Westside Messenger - February 12th, 2023

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PAGE 2 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - February 12, 2023 PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP Continued from page 1 Yet the majority of the equipment the department uses today during a cardiac arrest event has remained unchanged in recent years, he said. “We’re just using it in different ways,” Scott said. “We’ve found that by switching up the order that we complete tasks, utilizing our equipment in some different combinations and setting clinical benchmarks, we’re achieving great outcomes.” Scott credits the implementation of new guidelines that were shared at an emergency medical services conference a few years ago. Prairie Township Fire Department’s cardiac arrest protocols now incorporate the Cardiac Arrest Priorities Approach, or CAPA protocol. “We were able to work with our medical director and put them into practice here in Prairie Township,” he said. One of the significant protocol changes the department has implemented is how medics administer medications during cardiac arrest, Scott says. Medication administration is now based on benchmarks that medics monitor through a particular vital sign. “That vital sign is known as Capnography, which is an instrument used to measure the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air,” he said. “When the patient’s exhaled carbon dioxide reaches a certain level, we know that cardiac medications are more likely to be effective.” Another example of a newer protocol the department has initiated is the use of a physical therapy wedge. “This wedge keeps the patient’s head at a 30- degree angle during CPR to reduce increased pressure inside their skull,” Scott said. “This increased pressure, caused from receiving CPR while lying flat, can cause long-term neurological effects even after the heart is restarted.” CREATIVITY Continued from page 1 www.columbusmessenger.com One additional factor can help improve resuscitation efforts - before medics ever arrive on scene. “Early CPR is always important, as well as the use of an AED, when available,” Scott said. “Everyone should learn CPR. It’s easy to do and can literally save a life.” The American Heart Association and local fire departments often have information available on where residents can learn CPR and how to use an AED, Scott says. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure used to manually preserve brain function by circulating blood and oxygen to the heart and brain through chest compressions. An automated external defibrillator, or AED, is a portable device that uses electrocardiogram technology to analyze the heart’s rhythm and determine if a shock is needed. AEDs are commonly found in public places like airports, schools and sports venues. Prairie Township medics use a machine called a LUCAS device that performs unlimited, perfect CPR, Scott says. “Studies show that humans are only capable of performing effective CPR for up to two minutes before they require relief,” he said. “As the quality of CPR decreases, so does its effectiveness. That’s why it’s important to call for assistance as quickly as possible when you realize someone needs help.” America’s Fa Fa av av vorite Treasure ure e Hunts! 2023 Feb. 25 & 26 Mar. 25 & 26 Antiques, Collectibles, Jewelry, Vintage, Home Decor, Militaria and more! Nov. 25 & 26 Dec. 16 & 17 “During the fall, we focused on cooking, social emotional and community,” she said. “During winter, we are working on various themes and starting seedlings to plant out in the garden.” Activities vary from harvesting fruits and vegetables to creating variations of recipes, using natural items found in the garden to make dyes, and creating nature art. Students also learn about ways they can use nature to regulate their bodies and how they can give back to the community by harvesting or creating items that offer joy. “The hope is that what we teach them or engage them in will become lifelong knowledge and experiences,” Gil said. Planting seeds and taking them home provides a science experiment students can follow, while learning the various insects and how they may help or harm plants help them know which bugs they may need to relocate to help the plants in the garden thrive, she says. This winter, the garden club has held anywhere between two to three sessions weekly. Each day, up to 10 students have attended. “So we may have anywhere from 20 to 30 students who come to the garden weekly,” Gil said. Kindergarten through 6th-grade students who live or go to school on the Hilltop are eligible to sign up for the garden club. Others who are interested in volunteering can sign up for a variety of opportunities, from helping with educational programming to working in the garden and behind-the-scenes planning. Gil says the organization will welcome volunteers again for this season starting March 1. Volunteers can sign up online at highlandyouthgarden.org/get-involved. community events Meet President Harding The Hilltop Historical Society will present Scott Rankin in his presentation as President Warren G. Harding. Rankin will talk about some of the accomplishments of his presidency, such as the creation of the VA, the FAA, and other projects. The event will take place at 3 p.m. Feb. 19 at Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1100 S. Hague Ave. in Columbus. Free lunch at Hilltop Methodist The United Hilltop Methodist Church will host a free community lunch every Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is located at 99 S. Highland Ave.
www.columbusmessenger.com In Education Staffing levels increase for SWCS food and transportation departments By Dedra Cordle Staff Writer The supervisors at two of the most vital departments within the South-Western City Schools District presented the board of education with its annual report last month. The officials said that while their departments continue to experience pandemic-related shortages in some key areas of operation, they believe they are starting to turn a corner in regard to their overall staffing levels. At the Jan. 23 board meeting, transportation supervisor Tim Cox reported that there are 180 bus drivers currently on staff and that there is a potential that number could increase by seven should drivers-intraining receive their licensure. With more than four dozen bus aides on hand, Cox said he takes some comfort in those numbers but his concern continues to lay at the substitute level. According to Cox, the district currently has 11 substitute drivers and 16 substitute bus aides. He said those numbers, in particular the former, are not adequate enough in comparison to the size of the district. “We need to have about 20 substitutes per day,” he said. Cox said some of the issue with the substitutes they currently have is that these are not individuals who can commit to taking on regular routes for the district. “Out of those 11 substitutes that we have, we probably have four or five that would be able to come in Monday through Friday and help,” he said. He added that most have full-time jobs elsewhere and can only do field trips afterschool. While helpful, Cox said they need to find more individuals who can commit to coming in when their regular bus drivers are ill or on leave. Although the substitute shortage is not quite as dire as it has been in the past two years, Cox said the district continues to recruit and feels their efforts to shore up those numbers have made an impact. “My belief is, with the economy and getting clientele to come in, it has been a little bit easier to recruit and get individuals interested in the job,” he said. “So it definitely does seem like it is getting a little bit better.” The district currently pays bus drivers $20.82 per hour and substitute bus drivers $18.80 per hour. The district also covers most of the expenses incurred as recruits go through the process to obtain their Commercial Drivers License. For instance, Cox said the district pays for the drug test, the physical, the required state courses, and the CDL training while the recruit pays for the temporary license and their CDL Class B School Bus Passenger Endorsement. He encouraged those who have an interest in driving a school bus — or even those with a flexible work schedule who are trying to make some extra money — to reach out to the district through their website for potential job opportunities. In other transportation news, Cox said the department’s fleet of buses are in good condition. There are currently 213 buses and vans in service and a majority of them are newer models. He added that the district ordered 15 new buses last year but are still waiting to receive three of the buses. He said the arrival was delayed due to a back-order of parts for the handicap accessible buses. Lisa Hamrick, the supervisor of the food services department, also presented an annual report where she discussed staffing levels. According to Hamrick, the staffing situation at the food services department has rebounded from the previous year, especially at the substitute level. She attributed that bounce to a pay increase that now sees substitute cooks earning $13 per hour and the removal of a state requirement which mandated cooks at all levels take a civil service test. “When that went away, it seemed like the flood gates opened and we were ecstatic,” said Hamrick. Around this time last year, the food service department had 30 open positions — or a 16 percent shortage in their staffing levels. This year, however, the food service department has roughly 10 open positions — or a 5 percent shortage in their staffing levels. Hamrick said she was comfortable with those numbers but stated they will continue to recruit at the substitute level. Like Cox, Hamrick encouraged those with an interest in food service to reach out to the district through its website for employment opportunities. In related food service news, Hamrick said the district is currently serving 6,500 daily breakfasts and 12,700 daily lunches. She said there was only a slight decrease in participation from last year’s numbers when the federal government provided free meals for school districts nationwide due to the pandemic. The measure to continue to provide free meals for school districts nationwide for the 2022-23 school year was not extended by the federal government. Reading with Rover at Westland Area Library The Westland Area Library will host a Reading with Rover program at 10:30 a.m. March 14 at 4740 West Broad St. in Columbus. This event will feature multiple dogs for children to interact with while they sing, dance, and celebrate the impact that animals have on our lives. No registration is necessary. February 12, 2023 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 3 Thomas Rouse DDS, Jason T. Culley DDS FAGD • General Family Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Dental Implants and Crowns No insurance, no problem: In Office Membership Program available to adults and children. 1225 Dublin Rd. STE 40 Columbus, Oh 43215 614-488-9050 SENIORS — HELP IS HERE! Your Doorstep to Your Doctor! We provide: • Transportation • Personal Coordinated Team Care • Concierge Service • Convenience of all services under one roof • Superior Healthcare • We serve to 55+ Medicare-eligible Community Call for more information: Cyndi Romo, MGC - Membership Growth Consultant 380-245-6011 cyndi.romo@dedicated.care Let’s change the world together! NORTH 2260 Morse Rd Partnership with Accepting most insurance FREE Whitening with a New Patient exam 9745 Fairway Dr. Powell, Oh 43065 614-766-5722 3 LOCATIONS: WESTSIDE 50 N. Wilson Rd. 5040 Palmetto St. STE A Columbus, Oh 43228 614-878-7733 WHITEHALL 5156 E. Main St.
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Westside Messenger - February 12th, 2023

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