Transcript: Health and Safety Podcast

Health and Safety Podcast

March 20, 2024

Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast. Coming up, learn about a new “Introduction to Preparedness” eLearning course, virtual and in-person emergency preparedness workshops, keeping yourself and loved ones safe from phone scams and fraud, and upcoming sobriety checkpoints. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

Our Department of Emergency Management and Security is excited to announce that our first public-facing eLearning course, “Introduction to Preparedness,” is now available online under a new tab on the Ready Fairfax webpage titled Community Preparedness Training, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/readyfairfax. This course is designed to complement the county’s Community Emergency Response Guide.

Speaking of emergency management, did you know that you can request an Emergency Preparedness Workshop? DEMS conducts workshops (virtual or in person) to prepare your networks for an emergency. Submit your request online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergencymanagement/presentation-requests. There are several workshops to choose from, including:

  • Introduction to Preparedness (online or in person)
  • Until Help Arrives
  • 5 Step Neighborhood Guide Workshop – Learn how to prepare for where you live!
  • Business Disaster Resilience Workshop – Learn how to prepare your business!
  • House of Worship Workshop – Learn how to prepare your house of worship.
  • Youth Preparedness (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, schools, etc.).

The Fairfax County Police Department urges community members, particularly seniors, to remain vigilant and follow these essential tips to protect themselves from falling victim to phone scams and fraud:

  • Just HANG UP: If an unsolicited call comes from an unknown number just hang up.
  • Verify Caller Identities: Always confirm the identity of the person or organization contacting you; hang up and call the institution by using their known contact information from official websites, official bills, invoices, etc. Major companies will never call you on the phone and ask for any kind of payment.
  • Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls: Anyone who calls you on the phone, requires you to stay on the phone, and asks for payments with gift cards of any kind should be considered suspicious and it is likely a scam. Other fraud indicators are requests for money through wire transfers or deposits into Bitcoin ATMs.
  • Consult with Family or Friends: Before making any financial decisions, especially those involving large sums or unfamiliar technologies, consult with trusted family members or friends.
  • Don't Share Personal Information: Never share personal or financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call and are certain of the recipient's legitimacy.
  • Use Trusted Platforms: When dealing with Bitcoin or other digital currencies, use reputable and well-established platforms for transactions.
  • Beware of Phishing: Beware of emails or pop-ups claiming you must click a link, call a number, or open an attachment. These emails often convey a sense of urgency or even a threat of some kind. Report the email as spam and delete it.

For additional tips and more information, visit our police blog at fcpdnews.wordpress.com.

Meanwhile, our police department is committed to ensuring the safety of our community by conducting sobriety checkpoints across district stations throughout the year. These checkpoints, hosted by the DUI squad and district stations, will take place between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. The primary goal is to identify and remove impaired drivers from the streets, contributing to safer roadways. The checkpoints will not only safeguard our community, but also serve as educational opportunities for drivers, ultimately preventing potential tragedies. Visit the police blog for dates and details on sobriety saturation patrols and checkpoints, keeping in mind that dates and times may be subject to change. Visit fcpdnews.wordpress.com for more.

Finally, get emergency preparedness information and emergency news on our emergency blog. You can also sign up for email updates from the blog. Check it out and keep up to date with emergency news and information, including our weekly “Prep Tip Tuesday” article at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog.

That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Va., 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.

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