poisonous gas seeping into the home.
At the program’s end, Joan Testa announced that the VHA would conduct a similar program for Villagers in Marion County, tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 18, 2 p.m. at Paradise Recreation Center.
