Printer
TextHealth and Safety Podcast Transcript: Aug. 25, 2010
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast for Aug. 25, 2010. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency information officer. Coming up, learn about upcoming CERT classes, keeping your pets safe in case of disaster, Food Safety Education Month in Fairfax County and this year’s career firefighter of the year. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will be holding Community Emergency Response Team – or CERT– classes in September. CERT educates residents about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their neighborhood, and trains county residents in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Using the training, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. There is no charge for the training, there are no prerequisites and classes are open to all residents over 18 who live or work in Fairfax County. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcert.com.
September is National Preparedness Month – and emergency preparedness month in Fairfax County, as proclaimed by the county’s Board of Supervisors – a time to make a plan, get a kit and stay informed on ways to become better prepared. While preparing, don’t forget pets. Like your own emergency kit, the one you create for your pet should include at least three days of food, water and medications. Other items may include a first-aid kit; identification, harness or leash; a picture of you and your pet together, which will help identify your pet and document ownership should you become separated; a pet crate or carrier; familiar items, such as your pet’s favorite toys, treats or bedding; and sanitation items, such as litter and litter box, newspapers, paper towels and plastic trash bags. To learn more about family emergency preparedness for you and your pets, as well as information about utility safety, consideration for individuals with special needs, and more, visit www.fema.gov/areyouready/.
A Pre-Disaster Recovery Workshop will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center, 4890 Alliance Drive in Fairfax. Members of the business community, nonprofits and faith-based organizations are encouraged to attend to help complete a Fairfax County pre-disaster recovery plan. For more information, call the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management at 571-350-1000. You may also register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem.
The Board of Supervisors has declared September as Food Safety Education Month in Fairfax County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 76 million people experience foodborne illnesses each year, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths annually. Throughout the month of September, the Fairfax County Health Department and the local restaurant and food service industry will reinforce the proper food safety practices and procedures by focusing educational efforts on the high-risk factors that can make people sick. The Health Department encourages everyone to be food safe by taking four simple steps:
- Clean: Keep hands and utensils clean.
- Separate: Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood away from other food.
- Cook: You can’t tell it’s done by how it looks, so use a food thermometer.
- Chill: A 40-degree fridge keeps bacteria from spreading.
Learn more by visiting www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/food.
Finally, congratulations to Captain David P. Conrad of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, who has been selected as the 2010 Career Firefighter of the Year. A 28-year veteran of the department, Conrad also is a 13-year member of Virginia Task Force 1, Fairfax County's Urban Search and Rescue Team.
That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. And remember, if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.
Website Survey 