Preparedness Programs at Suffolk County Libraries

In their continuing efforts to provide communities with the latest information about health and safety issues, the Public Libraries of Suffolk County are currently presenting programs on disaster and emergency preparedness.

Parents and their young children recently attended the “Red Cross Ready” class at the Brentwood Public Library. Red Cross Ready is designed to provide families with the information necessary to survive a fire or natural disaster such as an earthquake, tornado or severe storm.  The facilitator, Brentwood Library staff member and Red Cross representative Celia Vollmer, informed the children as to what they would include in an emergency kit, with each child receiving a kit of his or her own to take home.

The children were asked if they could identify the best way to get out of their house in case of a fire. To help answer the question, each child drew a diagram of their home so they could picture what door or window would give them the best chance to exit quickly and safely.

Calling for help was next on the agenda. The finer points of contacting 911 were discussed, including making sure the children knew their telephone number, address, and their parents’ names (as opposed to just “mommy” and “daddy”). 

First aid was addressed as Ms. Vollmer demonstrated bandaging an injured person and preparing a sling. Both parent and child practiced bandaging each other and on training manikins.  One little girl was overheard telling her mother that preparing for an emergency was fun. Still another told her father that she could help her little brother get out of the house in case of a fire. A parent mentioned that she was grateful the library provides programs like this to the community and that she brings her children to as many as possible.

 “Infant and Child CPR” is another preparedness class that is being presented in Suffolk County Libraries. In East Northport Lori Green, RN recently facilitated this program for a group of 15 people that included expectant mothers, parents, a grandmother and a teacher.  While one mom comforted her nine-week infant daughter, Nurse Green provided a short physiological lesson about the human respiratory system and why cardio pulmonary resuscitation keeps a chocking victim alive.

When the brain goes without oxygen for more than four minutes, brain damage and even death may occur. However, CPR can keep oxygen flowing to the brain for up to 22 minutes. One young mother commented that other CPR courses she took never delved into the details of the how the body’s mechanisms respond to a lack of oxygen, and she found it fascinating.

Using a pair of training manikins the size of an infant and a child, Nurse Green demonstrated the Heimlich maneuver and CPR on both and gave each attendee a chance to practice on them while the rest of the class looked on. One man who performed the techniques flawlessly had recently been a soldier.  Upon completion of the program Nurse Green issued CPR certificates to the group and reminded everyone that staying calm and remembering what they learned here today could someday save the life of a family member. One young mom declared that the she feels confident and prepared to help her young child in case of an emergency.