Fire Canvassing Event - Independence, MO

On February 21, 2015 an Independence, MO family lost their home, possessions and only child to a house fire. 5 year old Kai-Lynn was among three people injured after the fire broke out at the 10000 block of Winner Road at around noon on Saturday. Kai-Lynn was rushed to Children's Mercy Hospital with serious burns and heavy respiratory injuries. Kai-Lynn succumbed to her injuries on Monday February 23, 2015. 

Kai-Lynn

The family had just moved in to the house the day before. The fire has since been ruled accidental. The home did have smoke detectors but the Fire Department was unable to determine if they were working at the time of the fire. 

In response to this fire and 2 others in the Independence area recently in which no working smoke detectors were present in the house, Independence Fire and the Red Cross have partnered up to give out free smoke detectors and educate the residents in the immediate area about fire safety. 

On March 7, 2015 Independence Fire Station #3 (located closest to the fire on Winner Road) teamed up with the Red Cross, CERT and the local Emergency Management team to canvass the area near Winner Road and Ash Avenue. Teams of 2 or more walked the neighborhood talking to people about having working smoke detectors in the home, testing them monthly, changing the batteries when changing clocks for Daylight Savings Time as well as developing a fire escape plan with the family. Those residents who did not have working smoke detectors in their home were signed up to have one or more installed on March 21, 2015 when the Red Cross and Fire Department would partner up again to install smoke alarms for residents in need. Residents who were not home at the time of the canvassing were left a door hanger with information about how to call and schedule an appointment to have a smoke detector installed in their home.

While this canvassing event was in response to a fatality fire, residents don't have to wait for a disaster to happen to get a free smoke detector. Smoke alarms are given to Independence homeowners based on need. Homeowners can apply for one at the Independence Fire Station 1 at 950 N. Spring St. at the west entrance. For information about the smoke alarm program, call 816-325-7121.

“Every home should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home, preferred in every sleeping area and outside of every sleeping area,” Independence Fire Department said in a release. “Never take the battery out of your smoke alarm, except for replacement. Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke detector.”


Here are some pics from the canvassing event on March 7:

City of Independence Fire Station #3

Along with the Fire Department, Red Cross partnered with local CERT and Emergency Management Teams.

JoAnn Woody, Program Specialist with Red Cross helped organize the event and at the conclusion of the event took the opportunity to work on her photography skills. 

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 4,000 Americans die and an estimated 20,000 are injured in fires annually; many of which could be prevented with working smoke detectors. I have been through a devastating fire myself and if that weren't a reminder enough to check my smoke detector regularly and to change the battery every 6 months, stories like the sad one above surely are a somber reminder. Be safe!

New Volunteer Opportunity - CERT

I have been interested in Emergency Management and CERT for quite some time. I seem to manage to find the CERT training a few weeks AFTER the classes start and end up looking for other programs and then missing the classes for the year. Well this year I managed to find and register for the training BEFORE classes started so I am finally getting around to being trained as a CERT. Yay! If I could turn my passion for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Assessment in to a career I would but for now I am happy to be a volunteer with American Red Cross and now with Southwest Johnson County CERT.

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services may not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors such as number of victims, communication failures and road blockages may prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs. This is where CERT comes in!

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. Citizens are trained by professionals in Emergency Management, EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement to respond and assist in disasters.

CERT team members are often available at a scene of a disaster BEFORE emergency personnel can arrive. CERT teams provide many tasks such as first aid/CPR and other life saving services. CERTs may also assist emergency personnel (ems, fire and law enforcement) with tasks such as communication, fire suppression, traffic control, search & rescue as well as organize spontaneous volunteers to put them to use in the most effective way. CERT teams do not replace emergency personnel but rather take charge until emergency personnel arrive and then work with emergency personnel to provide services to those in need in time of a disaster. This allows trained emergency personnel to focus on more technical tasks CERT members are not trained to perform.

The mission of a CERT team is to do the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people in any time of need.

Southwest Johnson County CERT is based out at Johnson County Fire District #1 in Gardner, KS. If you are interested in CERT training or would just like to learn more about their program visit them on facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/SouthwestJohnsonCountyCERT.

Here are some pictures from this weeks class (Week 2) which focused on Fire Suppression:

 

CERT training programs are generally from 7-10 weeks. Topics covered include: Disaster Preparedness, Fire Suppression, Medical Operations (First Aid, CPR, Triage), Search and Rescue, Disaster Psychology (signs and symptoms that victims or CERT members are experiencing psychology trauma from the disaster) and Team Organization (how a CERT is organized, need for documentation, etc). The final week is generally a Disaster Simulation. It is also recommended that CERT members participate in local disaster drills when available.

Next week we jump in to emergency medical operations. I will try to post updates and pictures when possible. I am looking forward to this new adventure!
 

Week 5 - Raytown Police Department Citizen's Academy

Week 5 included Crime Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation, Emergency Management and Q&A with 2 officers from patrol.


Kyle Stoker, a Crime Analyst talked about the Crime Analysis team. The team was put together in 2000. At any given time there are at least 1-2 Crime Analysts on duty. The philosophy is to "Work Smarter, Not Harder!".

Raytown is 9.9 square miles and has approximately 29,000 residents. In 2012, there were 29,306 calls for service, 3062 Incident Reports written, 3395 Arrests, 8297 Tickets handed out and 591 Accidents. It's enough to keep RPD busy but doesn't require as big of a Crime Analysis team as some of the bigger surrounding cities. CAs routinely look at statistics regarding crime patterns, trends and suspects and use tools such as maps, bulletins and forecasts. Career criminals are responsible for most of the crime and that's why Crime Analysis is so important. Only a minimal amount of the crime is random or unpredictable when career criminals are responsible. Most crime is targeted, predictable and connected. Crime includes a victim, offender and a place.

The types of crime that are counted in the statistics often referred to as the "crime rate" include:  Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Larceny, Auto Theft and Arson. Raytown sees a steady trend upward in crime like its neighboring cities. Typically when analyzing crime a CA will look at the most recent 3 year period as a comparison. Some 2012 stats Kyle shared with the class include:  19% of burglaries in Raytown happened at a home where the door was unlocked or a window was left open; 57% of theft from cars involved cars that were unlocked; and 45% of cars that were stolen had the keys in them or the car was left unattended while running. Why share these stats? To show that crime is preventable! Some other ways to help prevent crime include:  Neighborhood Watch Groups, Volunteers in Police Service, CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) and Crime Mapping (raidsonline.com).


Next up, Detective Justin Pool discussed Crime Scene Investigation. I went in to great detail about Crime Scene Investigation and what a Crime Laboratory does in my last citizen's academy so I won't go in to much detail here.  If you want to learn more about CSI read my entry about it by following this link Week 11 - Introduction to and Tour of Crime Laboratory - JCSO Citizen's Academy. 

“The dust and debris that cover our clothing and bodies are the mute witnesses, sure and faithful, of all our movements and all our encounters.” ~Edmond Locard (1877-1966), Pioneering French Criminologist

"Trace evidence is one of the most valuable, misunderstood, misused and underutilised forms of physical evidence." ~ Dr. Peter R. De Forest

Raytown Police Department has 7 detectives and all have a role in Crime Scene Investigation. CSI is about Evidence - Statements - Confessions.  Evidence doesn't lie! The role of the first responder (officer) on the scene is to safeguard the scene. They will brief the detectives that arrive on scene. Chain of Custody must be maintained. Ie... what did you get from who, when, where?  Processing a scene includes the following steps:  Interview, Photograph, Search, Diagram, Process, Collect. The final goal is to apprehend the suspect and bring justice to the victim. One CSI must be on call at all times. Crimes investigated include but are not limited to:  Homicide, Suicide, Rape, Robbery, Assault, Burglary, Auto Theft, Forgery, Stealing. The Metro Squad can be called in to assist as needed. Death Investigation is the most common investigation assistance is needed with. The Jackson County Medical Examiner is utilized in cases of Homicide, Suicide and Accidental Death. If evidence is collected that needs to be analyzed by a lab, RPD will send to either the Missouri Highway Patrol Lab in Jefferson City or Kansas City MO Police Department. MHP is generally not as backlogged and is used preferentially by RPD.



Major Stranimier

Major Frank Stranimier spoke about Emergency Management. RPD does not currently have a CERT Program but are hopeful to get one going soon. CERT training is available through Central Jackson County Fire, Kansas City Missouri (I believe it's through the Police Department but could be through Emergency Management) and Blue River Community College. There are programs available on the Kansas side as well which is likely where I will complete my CERT program. The Emergency Management team for RPD is responsible for alerting residents to threats. Most common threats are weather related such as ice storms, tornadoes, flooding. Major Stranimier strongly encourages residents to purchase an all weather radio. (If you purchase at Price Chopper some of the money goes back to the EM department for education). Also stressed was putting together an emergency kit for your family. Other civil emergencies that Emergency Management is responsible for include:  Silver Alerts, Amber Alerts, HazMat Incidents. Information is publicized through Nixel message, Public Service Announcements and of course the local media. RPD is part of MEMC (Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee) which is part of MARC (Mid America Regional Council). This is a coordinated effort across the metro so that all area communities are getting the same message.

Emergency Management is something I am interested in getting more involved in. I am proud to be a Disaster Services Technician with the American Red Cross and look forward to advancing my training with the Red Cross and through CERT. A community and it's residents can never be too prepared for an emergency! Having been through my own emergency strengthened my resolve to want to do more in my community. 

Last but not least... Officers Joe Holt and Larry Doty talked about their experiences with the department as a new officer (Officer Holt has been with the department for 2 years) and as a seasoned officer (Officer Doty is the longest tenured Officer having started with RPD in 1974). Officer Holt attended the Blue River Community College Police Academy and Officer Doty attended KCMO's Police Academy staying true to RPDs commitment to hire from both academies. Both Officers stressed that they chose RPD because of the small town feel to it versus the big city department. They feel like RPD is a family. They encourage anyone pursuing a career in law enforcement to get support from their family. It is important to have that support in order to have a successful career and home life. I enjoyed the stories both Officers shared. Thanks guys for taking the time to present to the Citizen's Police Academy!


Next week we will be at Blue River Academy for Firearm Safety and FATS Simulator. All class participants will have an opportunity to practice on the FATS Simulator if they want to. Looking forward to it!