Welcome to The Waynesboro First Aid Crew!
Every 4 Minutes Someone Dies From A Stroke, Do You Know The Signs?
Stroke Facts
- Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, killing about 140,000 Americans each year—that’s 1 of every 20 deaths.1
- A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
- Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. Every four minutes, someone dies of stroke.2
- Every year, about 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. About 610,000 of these are first or new strokes; 185,000 are recurrent strokes.2
- Stroke is an important cause of disability. Stroke reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors age 65 and over.2
- Stroke costs the nation $34 billion annually, including the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.2
- You can’t control some stroke risk factors, like heredity, age, gender, and ethnicity. Some medical conditions—including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, overweight or obesity, and previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)—can also raise your stroke risk. Avoiding smoking and drinking too much alcohol, eating a balanced diet, and getting exercise are all choices you can make to reduce your risk.
Common Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg—especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Let’s Talk About Heart Attacks
A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, occurs when a part of the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough blood flow. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart muscle. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Every year, about 790,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these cases
- 580,000 are a first heart attack.
- 210,000 happen to people who have already had a first heart attack.1
One of 5 heart attacks is silent—the damage is done, but the person is not aware of it.1 Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of heart attack. A less common cause is a severe spasm, or sudden contraction, of a coronary artery that can stop blood flow to the heart muscle. If you know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and recognize that you or someone near you is having a heart attack, seek immediate treatment by calling 9-1-1. The longer you wait, the more damage to the heart muscle can occur.
READ MORE from the CDC
CSEMS Announces 2017 Regional Awards
Congratulations to all of the award recipients who were recognized at the 2017 Central Shenandoah EMS Council Regional Awards Ceremony! Waynesboro First Aid Crew would especially like to recognize one of it’s own part-time career staff – Jeremy Green NRP, for being awarded Outstanding Pre-Hospital Educator. Jeremy joined the CSEMS staff in December 2015 as a full time EMS Educator.
Each year, there are EMS providers and other participants in the system who stand out for their remarkable accomplishments. This awards program provides EMS personnel an opportunity to recognize the outstanding efforts of their fellow EMS colleagues.
To read more CLICK HERE
WFAC Assists Rockingham County With Water Rescue
On Thursday, May 25th Waynesboro First Aid Crew was dispatched to assist Rockingham County with a water rescue with 5 people reported in the water in swift water conditions. Medic Response 10 and Boat 1 responded to this incident with 2 personnel. Thankfully the victims were all recovered and no further incidents occurred in relation to this event.
We would like to use this as a reminder to all that heavy rains can cause flash flooding which in turn will increase the speeds of rivers as well as cause rushing water on roadways. Be safe while out on the river in these conditions and also use the motto of “turn around, don’t drown” when confronted with flash flooding on roadways.
WFAC Holds Annual Banquet
The Waynesboro First Aid Crew held it’s annual banquet on January 6, 2018. It was a night of reflection on the year that was 2017 and a night to look forward to 2018. In addition to food and drinks, the annual awards for 2017 were given and are listed below.
Chief’s Award
Brad Melson
President’s Award
Susan Sweet
Community Service Awards
Waynesboro First Aid Crew Auxiliary
Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad
Harlan “Pop” Senger Memorial ~ Senior Officer of the Year
Matthew Wells
Harold H. “Jack” Hess Crewmember of the Year
Justin Tyree
Amanda Goolsby
John W. Greene Memorial Award
Gary Critzer – Director of Waynesboro Department of Emergency Management
Kyle Southern Memorial “Service Above Self” Award
Matthew Wells
Employee of the Year Award
Konnie Fisher
WFAC Lifetime Membership
Justin Tyree
Other Awards Presented
John W. Green Memorial Scholarship
· Matthew Carter – WFAC Staff
· Victoria Gauldin – WFAC Volunteer
· Michael Gibson – WFAC Staff
· David Jones – grandson of Auxiliary Life Member Connie Jones
Highest Number of Calls Answered for 2017
· Career Staff – Darren Bishop
· Senior Crew – Justin Tyree
· Junior Crew – Ryan Nichols
Years of Service Recognition:
3 Years of Service
· Amanda Peduto – Career Staff
· Amanda Loreti – Career Staff
· Brent Austin – Career Staff
· Katie King – Career Staff
· Aaron Bunch – Career Staff
· Shane Wheeler – Career Staff
· Derek Price – Career Staff
· Amanda Fitzwater – Volunteer
5 Years of Service
· Victoria Gauldin – Volunteer
· Danielle McCormick – Volunteer
· Paul Goulart – Career Staff
· Jennifer Hansborough – Career Staff
10 Years of Service
· Justin Tyree – Volunteer