Highway Patrol Provides A Few Safety Tips As We Begin the School Year

RALEIGH- As the school year begins, more than 700,000 students will be transported on school buses each day across North Carolina.  Nationally, more than 450,000 public school buses travel about 4.3 billion miles a year to transport over 23.5 million children to and from school and school-related activities. Sadly, on the average five to six children are killed and about 5,500 are injured in school bus related accidents each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The most dangerous part of the school bus ride is when children get on and off the bus. Loading and unloading is where children are in the most danger of not being seen by the bus driver.  Specifically, the area 10-feet in front of the bus where the driver may be too high to see a child; 10-feet on either side of the bus, where a child may be in the driver’s blind spot; and the area behind the bus. Many pedestrian fatalities in school-bus related crashes are children between 5 and 7 years old.

To prevent these needless deaths and injuries, drivers, children and parents are advised to follow a few simple safety tips:

Drivers

• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
• When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.
• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in neighborhood.
• Slow down. Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state. Learn the "flashing signal light system" that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:

• Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Children

• Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.
• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it's okay before stepping onto the bus.
• If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.

• Use the handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with draw strings, and book bags with straps don't get caught in the handrails or doors.
• Never walk behind the bus.
• Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

Parents

• Teach children to follow these common sense practices to make school bus transportation safer.

Keeping our children safe takes teamwork and together we can make a difference!

For more information on North Carolina’s Stop Arm Law, please go to the following link: http://www.ncbussafety.org/SchoolBusSafety/SBSWlaw.html.

For more information on Highway Safety, please contact First Sergeant Jeff Gordon at (919)733-5027 or Jeff.Gordon@ncdps.gov.

Duke Energy and county officials to test nuclear and hydro sirens - Duke Energy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -

Duke Energy will be testing nuclear sirens at the Catawba and McGuire nuclear stations and hydro plant sirens at Bridgewater, Rhodhiss and Mountain Island Lake. Residents near lakes Hickory, Lookout Shoals, Norman and Wylie also may hear these sirens. The tests will be conducted from 11:50 a.m. until noon on Wednesday, July 10.

No public action is required during these three-minute tests. By testing the sirens, state and county officials and Duke Energy ensure the sirens are operating properly. These siren tests are performed once each quarter.

Nuclear siren responseCounty emergency officials are responsible for sounding nuclear plant sirens. These sirens are a signal for residents to tune into a radio or TV station in their area that carries emergency alert messages. County officials use these stations to provide information to the public.

Hydro siren responseSirens located at the hydro plants are used to warn of an impending dam failure. If the sirens are sounded in an actual event, residents living downstream of these facilities should evacuate immediately. Residents should be aware that Duke Energy does not sound sirens for high water events.

Catawba Nuclear Station, located in York, S.C., is owned jointly by North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1, North Carolina Electric Membership Corp., Piedmont Municipal Power Agency and Duke Energy.

McGuire Nuclear Station, located in Huntersville, N.C., is owned by Duke Energy.

Duke Energy Carolinas owns nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides approximately 20,000 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 2.4 million customers in a 24,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with more than $110 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.2 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at: www.duke-energy.com. 
CONTACT: Duke Energy Media Line
24-Hour: 800-559-3853

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

Alexander Rescue Squad and E.M.S., Inc.



 

The annual meeting of the corporation will be held on Thursday, March 14th, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at the corporation’s principal address. Alexander Rescue Squad is located at 197 Emergency Street, Taylorsville, N.C. 28681.

 

All active and life members along with the general public are encouraged to attend.

 

The principal purpose of the meeting will be to hold the election of Board Members and Officers. For further information please contact the corporate office at 828-632-9410 or send us an email at info@alexanderrescue.org .

In Memory of Craig A. Helms

On December 11th, 2005, Alexander Rescue Squad lost a very well respected and dedicated member.  Craig Helms was a man that many people still admire.

At an early age Craig was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that caused him to eventually be forced to have a double lung transplant. After his first lung transplant, Craig's desire to help others was then focused into the rescue service. He served as a very active member of Alexander Rescue Squad, participating in extensive training and responding to emergencies. Against doctors wishes he continued to participate in each and every aspect of the rescue service. Several times while performing training exercises Craig would get short of breath and people would often say, "Craig why don't you take it easy". His response was most always "YOU NEVER GIVE UP".

After a while Craig's breathing problems got harder and harder to cope with and finally he had to be admitted to the hospital. Craig spent several days in Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. He was placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant once again. Even though his days were much harder then we could imagine, he still managed to keep his smile and sense of humor.

Craig went on to get those new lungs he was waiting for on December 11th of 2005. Still to this day he is touching lives by the life he lived here on this earth. This post serves as a memorial and also a reminder that we can NEVER GIVE UP. Craig never gave up on that set of lungs he needed, and boy did he get them. He's not suffering anymore; he can breathe just fine. But I know if Craig could talk to us right now what he would say. He'd say...

"I know you guys miss me, and I miss you all too, but you know, you can see me again. You just have to make sure that you accept Jesus as your Savior and then we will spend eternity together. Make sure you settle things soon though; you never know when your day will come. I Love You and I'll see you all soon......NEVER GIVE UP..."

That’s the short story of the life of Craig Allen Helms, husband, father, and friend. May we never forget the life and the legacy that he left for us all and always remember that we can NEVER GIVE UP!!!

Respectfully,

Darren Chewning

Awards Given at Annual Christmas Party

Alexander Rescue Squad held its annual Christmas party and awards ceremony on Saturday, December 1st, 2012.

Members and families, along with a few other special guests enjoyed a wonderful meal provided by Sisters II Catering, while fellowshipping with friends and family. Following the meal there was an awards ceremony where several members were recognized.

The following awards were presented:

Squad Person of the Year - Keith Milsaps (presented by Stacey Pons)

Captains Choice - Keith Milsaps

Service Awards

Billy Killian - 25 years

Anthony St.Clair - 20 years

Derek Getz - 10 years

Other service awards were presented to Heather Ingram for 10 years and Gina Jordan for 15 years.

Nanthaniel Hines a Senior at Alexander Central and a member of Ellendale Fire Department was recognized by the Squad for his extrordinary service to his community and his fire department. Nathaniel has a physical impairment and is unable to hear without assistance of an implant. Nathaniel is an active member of the Alexander County Honor Guard and recently was involved with the opening of the new Alexander County Law Enforcement Center and a funeral for a fellow firefighter. Nathaniel's impairment doesn't prevent his willingness to serve his community and he gives back abundantly. He was given honorary membership as a Rescue Squad member.

A special thank you to Wilkes Rescue Squad for providing coverage for us during the event.

Check out our new boat donated by Carolina Skiff Boats

Paragon Films Donates to Alexander Rescue Squad

(l-r) Terry Foxx-Captain, Scott King – Paragon Films Plant Manager and Keith Millsaps –Board President

In today’s tough economic times organizations that rely on donations for operating expenses must make every dollar count and those organizations must reach out to all for assistance. We in emergency services know the importance of good community relations and must have the ability to reach out to those private and non-governmental partners when seeking funding sources. Each year Alexander Rescue Squad holds its annual portrait fund raiser. This is accomplished through a mass mailing that goes to each property owner in the county which gives that property owner the ability to donate to Alexander Rescue Squad. Alexander Rescue Squad has been very fortunate and truly blessed to receive many generous donations throughout the years.

Once such donation came recently from Paragon Films Inc. Rescue Squad Captain, Terry Foxx received a call from the industry requesting he and the Board President meet with Paragon officials to receive a donation. The meeting was arranged and both Foxx and Board President Keith Millsaps meet with Paragon Films on March 26, 2012. At the meeting Paragon presented the Squad a check for $1,500.00. Paragon Plant Manager, Scott King stated Paragon’s mission was “building others and helping humanity”. Mr. King stated as he had traveled about Alexander County he had seen on a number of occasions when Alexander Rescue Squad had been out helping others and after Paragon’s corporate office had received the Squad’s general fund raiser letter, discussions between the corporate office and the Alexander County facility had generated the donation. Mr. King stated that Paragon was a community based and a service oriented company and they wanted to give back to the communities where they are located.

Alexander Rescue Squad would like to take the opportunity to Thank Paragon Films, Inc for the generous donation and to all others who have donated throughout the years. Alexander Rescue Squad has been in operation since 1959, providing a variety of specialized rescue services to the citizens of Alexander County.

Alexander Rescue Squad is a member of the United Way of Alexander County and if you are interested in becoming a member please join us at one of our regular meetings on the 2nd or 4th Thursday night of each month or if you would like to make a donation please send that to P.O. Box 938, Taylorsville. The Squad’s base is located at 197 Emergency Street, Taylorsville. If you would like more information please email us at 4info_rescue@alexanderrescue.org or contact our base @ 828-632-9410.

Derek Getz
Public Relations Officer
Alexander Rescue Squad