September 3, 2015
Board of
Commissioners
Henry County Fire Department Utilizes New Technology to Save Lives
Regular Meetings September 15 at 6:30 PM October 6 at 9:00 AM Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 Regular Commission meetings air daily on Henry TV Channel 180 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.
A Henry County Paramedic demonstrates how to properly and effectively use the new Zoll X Series cardiac monitors.
A heart attack happens every 43 seconds and on average, Henry County Paramedics treat cardiac arrest three to four times a week and use a cardiac monitor at least once a day. To better serve citizens and patients in the County, the Fire Department has invested in 11 new Zoll X Series cardiac monitors, which will be placed in all ambulances. The older monitors were traded in to Zoll for company credit that was put toward the purchase of the newer models. With the credit, the cost of the new X Series monitors was approximately $200,000. For their purchase, the department received 11 ambulance monitors, accompanying equipment and pads, software updates and several weeks of training with Zoll Territory Manager, Elizabeth Wilson. Continued on page 2
1
September 3, 2015 Published by Henry County Communications Department The Henry County Board of Commissioners
Editor Melissa Robinson
Graphic Designer Meredith Butler Samantha Watson
Layout Designer Samantha Watson
Contributors Samantha Watson Melissa Robinson Kevin Williams
Cardiac monitors from page 1 The monitors are being placed in ambulances today for regular use. They feature a 12-Lead EKG, voice response and spoken instructions, See-Thru CPR filtering that reduces the length of pre-shock pauses, wireless internet transmission and real time feedback about treatment quality. “These advancements in technology help us bring a better quality of service to our patients,” stated Deputy Fire Chief Brad Johnson. “Our next goal is to purchase the companion Auto Pulse equipment that performs the CPR compressions itself with the help of the monitor. We hope to have one in every ambulance.” For more information on the Henry County Fire Department, please visit www.henrycouty-ga.org/fire. henrycounty-ga.org
In observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2015 the Henry County Administration offices and the Recycling Center will be closed. They will reopen on Tuesday, September 8 at 8 a.m.
Citizen’s Police Academy Applications Due Today
Participants in a previous Henry County Police Department’s Citizen’s Police Academy.
This year’s Citizen’s Police Academy, hosted by the Henry County Police Department, will meet every Tuesday from Sept. 8 to Nov. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Henry County Police Department Training Room. Applications are being accepted until Sept. 3. The Henry County Police Department believes that community based policing is an important and vital aspect of crime control in any community. The goal of the academy is to help the public better understand the issues law enforcement faces, improve communication between the community and the police and obtain citizen input, assistance and support throughout the County. Qualified candidates must be 21 years old or up, live or work in Henry County, have no prior felony arrests or crimes of moral turpitude and have no misdemeanor arrests within six months of applying. To apply, visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/police/ citizenspoliceacademy, print an application and background consent form and submit the completed documents in person at the HCPD headquarters or by mail to Henry County Police Dept., 108 S. Zack Hinton Pkwy. McDonough, GA 30253. For more information visit the website or call 770-288-8285.
Vietnam Veterans Ceremony to Be Held Sept. 19 In accordance with the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration, the Andrew McBride Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, in partnership with Henry County Parks and Recreation, will be honoring and recognizing on September 19 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Wall of Honor in Heritage Park. Captain Brian H. Settles, one of the first African American combat pilots to fly the F-4 Phantom in Vietnam and author of “Smoke for Breakfast: A Vietnam Combat Pilot’s Story,” will be speaking at the event. Immediately following the service, he will be available in the museum for a book signing. The 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War is a program founded from the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act by the then Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates. The program aims to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the war, pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by civilians during the war, highlight the advances in technology related to military research conducted during the war and to recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the U.S. during the war. For more information on the Vietnam War Commemoration, visit www.vietnamwar50th.com.
3
September 3, 2015
Take Action During National Preparedness Month September is National Preparedness Month and the Henry County Emergency Management Agency is advising Henry County to get ready for all man-made and natural disasters. National Preparedness Month was founded after 9/11 to increase awareness and encourage action for emergency preparedness nationwide. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready America campaign. “National Preparedness Month is an ideal time for all residents to revisit their emergency preparedness efforts,” said Don Ash, Emergency Management Director. “By knowing about potential local threats, making a plan and building a kit of emergency supplies, residents can ensure the safety of their families in the event of a disaster.” The Henry County Emergency Management Agency and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA/HS) Ready Georgia campaign will join a nationwide coalition of thousands of private, public and nonprofit organizations that will be hosting local events and initiatives designed to motivate people to take the necessary steps to ensure that their homes, workplaces and communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies of all kinds. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make an Emergency Plan Today.” Each week of September focuses on preparation for different disasters. Week 1 (Sept. 1-5): Floods – It is imperative all residents are aware of their area’s flood risk and familiarize themselves with terms that are used to henrycounty-ga.org
identify a flood. If unsure, call the Henry County Emergency Management Agency, the Henry County Planning and Zoning Department or visit www.floodsmart.gov. Week 2 (Sept. 6-12): Wildfires – Creating an emergency communications plan will help ensure families know what to do if separated during a wildfire. The Ready Georgia website includes a tool to help create a customized plan and build a Ready Kit. Henry County residents need to consider the unique needs of their family, such as pets, seniors or family members with special needs, to ensure they have all items they may need if they are asked to evacuate. Week 3 (Sept. 13-19): Hurricanes – Hurricanes don’t have to directly hit Georgia or even be classified as “major” to cause significant damage. Residents may be asked to evacuate, so it’s important to identify several places they could go in an emergency and familiarize themselves with local evacuation routes. Weeks 4 and 5 (Sept. 20-30): Power Outage and National PrepareAthon! Day – Prior to a storm, it’s important for all residents to have their Ready Kits fully stocked. Kits should include supplies for families to survive at least three days without any power or aid – including non-perishable food, water, a first aid kit, a flashlight and extra batteries. For more information about local National Preparedness Month activities, contact Don Ash at dash@co.henry.ga.us. For preparedness on the go, download the Ready Georgia mobile app.
Commissioners Mull Two Finalists For County Manager Position The Henry County Board of Commissioners has pared down the list of applicants for the County Manager position and has named the two finalists in a search that began after former County Manager, Jim Walker, resigned in May, 2015. The county manager search was conducted internally and initially attracted 27 candidates for the position. The two candidates under consideration are Lyndon L. Bonner and Cheri Hobson-Matthews. Lyndon L. Bonner, from Ocala FL, received his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Florida and a Master’s of Business Administration from Webster University in Missouri. With more than 20 years of government administration experience, serving as both a city manager and county administrator in rural communities as well as large urban jurisdictions, he most recently served as the City Manager for the City of North Miami Beach where he managed 422 employees and oversaw a budget of $111 million. He also served as County Administrator for Okeechobee County, Florida, as well as Interim Assistant County Administrator for Sumter County Florida. Earlier in his career, he was City Manager for several years in Bunnell, FL, and worked as Director of
Public Services in Dunnellon, FL. Cheri Hobson-Matthews, from McDonough, GA, is currently the Interim County Manager for Henry County and earned her Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Planning and Urban Studies, both from Alabama A&M University. She has been with Henry County Government for the past 13 years, and as Interim County Manager is responsible for overseeing the management of more than 1,600 employees. Hobson-Matthews began her career in Henry County Government as a Planner II in the Planning and Zoning Department, moving up the ranks to Planning and Zoning Director, then becoming a Division Director. Prior to taking on the Interim County Manager role, Hobson-Matthews had been serving as Henry County’s Assistant County Manager since 2014, where she assisted with the preparation and administration of the $127 million budget, as well as aided in planning, managing and directing the activities of the county government. The Henry County Board of Commissioners expects to make its final decision after the required 14day waiting period.
5