It Was a Beautiful Day to Save a Life

Okay, so we didn't really have to save a life... at least not today.  And the hardest part of this three hour class on a sunny Saturday was that it was sunny and we were inside playing hurt and dead victims!

Saturday's CERT lesson was the medical side of a disaster.  Triage.  We learned that in an emergency situation, we have about five seconds to assess a person before moving on to the next.  Five seconds.  Five seconds to determine if a life is worth saving or not.

Our instructor Mike Lopez and Lion Mike Norton

Lion Mike N. demonstrated a classic broken arm and we learned how to secure one in place.

We learned the three "killers" of an accident--breathing obstruction, excessive bleeding, and shock and how to identify and treat each one.

I'm glad that in the case of a natural disaster we will be working in teams of two to four.  One will be taking notes.  I think that one will be me!

These classes are designed to help in the case of a natural disaster or act of terrorism.  Our training isn't over with these classes but we will attend monthly meetings and participate in future training courses if we so desire.  I have to say that going through these classes is making me more confident to react in any kind of incident.  And that's a good thing.

We Serve!
Lion Nancy

FIRE!

We were told it would be a kitchen fire....  It was not....

Lions Becky and Mike Allison waiting for their turn at fire suppression.

This is our second CERT class (Community Emergency Response Training).  We learned how to put fires out!  Lions Mike and Becky Allison had no problem putting a Class A fire out -- wood -- using a fire extinguisher filled with water.  I have to agree that this was pretty easy.

We have certain commands to use going into a fire and coming back out.  You'll notice Lion Becky (below) is not taking her eyes off the fire, while Lion Mike A. is guiding her out with his hand on her shoulder.

As a member of CERT, our number one priority is to stay safe!  I have to agree!  If we can't put a fire out in five seconds, we're to leave the scene.

We also learned to NEVER do this alone, that we always work with a buddy.  The two of us walk into the fire together, both with a fire extinguisher in hand, and the two of us walk back out together.  One member always keeping an eye on the fire (as they walk backwards) and the other person guiding them with their hand on their shoulder. As Lions Mike and Becky are doing above.

Lions Mike Norton, Mike and Becky Allison

From here we moved to a Class B fire.... fuel.  Lion Mike N. had no problem putting his fire out but I have to say that guiding him back away from the fire wasn't as easy as you'd think.  He's walking backwards and you're trying to guide him around debris on the ground, stepping over things all the while trying not to lose contact with your buddy.  This might take practice!   We'll turn all the lights off in the house and throw some grandkid toys around the place and see how we do!

I was nicknamed Mrs. Murphy as in... .if something could go wrong....   Three extinguishers later, squirting the instructor in the face.... not being able to squeeze the handles to spray.... not getting the fire extinguisher to STOP spraying, and after much frustration, the fire was put out.

Lions Nancy and Mike Norton taking their turn.

But tell me, does THIS look like a small kitchen fire???

I think not!  This was the fire I had to put out!  Needless to say, it was a little out of my comfort zone.... but with the help of the instructor, Lion Mike N., three attempts later, and pure determination.... I won the fight!

This training will give us an opportunity and the confidence to help our family and neighbors in the event of an emergency.  If a house is on fire down the road, we can be the first people on-scene.  We can assess the situation, put small fires out, do light search and rescue if need be, provide any basic medical attention, and report what we've found to the responders when they arrive.

Remember, if you're ever in the situation of having to use a fire extinguisher.... PASS.  Pull the pin.  Aim. Squeeze the handle.  Sweep.  You sweep the fire extinguisher at the BASE of the fire, not the top where the flames are.

I hope you learned something from this exercise.  I did.  In an emergency situation, I think we'll do just fine.

We Serve!
Lion Nancy

I Repeat, This is NOT a Test....

If there was a natural disaster or emergency in town.... or in Seattle because that could affect us... would you be prepared?  Would you and your family manage? Would you survive?  If the answer to any of these is "no," then, what do you need to do about it? And if you were able to answer "yes" to any of these, are you in a position to help your family and neighbors?

The City and Borough of Juneau (in partnership with other agencies) is presently giving a course titled, Community Emergency Response Team Basic Training (CERT).  A few of us Lions are taking it (Lions Mike and Becky Allison and Lion Mike Norton and myself).  It's a 14 hour course over the month of April. At the end will be a simulation exercise to show off everything we learned and a graduation at the end of the month.

CERT is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), within the Department of Homeland Security.  So we know this is serious business!  We are learning the basic skills to help respond to our community's immediate needs in the aftermath of a disaster.  We will make sure our family is safe, assess our home for immediate problems, then head out to assess our neighborhoods.  We will work with a buddy and as a team.  We will be the "bridge" between the community and the professional responders until they can arrive (police, firemen, etc.), assessing potential problems, dangers, and situations and then report back.
Courses include an overview of the potential disasters we might encounter in Juneau, how we can be more prepared, basic fire suppression (we get to put a fire out!), medical operations/triage, light search and rescue, terrorism, the emotional and psychology of a disaster, and a simulated disaster exercise.

So far we've only had one class and it was very interesting.  We learned about working together and how we can start getting prepared.  I've been working on my "grab and go" bag and making my list of supplies we still need in our pantry.  We learned we should have an out-of-town contact to be in touch with immediately following a disaster to let them know how we are.  We also learned that even though cell towers might be down and the phone system out, we can still send a text message.

We came home with our own CERTS backpack filled with all kinds of necessities--hard hat, security vest, duck tape, flashlight, masks, goggle, wrench, crowbar, utility knife, first aid kit and so much more.  I'm so excited to FINALLY have my OWN crowbar!  Hee hee!

Seriously, this is a program more people should get involved with.  I believe the next one will be held this coming October.  Meanwhile, we can also check with the local Red Cross to see what volunteer training/programs they have available.  Juneau is such a small town.... the people here are our family and friends.  We never know when the next disaster might hit, how hard it will hit, or who it will hit.  Let's get prepared Juneau!

We Serve!
Lion Nancy

Four Years of Service

Two of our Lions are celebrating four years of Lionism today....  Any guesses?

They're married, but they weren't married at the time....
He's in construction....
She owns our favorite card store in Juneau....
They are strong volunteers....

If you said Joe and Marilyn Molburg, you're right!  Today marks four years that they made the decision to join the Mendenhall Flying Lions.  Their sponsor is Lion Neil A.

Lions Joe and Marilyn being inducted by Lion Neil.

Lions Joe and Marilyn are great volunteers who love helping at the barbecue and auction every year, selling holly, helping at the 4th of July concessions booth, picking up trash along the roadway, etc., etc., etc.

Lions Joe, Tommy, and Marilyn

Lion Joe has been our Vice President, is our current Treasurer, and will be our 1 Year Director for 2014-15.

We love that Lions Joe and Marilyn love to volunteer and look forward to their participation for many more years to come!  Thank you for your service!  

We Serve!
Lion Nancy

National Volunteer Week

April 6-12 is National Volunteer Week.  President Obama's proclamation states, in part, "Through countless acts of kindness, generosity, and service, Americans recognize that we are all bound together -- that we move this country forward by giving of ourselves to others and caring for those around us."

Food Drive 2013.  Lions Allen, Becky, and Mike N.

This is a time for us to shine!  It's a time to demonstrate to the nation what Lions are all about!  What can you do this week to help someone?  What can we do as a club to make a difference?

This week take the time to look for ways you can make a difference.  It doesn't have to be something big or time consuming....  Maybe an elderly person needs help crossing the street or your child's school could use a volunteer for a project.  There's a lot of trash showing up along the roadways of Juneau, maybe walk around the block with a trash bag in hand.  There's a food donation box at Vintage Fare in the Nugget Mall that could use some food donations.   You get my drift.  It doesn't take much to help someone, to make a difference.

So come on!  This is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service!  Let us know how you served this week!  Click on the word "Comment" at the bottom of this post and leave us a note on your service this week.

We Serve!
Lion Nancy

Helping the Local Food Bank

The Rotarians of Juneau had a food drive yesterday to benefit the local food bank.... three locations.... three school busses to fill.  Well, 7,000 plus pounds later.... it's all unloaded and sorted and put away.

Lion Soapy Lingle

Three of us took a couple hours out of our Sunday to help unload the goods.  Thanks to Lions Soapy and Mike N. for their time today.  It's always a fun event regardless of whether it's 600 pounds or 7,000 pounds of food we're helping to sort.  This food doesn't last long though....  any perishables are handed out on Saturday mornings to the community (which consists of about 80 individuals who come to the food bank to fill their cupboards).  The dry goods all go to the local churches and other organizations that will distribute to the needy.

Lions Soapy and Mike N.

Helping out at the Southeast Alaska Food Bank helps so many people... maybe even a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or a co-worker.  This is a good thing.

The next food drive is Saturday, April 19.  Anyone is welcome to join us sort and put food away!  See you then!

We Serve!
Lion Nancy

Blankets Blankets Blankets

You all remember our Lions Packs project....  After reading an editorial in our local newspaper last August about foster care children entering into the "system" with often nothing but the clothes on their back, we immediately took action to rectify this. We now provide a backpack to every child that enters into the Foster Care Program that includes a few items of necessity and comfort to help them through the first 12/24 hours.  Items include toiletries, a book, maybe a baby doll or a truck for small kids.  We also try to provide a soft, comfy blanket.  After all, what gives more comfort than cuddling up in a nice, soft blanket?

Last week Lion Mike Norton and myself delivered another 22 blankets to Office of Children Services.  Kathy was thrilled to get them and said they would take whatever we could give them.  Most of these were "tag" blankets.... two pieces of polar fleece material tied together.  So simple to make that even a child could do!

So... come on Lions.... do you have a special talent for knitting, crocheting, quilting, or tieing knots?  Do you have some spare time now and then?  Would you like to help make blankets?  We can get a group together now and then and each do our own blanket. They can be any size, but mostly a size to cuddle with, to wrap around your shoulders.  

If you'd like to help, let me know!! It doesn't need to take a huge commitment of time, just a desire to help.  I'd appreciate your help.  

We Serve!
Lion Nancy