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Youth Congress Leadership Visits L.A. County Fire Station #89

Story by Heather Melendez

On Wednesday February 12th, the participants of the Youth Congress Leadership Program had the wonderful opportunity to visit Fire Station #89 of the L.A County Fire Department. Through informative discussions, and an in-depth look at both a fire engine and a fire truck, as well as the many tools used to combat fires, the young leaders have an even greater appreciation of the work of firefighters. They also grasped the importance of team work and unity needed in order to create a positive and successful environment. 

First, we began our visit with a detailed discussion on how one becomes a firefighter.  As the conversation progressed, we began to learn the competitive nature of this field. Sometimes it can take fifteen years just to be hired! It took our speaker quite a while but he ultimately made it into the field with dedication and persistence. As mentioned, it is these key factors that ultimately can make any leader in any field successful. He proceeded to tell us about the work hours for firefighters, their yearly schedule, and his experiences. He also mentioned the growing importance of consistently passing exams that will allow each firefighter to become more knowledgeable in the field.

Next, we learned background information about the fire engine such as what it means to wear an orange hat, where specific firefighters sit in the truck, and how the varied 9-1-1 calls call for different defense measures. Wearing the orange helmet signifies who the captain is and having a specific seat in the fire engine demonstrates a person’s rank and job as well. Ultimately, each person plays an important role; without one, the efficiency of the team will be in jeopardy. We even had a first hand experience of trying on their suits! The weight of the suit, as well as carrying tools and an axe, taught us about not only the mental factor but also about the physical expectations in this field.

Lastly, we were introduced to the rich and varied uses of equipment and how they were organized on the fire engine. With the striking growth of technology, it is no doubt that these firemen only use the best technology when it comes to their job. From defibrillators to special goggles that allow firemen to see the body heat, they explained the purpose of why these tools were made of certain materials and demonstrated how they were used. They even passed around some of their tools. This was very exciting.

As the tour came to an end, the Youth Leaders and Firemen took a picture together and the students have an even greater appreciation and respect for their service to the community. 

    

Pictures from Senior Congress X

 


Photos by Pat Morgan

Senior Congress X a Major Success

The Future Foundation’s tenth annual Senior Congress held last Wednesday at St. Max’s Church in Westlake Village drew a standing room only crowd to hear speakers on the topic,  “Demystifying Senior Medical Concerns: What Every Senior Should Know”

Dr. David Reuben Addresses Senior Congress

Registration for the event started at 8:45 a.m., but seniors began arriving as early as 8:15 to get a good seat. They weren’t disappointed.  Exhibits were opened at 8:45 and Dr. David Reuben, MD, Director, UCLA Multicampus Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology,  was the leadoff speaker at 9:30 a.m. Dr. Reuben’s talk, “Senior Medical Concerns: A Reality Check,” was as entertaining as it was informative.

After welcoming remarks by Future Foundation Chair, Louis Celaya, and Senior Congress X Chair, Carolyn Kopp, the program was in full swing. Steven Russak, MD, with Kaiser Permanente spoke on “Quarterbacking Your Health Care,” and Dr. Ja-Hong Kim, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology, UCLA School of Medicine filled us in on “What Everybody Wants to Know, But Nobody Wants to Talk About.” From Dr. Lucia Dattoma, MD, Geriatrician, UCLA Health, Thousand Oaks, we learned that “No Fall is an Accident.”

Senior Congress Attendees 2014

After a one hour break for lunch, we heard from Dr. Razmig Krumian, DO, Medical Director, Buena Vista Hospice about “How Health Changes Impact Seniors and Families.” The next topic, “Is it Becoming Harder to “Do No Harm?” was presented by Melissa Dinolfo, PharmD, BCOP, Director, Pharmacy, Department of Medicine Hematology Oncology Practices, UCLA Health. Our final speaker was Dr. Molly Joel Coye, MD, MPH, Chief Innovation Officer, UCLA Health, who spoke on “Senior Lead innovation- The Path to the Future of Healthcare.”

Exhibits Provide Valuable Information

Senior Congress was free to all attendees and would not have been possible without the support of premier sponsor UCLA Health and the 31 other sponsors. The Future Foundation is grateful to them all.

Youth Congress Leadership Explores Medical Services at Los Robles Hospital

On Wednesday January 22nd, the participants of the Youth Congress Leadership Program had the pleasure of meeting at Los Robles Hospital, where we were learned about many facets of the hospital. We enjoyed presentations by several of the professional staff who work there.

First, we met with Irene Brennick, who is in charge of the volunteer program at the hospital and she introduced us to two student volunteers. We then met with Lynn Tadlock, Director of Emergency Services, who told us about her experiences at the hospital and led us in an engaging activity based on what triage nurses do. Three students volunteered to act as people needing to go to the emergency room and each had a different ailment. There was only one bed available and we had to decide who would get it. We learned a lot about how an emergency room works.

Next, Debbie Licht, RN explained how to do CPR and then we each practiced on dummies so that hopefully we would be able to save someone’s life in the future. Next we met Gabe Bullaro, VP of Surgical Services who taught us about problem solving and showed us how surgeons perform robotic surgery.

Lastly, we were introduced to Lee Abramo, a veteran nurse of 38 years in the emergency room, who told us about her love of the nursing field and all the benefits of being a nurse. She even told us about the time she saved a life at the Reagan Library! This was a very exciting meeting and we would like to thank Los Robles Hospital for accommodating us and for providing a wonderful, inspiring experience.

Afterward, Ms. Brennick told us about the wonderful volunteer program at Los Robles. There are a total of 750 volunteers at the hospital who help in many different ways. It is such a great program that many of the Youth Congress Leadership Program participants signed up to volunteer!

Story by Ana Gougas

Thank you to our 2014 Senior Congress Major Sponsors

Title Sponsor:

UCLA Health

Atria Senior Living -Atria Hillcrest - Atria Grand Oaks

Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks

Silverado Senior Living

 Thrivent Financial

AlmaVia of Camarillo

Buena Vista Hospice & Home Health

Home Helpers Caregivers

OakView

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary

Youth Congress Leadership at Civic Arts Plaza

Story by Heather Melendez:

On Wednesday, January 8 2014, the Youth Congress Leadership Program kicked off the new year with their third meeting at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Here, Mr. Jonathan Serret gave us an in-depth idea of what it is like to work in a recreational theater today.  He not only touched on everything needed to make a production successful, but he also explained the current state and importance of the Arts in our community.

We began our meeting with a tour of the smaller theater which we learned is also used for City Council meetings.  Here Mr. Serret explained theatrical terms that came from the early Roman times. He also explained the importance of maintaining the theater to preserve it for the community. We then walked across to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza where we learned about volunteer opportunities, cultural arts in the plaza and how this art plaza differed from the rest with its unique capacity both back stage and in the audience.

We finished with a back stage tour of the Fred Kavli Theater. We learned about both the technical and mechanical tools needed to make a production successful. We also learned about the history of the “Green Room” and how it got its name. Without a doubt, Mr. Serret changed our perspective on community services and how imperative recreation through the Arts is to our community.

Story by Heather Melendez