Autism Awareness

Submitted by Nancy Orndoff, Greater Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad

This past April was Autism Awareness Month. GMVRS’ Assistant Chief Ben Simmons also happens to be autistic. He was diagnosed with Aspergers at an early age, and in his own words, has spent most of his life learning to overcome the challenges presented by his condition, while using the unique strengths as an asset in numerous areas, including patient care.

Last year, he became aware of the Ben’s Blue Bags program thanks to social media posts by our brothers and sisters at OWL VFD. He began learning about the program and presented it to our Board of Directors with a proposal to bring the program to Manassas, and outfit all apparatus in the department. After enthusiastic approval from the Board, and a pledge from the GMVRS Squad Auxiliary to pay for the entire program, he spent several months in contact with Lt. Matt Kodicek with Crown Point Fire & Rescue, who started Ben's Blue Bags in honor of his son, to bring the program here.

This endeavor came to fruition on April 13 – 15 when Lt. Kodicek flew out to Manassas, and the City of Manassas Fire Rescue Department graciously lodged him at FS521 where he instructed all career and volunteer shifts on best practices for interacting with Autistic and Special Needs patients, and how to best employ the supplies within Ben's Blue Bags to help ensure interactions with special needs patients are a positive experience for everyone.

The bags have been placed on every apparatus in the department to ensure that all units are properly equipped when responding to any calls with Autistic and/or special needs patients and bystanders, and the supplies have already been utilized on several calls.

The program and training were enthusiastically received by all who attended and is highly recommended for any 91-1 agency to adopt. You can find more information on the program at: https://www.crownpoint.in.gov/468/Bens Bags as well as follow them on their Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/bensbluebags/ and Instagram @bens_blue_bags or email Lt. Kodicek directly at: bensbluebags@gmail.com

Submitted by AVAVRS President Eddie Ann Orndoff

Recently I started thinking about success. What is it? What does it look like? How do you measure it? Some very thought-provoking questions for sure.

Do you measure things by what you have accomplished? What happens if you fail? At the end of the day if you tried something and it didn’t work out, the reality is you did not fail. The only failure is not making any attempt at all. Your effort remains the most important thing.

Each and every day we try many things. Sometimes they work out just like we had envisioned they would. Other times they are an absolute epic flop of gigantic proportions. Much like doing a belly flop at the local swimming pool.

When we pull out the measuring stick of success, we each need to look at all of the aspects and I think we will find we actually are doing pretty darn good.