The Governor’s Highway Safety Program reminds motorists that the Seat Belt Use Enhancement Act (Senate Bill 774) goes into effect tomorrow, requiring all motor vehicle passengers to wear safety belts. The penalty for violating the law is a $10 fine. Violators will receive warnings until July 1, 2007. People with a medical or physical condition that prevents them from being able to wear a safety belt as well as people in delivery and agricultural vehicles are exempt.
A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers who are buckled have five times the risk of dying in a collision if rear seat passengers are not buckled. The study also found that 80 percent of the deaths from crashes could have been prevented if the rear seat occupants had been buckled.
The law was recommended by North Carolina’s Executive Committee for Highway Safety, which was established by the N.C. Department of Transportation in April 2003 to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes and injuries on the state’s highways. The committee continues to identify, prioritize, and promote highway safety initiatives in an effort to save lives and reduce injuries.
[Reproduced courtesy Cisco emergency response team monthly newsletter]
Ever wondered why sometimes the ambulance or engine shows up here without their lights and sirens? For the answers, we turn to Dave Schultheis who used to work in Santa Clara County dispatch, and has the low-down on how the professionals view our calls.
Dave says: “The Medical Priority Dispatch System operates using a whole bunch of dispatching cards filled with questions and (possible) answers, all aimed at efficiently and effectively responding to medical emergencies using specific protocols, based on the answers that the callers give to the questions asked. (The ultimate goal of priority dispatching is to reduce the number of "lights & sirens" responses, when such responses are not needed, so as to reduce the number of accidents involving emergency medical response vehicles.)
The Fairview Fire Department will host an open house on Sunday, October 8, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Fairview Station 1. All are welcome to attend.
There will be several activites for both young and old including a fire safety smoke house. All fire engines and apparatus will be available for the public to see up close.
Reflective address signs will be available for purchase for $15.
A medical station will be set up if you would like to see the equipment that our medical first responders use in the field, and you may have your blood pressure checked.
To top things off, the Fairview Ladies Auxiliary will hold a bake sale as well.
WAKE COUNTY NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 6, 2006 - 12:25 p.m.
The rain has caused the fires to subside somewhat, although there are still sporadic fires. HAZMAT teams have assessed the site and are using thermal-imaging cameras to identify "hot spots" and to help determine the best way to extinguish remaining fires. No one is being allowed to return to the evacuation area at this time, and anyone who has sheltered in place is asked to remain inside until the evacuation order is lifted. Green Hope High School, 2500 Carpenter Upchurch Road in Cary, is the only shelter currently open, and guests who were sheltered overnight at Turner and Olive Chapel elementary schools have been transferred to Green Hope. Schools in Apex are closed. N.C. Hwy. 55 has reopened.
Motorists Urged to Use Extra Caution During Fall Months
To help decrease the number of wildlife and automobile crashes, the
N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is reminding motorists to be
aware of the increased presence of deer on North Carolina's roads. Each
year, there are over 14,000 reported animal/vehicle crashes, mostly
involving deer, that result in an estimated $31 million in property
damage.
Fort Bragg Fire and Emergency Services is Requesting
1 patch from each North Carolina fire Department. The Patch is to be
placed on a blanket.
The blanket is called "The North Carolina Blanket of Protection",
stemming from the way our states departments weave together to form a
blanket protecting life and property across the state. It is planned
that the blanket will be raffled at the North Carolina Firemen's
Association Annual Convention in August 2005. All proceeds from the
raffle will be donated to the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Fund
to assist them in there great cause. We plan to start attaching the
patches to the blanket in June. If you can have your patches to us by
then it would greatly be appreciated.
This is a great way to help the NCFFF we hope that all departments will
participate. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lt.
Steven Stewart at 910-396-3015 or 910-423-9938. He can also be reached
by E-mail at:
