On May 13th, CHUG ran an evacuation drill at Smith Village in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood, as a training and time study event. Drills are run not only to educate those involved, but also to find better, safer, and more efficient ways to evacuate individuals with special needs. There was also a time study which has given us valuable information on the time it takes to evacuate a patient/resident from an upper level floor (3rd floor in this case). We would like to thank the many volunteers / members who offered their valuable time in order to help us improve the program, and potentially save lives. Results of the program will be posted on the website upon completion.
If your organization would like to be part of future drills, please let us know by send a note to: "memberservices@chughurt.org.".
CHUG and the CDC
The name "CHUG" is becoming more and more recognized in the field of emergency planning and preparedness for special needs populations. Connie Polke and Bill Pretzer were invited by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, to be subjectmatter experts on Pandemic breakouts and solutions. People from around the country were in attendence and it was very productive. It also became evident that CHUG is ahead of the pack when it comes to preparation for pandemics. While other organizations have done a great job in addressing this issue, CHUG has been able to create a more all-inclusive and comprehensive program to respond in Illinois (as well as NW Indiana and now Michicagn). This is one more example of the benefits of a CHUG membership for special needs facilities.
Congratulations Connie!
We would like to congratulate our own Connie Polke for being presented with the Red Cross of Greater Chicago’s Disaster Relief Hero Award for 2009.
One More Thing!
Connie has also been honored as The Very Important Person for 2010 by the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW). The NAPW provides a global platform for women to voice their opinions and share their thoughts on family, economic and political issues that affect us. The NAPW supports and endorses a diverse syndicate of charities and nonprofit organizations focused on women’s issues and child wellness. You can learn more about the NAPW by visiting their website at www.napw.com. Great job Connie!
Way to go Bill!
Red Cross recognizes Bill Pretzer as 2010 Hero
The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago has announced its 2010 Heroes award winners including Park Ridge Fire Department Battalion Chief Bill Pretzer. “I am delighted to see Battalion Chief Pretzer receive the Hero Award from the American Red Cross, Chicago Chapter. This award is the culmination of Battalion Chief Pretzer's continued involvement in community planning efforts and his dedication to emergency preparedness,” said Acting Fire Chief Jeff Sorensen.
Pretzer has served the Park Ridge Fire Department since April 1979. He is instrumental in emergency planning activities throughout Park Ridge involving the City, schools, other governmental units, and the hospitals, and spearheads the annual Emergency Planning Day scheduled each fall at the Park Ridge Public Library. The Red Cross chooses heroes who embody its guiding principles and inspire others to do good. Each year, the Greater Chicago Red Cross honors local people for acts of great bravery, dedication and service to the community at its Heroes Breakfast.
William Pretzer will receive the Disaster Relief Award for his continued efforts to educate and prepare his community for pandemic during the H1N1 crisis. His leadership in this effort and in helping special needs populations and other vulnerable communities has been outstanding. The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago will honor Bill at the 2010 Heroes Breakfast on April 14, at The Fairmont Hotel Chicago.
CDPH Emergency Preparedness Project 2010
Currently, CHUG is in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Department of Senior Services, to provide all special needs facilities in the City of Chicago the opportunity to attend emergency preparedness workshops at no charge to those facilities. Attendance and completion of the evacuation workshops qualifies that facility as a new member of CHUG. (Some of the classes also offer CEU's to healthcare professionals). These are one day workshops (usually from 10:00am - 2:00pm), hosted by a variety of long term care and other facilities throughout the city, designed to prepare for new rules by the CDPH that will require facilities to share their evacuation plans for evaluation. This requirement will take place in 2011. The programs run from March 2010 to August 2010, and will grow the collaboration allowing CHUG to respond to larger scale disasters that occur in Illinois. We welcome these new members as we work to ensure the safety of our vulnerable populations during emergencies.
(You can learn more by mousing over the "Training / Workshops" link on the left and click on "CDPH Project" to access the information. If your facility is not located within the city limits of Chicago, but you are interested in any of these workshops, please contact us for more information).