The security of children at school

I had the recent opportunity to instruct CPR & First Aid at a school district in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Pa.  As I do for many of the school districts I teach for, I tailored the course specifically for the security guards that worked at the school.  As I moved into the first aid portion of the course, I was alarmed to find out many disturbing things regarding security at this school.  The purpose of this blog is not to call attention to this particular district, but hopefully to open some eyes to what may be a nationwide problem within the school system regarding school security.

In light of all of the recent school shootings our country has come to be familiar with, I asked a simple question to the security guards.  "What do you think would be the most common injuries if a shooting would take place at your school?"  I was expecting to hear the obvious: gun shot wounds, blood loss, shock, etc.  But it seemed that question opened Pandora's box from some very concerned and angry security guards, who are charged with the safety and well being of the students.  Replies were not in answer to my question, but generalized statements of anger about the state of school security in their school district, as well as a few others.

1.  A recent cut in the school budget has reduced the security staff by HALF.  At this particular school district, that's 4 security guards to be responsible for 64 school doors.  WOW!!!

2.  These particular guards make $14 per hour and during a recent training session they were asked to find the "fake bomb".  When asked this question, the guards replied, "I make $14 per hour, call the police or the bomb squad to find the bomb."  

3.  During another recent training session they had a local police chief come into the school to fire a .45 filled with blanks (obviously on an in service day) so that the guards understood exactly what a gun shot might sound like from various parts of the building.  Great idea, however the guards stated again what they were being paid and due to not having enough guards, they would not be interested in wrestling a gun out of a shooters hand and would have no problem heading for the door to be the first out of the building.

4.  Families in the district are being lied to by school administration.  They stated to me that letters have been sent to the families indicating that all doors are monitored by security cameras.  The guards tell a different story.  Not all doors are monitored by cameras and certain hallways within the school have blind spots.  When one of the guards questioned school administration about this problem, he was suspended.

So having said that, I walked away from the training session shaking my head in disbelief.  In this day and age, we live in a country where potentially the safety and security of children is a line item in the school's budget that is up for negotiating.  In this district's case, it was severely cut, thus affecting the well being of children campus wide.  

The message that needs to be delivered is that THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF CHILDREN CAN NEVER BE NEGOTIATED.  I am quite sure that those tasked with the financial well being of a school district can make cuts somewhere else.  To learn this has made me feel an anger I have not known in a very long time.  No school district anywhere should have to suffer a financial impact when it coms to safeguarding the well being of children of any age.  Ok, end of rant.....

Baby Jax's Journey

Disaster Preparedness: The must have mindset for everyone

In light of the recent tragedies this week in Boston and Waco, one should start to realize perhaps those people on those prepper TV shows aren't crazy after all.  Granted we are talking about two totally different emergency scenarios, but it seems in the past few years there is a strong call for public awareness on the topic of "Disaster Preparedness".

Disasters come in all shapes and sizes and no one or no geographical area is really immune to the destruction they can cause.  From weather, to terrorism, to accidents, it is clear that when an emergency strikes, there are things you can already have in place.  I won't bore anyone with pack lists or survival tips.  After all, that information is available by doing a simple google search.  What I want you to focus on is this.  Disaster preparedness has to include the attempt to create a "As close to normal life" scenario as you can make for you and your family.  I have the benefit of the doubt here.  I work in this field and constantly live in this mind set.  The problem, is that most of you don't and in addition to the physical destruction of life and property, there is a huge mental trauma that is suffered by those affected by disasters in general.  People are used to waking up to an alarm clock, popping in their K-Cup, watching the news, taking a hot shower and have a decent breakfast and then going to work.  When a disaster strikes, you are totally lifted out of your "routine", which to many, can cause mental trauma.

Consider the folks in Waco, just last evening - given just minutes to evacuate their community and "get out of Dodge".  If you received that call, would those few minutes be in panic trying to scramble for supplies and clothing or would it be a calm grabbing or pre-made backpacks with those items that you and your family need? The choice is yours.  When preparing your packs or bags or whatever works for you, consider those items that will help with the mental trauma of having to relocate to a hotel 50 miles away for upwards of 48-72 hours.  If your 12 yr old daughter is an avid fan of crayons and coloring books, then you better be sure you have an extra set of crayons and a coloring book to keep her mind at ease.  You get the point right?  Walk around your house and find all of those items that clutter the house and put them in packs.  Don't forget to add other items for each family member that are relevant to them.  Each member of your family should have a disaster bag for just such an occasion.  Also consider having a dedicated bag of non-perishable food items and medical supplies.  After all, Fido likes treats and toys too.

There are so many "Bug Out" type scenarios I could cover.  I hope that some of this info helps everyone realize the need to prepare.  That "5 minute" bug out scenario does not have to be panic and chaos.  Remember, what you do today, makes tomorrow easier.  Stay safe & prepared, and God Bless all those affected by these recent disasters.

Preparing for Doomsday

Here is an article I was featured in from a local newspaper regarding The Mayan End of Days.

Doomsday ... DUN-DUN-DUN

Previous Next

B

Posted: Sunday, December 16, 2012 11:45 pm | Updated: 7:49 am, Mon Dec 17, 2012.

By Jenny Wagner jwagner@timesonline.com |0 comments

Are you ready for the apocalypse?

If you’ve been as busy as we have hanging holiday decorations and shopping for presents, chances are you haven’t had any time to think about the impending day of doom, let alone prepare for it.

But don’t worry, we’ve covered the end of the world before. (Remember last year when the leader of a Christian sect in California predicted May 21 was Judgment Day?)

And we’ve got you covered this week. (Just in case the predictions about the Mayan calendar are right.)

Countless theories have bounced around the web for years about how the world will end or be dramatically altered on Friday, and most stem from an interpretation that the long-count Mesoamerican calendar used by ancient civilizations in Latin America comes to a halt on Dec. 21, 2012.

Numerous scientists have discredited the idea, but some believers claim that a rogue planet will collide with Earth, or the rotation of the globe will suddenly shift or some other major disaster will lead to our utter demise.

On its website, NASA posted frequently asked questions and answers about the anticipated apocalypse in order to reassure the public that the world will not end this year.

“For any claims of disaster or dramatic changes in 2012, where is the science? Where is the evidence? There is none, and for all the fictional assertions, whether they are made in books, movies, documentaries or over the Internet, we cannot change that simple fact,” the scientists wrote.

Paul Falavolito doesn’t believe the world is coming to an end either, but he knows a thing or two about dealing with disasters.

“Some people believe that next week, ‘Hey my wife’s going to turn into a zombie!’ But to me, I don’t subscribe to the idea that the world is going to end on any specific day,” the White Oak resident said.

But through his job as chief of White Oak EMS, Falavolito sees disasters and emergencies happen every day, and he believes in being prepared for such events.

The “domestic prepper” — not to be confused with the “doomsday preppers,” who you may have seen on the television show of the same name — has put a lot of time and money into his own preparedness, and he offered up a few tips for those who might be feeling increasingly nervous as Friday approaches.

“I think the biggest thing that harms people in any disaster is that sudden change of lifestyle,” Falavolito said. “You’re used to 70 degrees and three meals a day that are hot, but now all of a sudden you’re ripping open an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) that the military hands out.”

To avoid the initial shock, Falavolito suggests new preppers start by walking around their homes to evaluate the things they will need in the event of a disaster.

“Ask yourself, ‘If I lose power in my house for 72 hours or more what are the things that I need to have on hand to restore my life to how it would be with power?’” he said.

Flashlights, non-parishable or canned foods, and a way to cook and/or heat water are good places to start. Medical supplies, blankets and means of protection are also important to consider.

And just in case zombies do take over on Friday, Falavolito suggests opening all those carefully-wrapped presents on Thursday night and getting a vehicle that can navigate all kinds of terrain and outrun the undead.

Fighting zombies and battling the rush at the grocery store isn’t for everyone though, so we also have some suggestions for other ways to prepare.

Some local bars, such as Tinker’s in Crescent Township, are planning to go out with a bang at End of the World parties. You could also celebrate with the band Downfall, for their final performance Friday at the Fallout Shelter in Aliquippa.

It may also be fun just to kick back in your favorite spot and wait to see what happens. We recommend stocking up on the appropriately-named Rapture IPA from Helltown Brewing in Mount Pleasant.

Owner Shawn Gentry said the hoppy beer goes well with spicy foods, and is best enjoyed while hanging out with friends and family.

And since you won’t have to worry about heartburn or a hangover on Saturday, it sounds like a good plan to us.

United Airlines Flight 93

I decided to post my journal from the time I spent as a First Responder for Flight 93.  This was published in the One Year 9/11 Anniversary Edition of Emergency Medical Services Magazine.

15 September 2001

Shanksville, Somerset County, Pa

United Flight 93 Crash Site

To my family and friends;

Because I know all of you are curious and many of you will ask, I am preparing this document to send to all of you.  From my brief time here I already know that this is something that will live with me forever. I was told that a team of NAVY SEALS came in yesterday heavily armed and escorted a truck full of debris out of here.  This is a very tense place.  I can already feel the tremendous pain associated with this duty.  This is why I am sending this to you all, I already know this is something I do not ever want to talk about and I know for sure I must not ever re-visit these feelings.

Upon my arrival at the site, we were greeted by a barrier of PA state police cars on a rural road in this town.  To each side were nothing but farmland and a few associated homes, each displaying the American Flag.  At the checkpoint we showed our Id’s and were allowed through.  The next two miles I could not believe my feelings and my eyes.  Down this country road police cars and troopers were everywhere.  Open fires were burning with smoke filling the air.  Flags were hanging from branches, fences, anything that would hold them.  Troopers were huddled around the fires getting warm, horse back troopers were everywhere patrolling the area, hundreds of American flags lined the road on both sides, check points were everywhere.  I could hear someone talking on a loud speaker and could hear his voice echoing in the hills.  This was a very scary feeling, I felt like I was in another country.  I could not believe this was Pennsylvania, I could not believe this madness was in my state, my homeland.  This was something out of a movie, it reminded me of the movie Red Dawn hearing that voice on the PA system and seeing the open fires.  We passed the media area and you could imagine the hundreds of tents, cameras, reporters, etc all in place.  Memorials and small shrines are all over the area as well as many signs and flags. Passenger family members are here placing pictures and personal effects in the area. Finally at the medical trailer (which resembled a small RV) I was able to finally stow my gear and get ready for the shift.  The trailer is located on top of the hill overlooking the crash site.  I still don’t have the courage to go and look over the hill.  Outside in the dusty gravel parking lot are porta potties, Red Cross trucks, state police, FBI vehicles, NTSB personnel, etc.  This place is crawling with everything and everyone you could imagine from the biggest action movie.  Just behind the medical trailer is a small landing zone for helicopters.  I think I have seen 3 in the one-hour I have been here.  This is where I will remain for my shift with periodical drives through the site on small John Deere Quads checking to see if everyone is OK.  Right now I am waiting to go get photographed for my ID from the FBI for access to this area.  This site will remain open  24/7 for the next 5-7 weeks.  

In the medical trailer we have all the equipment of a small field ER.  We even have a telephone, small bathroom and Verizon is right now installing a dedicated phone line for Internet access (this makes me very happy).  I am working today with a retired police officer and a nurse from a local hospital.  Together we will be providing any medical care as well as CISM (critical incident stress management) for the workers and family members that are overcome with their loss and emotion.

Over at the photo ID center there are 4 or 5 Red Cross trucks that have put outside several tables of food.  It actually looks like a mobile Sheetz store.  Boxes of every kind of fruit, snacks, and candy.  Crate after crate of soda, water and juice.  They are cooking real food as well for everyone.  

I finally went to the overlook and saw the crash site.  It looks just like you see it on TV.  I can see lots of heavy equipment, workers in decontamination suits, and lots of police guarding the site.  Near the overlook they are leveling a section of land and paving it so family will have a suitable place to park and leave articles in remembrance.  There are already flowers, cards and teddy bears near where the workers are starting to pave.  It really hit home when I saw that one family of a flight attendant left a piece of poster board with a collage of pictures of their daughter.  She is a very beautiful woman in her late 20’s.  Now there is a face to place with all this evil and once again I am angry and sad at the same time. She looks so peaceful in these photos with her family and friends.  I think one picture is of her daughter and her husband, how sad.  I cannot believe she was apart of this mess.  

On the front porch of the trailer, the sights and sounds continue all day long.  The sound of heavy trucks hauling equipment, the occasional smell of jet fuel, the helicopters flying by, all the federal agents.  This again almost feels like a dream, but it is not.  It is too real.  Workers are already coming into the medical trailer for minor things like cuts and bumps.  I think deep inside they come here because it is not the crash site, it is there release to be able to be away even for the slightest of moments.  We provide them a place to come and talk, to vent and sometimes to cry.  I am happy to be apart of that, but wish it could be under different circumstances.

Lunch was awesome, cheeseburgers and salad.  I will say this and this is something that is drastically overlooked.  In my career as a paramedic people always come to me and ask, “How do you do it” and “You’re a hero”, I hope after this tragedy is over no one ever asks me that or says that to me again.  Aside from all the volunteers, fireman, workers, etc, I personally don’t know how The American Red Cross does it.  Think about it, they are there for EVERY disaster, every fire, every upending of families life’s, etc.  I could not handle seeing the shrine for the stewardess; they handle entire families, entire communities, all the time.  It is amazing the strength they have.  They definitely deserve the handshake and the pat on the back.  They are all hero’s.

The state police just escorted some family through the site and then flew them over the crash site by chopper.  I can only imagine what they must see from up there and how it makes them feel.  I do not want to know.  Our boss at the medical trailer just told us the local fire dept just went into the crash site because they found a big piece of the body of the plane and they needed the Jaws of Life to open it.  I am sure we all know the terror they will find inside when they cut it open.

One of the most touching and moving events I witnessed was when the FBI raised the flag that was flying over the White House on September 11^th over this crash site.  A memorial service is planned for Sunday September 16^th overlooking the crash site.  I am sure it will be a heart-wrenching event.  

In closing, I know this for sure.  I will definitely come back a different man with different views, all for the good I hope.  Makes you want to be a bit nicer to everyone you take for granite each day.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Paul Falavolito

Paramedic, White Oak EMS

Shanksville, Pa Crash Site 

United Airlines Flight 93

No Easy Day - The Firsthand Account Of The Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden BOOK REVIEW

I will start of by saying I was very excited to read this book when I first heard about it a month or so ago.  I was excited at the thought of hearing all about the mission that finally killed "OBL" but even more, I was hoping to see the picture of him dead.  This won't be your typical book review that most of you are accustomed to reading.  I don't review books professionally for anyone nor do I claim to be an expert in publishing, etc....you get the point!!!  What I am is a man that has dedicated my life to helping others.  I have been involved with para military groups, military, public safety, and  Search & Rescue groups for the better part of the past 25 years.  So you can say, "Yeah, I wanted the details of this mission and the photo the world didn't get to see."  What I wasn't expecting was the fact that this book was going to be released without the permission from The Pentagon, Navy, Seal Teams, DOD, and POTUS.  That is where I start to have a problem.

I downloaded the book on release day to my iPad and began the read.  The beginning chapters were interesting, but it certainly wasn't "Rogue Warrior" if you know what I mean.  Perhaps that was the caution that the author used or maybe I just didn't find the material in the beginning chapters overly exciting from what I already knew.

I am not going to give away details in case some of you have not read the book.  The mission details of OBL were pretty cool but again not overly dramatic as I thought it was going to be.  After all CNN & Fox described this mission much differently than the author describes it.  It was obvious to me now what the media was trying to do at the direction of The White House...  Basically another cover up....who's surprised?  I have to wonder after reading this that if classified information was released, ( I think there was) was it really worth the legal battle that the author now faces.  If it were me, I would have walked away from the whole thing saying, "Let the media think what they want"  "I know the truth and what the media is saying isn't even close".  But who am I after all to dispute this?  This is one legal war I am happy that I won't have to deal with.  I hope for both sides that this matter gets resolved quickly.  I don't like the fact that in the good ol' U.S. of A that we may have just released a "How to better cover your tracks" manifesto for any terrorist group.  They don't need us telling them how to fool us in the future of doing a better job of what they do.  My 2 cents......

What is it about weather?

What is it about weather that is so fascinating.  The eerie images from Hurricane Isaac the past few days have consumed us all, glued to the television for hours, watching and waiting for that next destructive image.  So sad and heartbreaking but at the time so fascinated that you simply cannot pull away from it. 

 I will admit that I am consumed by significant weather events and I can't state a rational reason why I find it so exciting.  I cringe at the loss of damage and property, yet I am so fueled by the images and having the chance to be part of it.  Last year I responded as part of my job to Hurricane Irene in New York.  It was an amazing experience.  A few years earlier again I found myself working in the snow blizzard that affected Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties.  Again so heart pounding and exciting.  But what is it about weather that makes ordinary people infatuated with mother natures wrath? 

 These images are amazing.  Not amazing that I think they are cool and that I would wallpaper them all over my computer or iPhone, but amazing in the sense that this can happen anytime, anywhere to all of us.  And at the core we all realize how small of a world we live in and how these weather disasters will effect us for many years to come.  Let this be the great wake up call and call to action for all us to get prepared, prepared for the very worst that life can send our way.  I sincerely hope that all effected by this storm will overcome the great hurdles that lay in their way.

Images from www.weather.com