SVAC to Pilot Lifesaving Program
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Emergency Room nurse Sue Cannock, has seen it countless times: an ambulance arrives with a patient in distress who cannot communicate his medical history, which medications he took that day or even an emergency contact number. The ED staff evaluates and treats the patient with the knowledge available, but sometimes critical information that could influence the course of treatment is unknown.
Cannock, who has worked in the White Plains Hospital ED for the last 15 years, thinks she has found a solution to this problem, modeled on a program she learned of while speaking with one of her online classmates who works in a Florida hospital. The solution will be called “The File of Life” and will be launched October 1 as a pilot program run in conjunction with Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
The File of Life itself is a magnet with a small, plastic pocket that can be stuck onto one’s refrigerator. In the pocket there is a form where participating members can fill out medication and allergy information, emergency contact numbers and more. A small sticker with the EMS Star of Life will be placed above the doorknob on a participant’s front door, indicating to the Volunteer Corps that the File of Life is on the refrigerator. Should an emergency occur, ambulance personnel will know to find the file and bring it to the hospital. In addition to the window sticker, Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps will input into its computer system that participants have a File of Life so they will be instantaneously alerted to retrieve the file.
To educate the public about this program, the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps is sending a mailing to 6,500 homes throughout the village. As people respond, members of the Corps will deliver the File of Life to homes personally and even assist residents in filling out the requested information.
“We believe that this will help us serve the community better,” said David Raizen, President of the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps. “Having a patient’s medical information immediately accessible to us will expedite treatment in the ambulance and at the hospital. We are pleased to partner with White Plains Hospital and hope that if we are successful, other community ambulance agencies and hospitals will adopt the program.”
“The File of Life should help us treat patients appropriately and quickly,” said Cannock. “We believe that this pilot program will show that with more information comes better medical results. We hope to collaborate with EMS agencies in other towns and make this a Westchester-wide program.”
For more information about “File of Life” please contact (914) 722-2288.
Where Does Your Donation to the PBA Go?
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We received several inquiries about the Policemen’s Benevolent Association(PBA) from residents who were solicited for contributions by phone and via the mail. People wanted to know whether or not it was mandatory to give, and if they did make a donation where the funds would go. Since local taxes are high, others wondered why supplemental payments to the department were necessary.
We spoke to both Scarsdale Police Chief John Brogan and Sargeant Jose Santos, President of PBA of Scarsdale and here is what we learned. Both Chief Brogan and Officer Santos asked us to assure residents that donations are not compulsory and that whether or not you give, you’ll still receive the same treatment from the Scarsdale Police. And what about the stickers the PBA provides to donees? Will having one of those on your windshield cause the traffic officer to give you preferential treatment? Certainly not, according to Officer Santos.
The Scarsdale Police Department and the Scarsdale Police Benevolent Association are two separate entities. Money that is donated to the PBA does not go to the Scarsdale Police Department. The Scarsdale PBA is the official bargaining unit for Scarsdale Police Officers and the treasury of the PBA is controlled by elected union officials. That said, the PBA will donate items to SPD from time to time for equipment that would otherwise be funded with the taxpayers money, including bulletproof vests, gym equipment for the Public Safety Building, and furnishings in the Public Safety lobby.
When asked what donations are used for, Santos provided the following accounting:
- Bullet-proof vests: these cost about $700 each and the paddles inside the vests need to be replaced every four years. The PBA purchases between four to seven new vests each year. Phone solicitors usually lead with the appeal for funds for bullet proof vests – however this appears to account for only a small portion of PBA expenses.
- Retiree benefits: Since the Village retirement package for policeman does not provide for dental and vision care insurance, the PBA makes supplemental funds available to retired officers for dental and vision care.
- Charity: The PBA gives generously to a variety of causes including “Navigating the Spectrum” for autistic children, The Hemophilia Association of New York, Toys for Tots and My Sister’s Place. In fact, over the last four years the PBA donated $150,000 to Navigating the Spectrum from funds donated by Scarsdale residents. In addition, the PBA supports Family Assistance Centers at Walter Reed Military Hospital and West Point Academy where injured veterans often stay for a year. The PBA purchases prepaid telephone calling cards to allow recovering soldiers to contact family and friends. They also purchase plane tickets so that families can visit the vets and supplied funds for needed equipment for the patients.
The PBA declined to provide an accounting of total revenues or expenses, but given the $150,000 donation one can surmise that revenues are substantial.
It is important to note that the telemarketing agency that calls on behalf of the PBA retains 50% of your donation, which Officer Santos assured us is standard for the industry. So, if you are giving to the PBA in the hope that your funds will go to one of the good causes they support, realize that at best 50% of what you spend will be delivered to these charitable organizations. Giving to the PBA who will in turn give to another charitable group is an indirect path to giving.
The Scarsdale PBA will hold their annual Golf Outing at Scarsdale Golf Club on Monday October 3rd. To learn more about the event and the association, click here: http://www.scarsdalepba.com/index.html
Flooding Closes New York Sports Club in Hartsdale
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Flooding in Hartsdale forced the New York Sports Club on East Hartsdale Avenue to close last Sunday. It remains closed due to heavy water damage in the basement which will require five to six weeks of renovation on the lower level. This will prevent members from using the weight training equipment, spinning studio and women’s locker room located downstairs. Wet and damaged walls and floors will need to be replaced.
However, the club does hope to reopen the main floor on Monday September 5th, so members will be able to use the elliptical machines, stationary bikes, weights and treadmills, and classes can resume in the first floor exercise studio.
Other locations in Hartsdale also experienced flooding. The bagel store was able to remain open as they had pumps installed but other retailers report trouble.
Scarsdale Synagogue to Hold Event for Lauren Spierer
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The Spierer family remains determined to find their daughter Lauren, missing since June 3rd from Indiana University in Bloomington. They are keeping her in the local and national spotlight through the media and by planning an upcoming event in town.
On September 3rd, the Spierer’s marked the third month of her disappearance and her mother's birthday with a letter on the newsonlaurens.blogspot . The letter is addressed to whoever is “responsible for Lauren’s disappearance” and charges them with a “heinous crime.” Charlene Spierer vows that they “will never give up” and ends by saying, “I am waiting to hear from you.” You can read the entire letter here.
On Monday September 5th Robert and Charlene Spierer appeared on the Today Show. They had recently been out to Indiana to clear Lauren’s things from her apartment and seen students returning to school for the fall semester. They ventured out on the streets of Bloomington in the early morning hours and saw students involved in risky behavior. Despite Lauren’s fate they saw many drunks students and a girl walking home alone. In a blog post about that night, Charlene Spierer wrote, “Recently, we decided to explore the environs of Bloomington at 3:00 a.m. It was shocking to see a lone girl walking home with no shoes shortly thereafter.
You can see the Today show interview here.
On the local front, Scarsdale Synagogue, where the Spierer’s are members, is hosting an awareness day for their missing congregant. The will hold a Bike/Walk for Lauren on Sunday September 18. They are asking supporters to meet at the Synagogue on Ogden Road in Scarsdale at 11:15 am for a moment of sharing, followed by a bike ride or walk on the Bronx River Parkway. The suggested donation is $54 and the funds will be contributed to the “Help Find Lauren Fund” at Indiana University Hillel.
Rally for the Cure at Fox Meadow Tennis Club on 9/17
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The Fox Meadow Tennis Club (14 Wayside Lane, Scarsdale) is hosting the First Annual Rally for the Cure Tennis and Paddle Benefit on September 17 from 9am to 1pm. The event, which will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is open to men and women at all levels, and is open to both members and non-members. FMTC event committee members Helyn Goldstein and Wendie Kroll invite their fellow Scarsdale residents to join them for a fun morning of tennis and paddle with the goal of raising breast cancer awareness and celebrating survivors. In addition to spirited play, organizers are providing breakfast, lunch, raffles, and prizes.
There is a player participation fee of $50. To register for the event, download this form and return it by mail to the club as soon as possible.
