The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,a reminder that in less than 2 days the Valley Hospital will be moving to Paramus. At 6:00 am on Sunday, April 14th the new Valley Hospital facility will open in Paramus. Patients will be transported from Ridgewood to Paramus via Linwood Avenue, and ambulance staging will take place at Graydon.
the staff of The Ridgewood Blog
It is now being reported that possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees that should have been billed in connection with Village provided emergency ambulance transportation, and/or treatment, was neither billed nor collected because Emergency Services volunteers failed to process the required documentation.
Continue reading Emergency : Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water
file photos by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Governor Murphy has signed a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado that would honor first responders throughout the state by designating October of each year as First Responders Appreciation Month.
Continue reading ‘First Responders Appreciation Month’ Signed into Law in New Jersey
The ability to drive could be considered essential in this day and age. It allows people the freedom to cover more ground and opens up opportunities that would be difficult without wheels. There is more traffic on the road than ever before. In the US alone, there are 276 million drivers; that’s a lot of vehicles! More traffic means more risk, and it’s a sad fact that 1.35 million people die in traffic accidents each year.
February 17,2018
By Stanley A. Kober, KC2ZXB
Stanley A. Kober, KC2ZXB(sakober@yahoo.com), Historic Ho-Ho-Kus Researcher, A.L.I.C.E. Certified Trainer, Former Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus CERT Program Manager (T-T-T) , Former CERT/Bergen County R.A.C.E.S. Deputy Liaison Officer
Ho Ho Kus NJ, Every organization whether for profit or not for profit, professional, religious, veterans, law enforcement, historical, military, municipal, emergency
services, amateur radio operations, etc., should have the strategy to operate in the most efficient and effective means as possible. Actually, that applies to each
of us as individuals as well. Not only does it have the ability to save money (and possibly lives), it allows us to do more things in the same amount of time. After
all, time is fixed and no one can change that construct.
In order for us to accomplish an organizational or personal strategy we more likely than not use technology, but technology changes over time. The
Washington Post had an on-line article that presented those changes very well at https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/entertainment/tech-generations/?utm_term=.58e805b0d158. Unless you are a Luddite, you use technology every day. [A Luddite as described in the www.UrbanDictionary.com is one “who fears technology (or new technology, as they seem pleased with how things currently are…why can’t everything just be the same?)”]
In this short article, I’m going to address just one aspect of that change which is becoming more and more evident to us on a daily basis through the use of our smartphones. That “new” technology is called “QR Codes” or “Quick Response Codes”. You know, you’ve seen that little square with all the funny black lines and boxes in advertising circulars, newspapers, etc., but don’t be fooled, these ARE NOT BARCODES. On the right is one of my own examples that I have created. If you have a smartphone, iPad, tablet, or similar device with a camera and the applicable software installed to read the code, you should be able to go to this fantastic FaceBook®page. Not all reading software is the same, so some features may not work in the software on your device that will work in other software. In other words, “Caveat Emptor”—”Buyer Beware”.
Allow me to put it in a nutshell why one should use a QR Code in their literature, signage, advertising materials, documents, procedures, manuals, etc.
Let’s take one example that was used earlier in this article—the Washington Post article on technology. In most, if not all paper printing by newspapers,
hyperlinks associated with what was displayed in print (on-line publications are different) are removed. NOTE: A “hyperlink” is the underlined portion of the
reference that allows you to click on it and bring up the article on the website.
Can you imagine how long it would take you to enter that WaPo reference into the address line of your device’s internet web browser and when you make one
wrong character you need to restart? I’m certain you wouldn’t waste your time February 07, 2018 Page 2 of 3 by entering all those characters. There we go again—that fixed construct called “time” rears its head.
In order to save “time”, because “time” is money, one can use a device that has a camera and the appropriate software to read the QR Code and go DIRECTLY to the associated reference, in this case the Washington Post article referenced earlier. Read the QR Code at the right with your smartphone and appropriate software. But, just a point of caution,
newspaper articles may not be in the same place for very long, so the link eventually might not work when going to
the original website of the media.
We know that technology is great and can do many things for us if we have the right tools with which to work. For example, QR Code generating software is all over the Internet and the software to read the codes that are
generated are abounding as well. However, when shopping for the ability to generate or read the QR code you need to have in mind what you really want to do with it—in other words, what is your goal. Remember I talked about “strategy” at the beginning of this article? Well, a “strategy” is the place where we want to be and the “goal” or “objective” is what we need to do to get there.
For example, one “strategy” might be that we want to operate in the most efficient and effective fashion as possible. One “goal” or “objective” to attain that “strategy” would be to utilize technology to the greatest extent as possible. Within “goals” or “objectives” are “tasks” that we do to meet a “goal” or “objective”. Using QR Codes is a “task” that we would use to meet our “goal” of using technology to attain our “strategy” to operate in the most efficient and effective fashion as possible. OK, enough of Management Theory, but I just wanted to put this capability in its proper perspective for
you. Now, let’s get back to QR Codes.
The first tool you need is a smartphone, iPad, tablet or similar device to be able to read the generated code. On that device you need a camera and the appropriate software to
read the code. An excellent listing of that software for many devices is found here at QR Phone Software (click on the link at the left or use your camera device to read the code at the right.)
Once you have the appropriate device and the optimal reading software, you need to have the proper software to create the QR Code that we want to use. Again, “Caveat Emptor”—”Buyer Beware”. There are many software packages on the market, but you need to test for the one you select to ensure that it operates the way YOU want it to do. For example, when I looked for my optimal reading software, one “free” package that I tested allowed me to get to the website that I wanted OK, but when I tried to download an Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format file (PDF), it would not allow me to do so. I deleted that installation immediately and moved on to others. So, in short, in selecting code generator software as well as reading software, compare the “free” packages, (called “free” even though they are coupled with advertising galore, so
they are really not “free” because it takes “time” to cancel them) and those that February 07, 2018 Page 3 of 3 might cost something for the generating software. The optimal one that I have found for my use is found at QR Code Generator. (click on the link at the left or use your device to read the code at the right.) It has many options, capabilities and truly free code generation even for testing. You might want to look at the informational videos and articles as well on that site while you’re there. By the way, if you still get ads in your reads, it’s not the QR Code generator that I am recommending here,
it’s your reading software.
Speaking of the code generator, one quick point I will add is that when you chose a QR Code type, you need to have the ability to select either a “static” OR “dynamic” code. Some software may allow only one, but you need to have both options for testing and live operations. Select “dynamic” even if you have other reasons, but especially if you have any intention of making changes to the code link (remember the news article referenced earlier that might have moved to another location?), even if you can’t think of something now, or you might want to do some analytics on the actions of the code (where did the access come
from; how many clicks were made on the code; etc.). In my opinion, there are very few activities which would require a “static” QR Code.
Before concluding, I’d like to give two examples of QR Codes in which one goes to an on-line website for a senior citizens organization and the other for use by emergency services personnel. The use of a QR Code for those in emergency services is at the right. For example, as a first responder you have a requirement to look at an instructional manual, procedure, or in this example, the latest Emergency Response Guide on line, but no one around you has a computer and you don’t have the time to search online for it on your device. In your preplanning for being an effective first responder, you have created a QR Code Card with your important links on it and you have it/them in your vehicle (POV and ERV), your pocket, your go bag, go kit, your trailer, wherever. Immediately, you can click on the QR Code like the one on the right and go directly to the guide on your device. By the way, you need to think about how you place the QR Codes on the card because if they are not sized and spaced properly you will get wrong launches and errors.
The last example for the Senior Citizens site is located at https://bcscccouncil.wordpress.com/ and the QR Code
for that site is at the right. It saves Seniors keystrokes!
So, in conclusion, if you want to get “ahead of the pack” and do things that will save you time and money, as well as give you broader access to your market or to materials that may be lifesaving, then use QR Codes in your technology goal for your organization. You will be amazed at what they can do for you.
file photo by Boyd Loving
January 5,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Many firefighters, emergency medical technicians and other volunteer first responders in New Jersey are being told to leave their posts for six months.
The State of New Jersey is saying that technically these volunteers hold two positions and must terminate from both positions in order to qualify for retirement benefits, when they retire .
State law says there must be a six-month separation of service from the town retires from before he can receive any compensation from the town again or else he puts his pension in jeopardy.
State Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R-Westwood) said many towns rely heavily on volunteer services. Thus, she introduced a bill two years ago that would get rid of the six-month separation for firefighters.
“Went through committee unanimously; went through the entire senate unanimously,” Schepisi said.
The problem is that the bill has not been put up for a final vote in the assembly. If it is not voted on by this week, it expires.
Only Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Secaucus) can bring the bill up for a vote. Schepisi said he assured her it would move forward, but so far, it has not
Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi , “For my NJ friends please call your state assembly representatives and ask them to get Assembly Bill A-536 posted for a vote by Speaker Vincent Prieto on Monday. Our volunteer firefighters and EMS face losing their pensions if they continue to volunteer after retirement from a State, school or municipal job. My bill fixes this absurd requirement but time is running out.”
January 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, from the Glen Rock Police department , we are just reiterating for 2018;
“We have heard that some people have been questioning the fact that photos of juveniles and others have been taken at police incidents in the past by members of the press or public.
The taking of photographs and/or videos by private citizens and media personnel is permitted within areas open to general public access and occupancy and is permitted under the US Constitution in the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. (Christopher Sharp v. Baltimore City Police Department, et. al.). No citizen has the expectation of privacy when they are in public regardless of their status as a victim, juvenile or offender.
A civilian may video record or photograph a police and public safety activities as long as they:
1. Remain at a reasonable distance;
2. Do not interfere with the duties and responsibilities of police and other public safety personnel;
3. Do not create a safety concern for the officer, a person detained, a victim, other persons or themselves.
A citizen’s right to record police activity is coextensive with that of the press. There should be no burden on an individual’s right to record police activity than they place on members of the press. A citizen does not need “press credentials” to record police officers engaged in the public discharge of their duties.”
November 25,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, On Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM, the Ridgewood Ambulance and Emergency Services and the Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps conducted a training exercise at the Glen Rock High School. There was a large presence of emergency medical personnel, ambulances and emergency vehicles at the High School. This drill was coordinated by Captain Murray Yang, of the Ridgewood Ambulance Corp, under the direction of Chief Tony Lillo, Ridgewood Emergency Services, Chief Ed Esposito, Glen Rock Ambulance Corp, Chief Dean Ackermann, Glen Rock Police.
The exercise was developed for the evaluation on the readiness of our emergency medical personnel, from radio communications, to evacuation procedures, and treatment protocols. The Officers and participants had a briefing following the exercise to assess any further training in which will be necessary in case a devastating incident occurs in our jurisdictions. The lessons learned from this exercise will be a basis for setting procedures and updating protocols for the cooperation and collaboration between Ridgewood Emergency Services and the Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Volunteers are always needed If you are interested and have the time for a rewarding commitment, please visit https://ridgewood911.ridgewoodnj.net
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
June 19,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS personnel rushed to save the life of an adult male who was found unresponsive and not breathing on a bench at the Ridgewood train station early Saturday afternoon, 06/18. A paramedic team from The Valley Hospital arrived on the scene as the man was being loaded onto a stretcher for removal from the train platform. The victim was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital in grave condition.
May 17, 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Health System has partnered with Share 911 to implement a new emergency alert and response system that will provide real-time information to both employees and first responders. This new technology will play a critical role in increasing the system-wide safety measures that protect employees, physicians, volunteers, patients and guests.
Share 911 is not a substitute for calling 911; rather it is a powerful tool that enables co-workers to help each other and make more informed decisions to protect themselves while the police, fire or EMS are en route.
According to Daniel Coss, Director of Security and Public Safety, The Valley Health System, “Over the past few years, Valley has implemented a number of new safety measures to protect both its staff and its patients. Access to Share 911 will serve as a 24/7 emergency resource for all employees.”
Share 911 was founded in 2013 by Ramsey resident Erik Endress, a 30-year volunteer firefighter, and Ray Bailey, a former deputy police chief. The program was then developed by a Ramsey, N.J. based start-up, OnScene Technologies Inc., which is led by developer Adrian Lanning.
The primary goal of Share 911 is to change the way that people respond to emergencies, with a focus on large buildings that have a large number of occupants. Its web-based system is currently being used in approximately 1,000 locations nationwide including hospitals, K-12 schools and private businesses.
When an individual calls 911, the information they share has to be funneled through dispatchers prior to being disseminated to first responders such as police and EMS. This system is highly effective during small scale emergencies, but can become less effective during large scale incidents due to dispatchers receiving an overwhelming volume of calls.
With the invention of Share 911, building occupants, security and police are able to receive real-time information about a current threat— fire, medical or other—on their smart phones, computers or tablets without going through a dispatcher. And, because it’s web-based, there are no limits to the number of people using it at any given time. This means that all employees can use the system simultaneously.
May 14,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ ,In 1973, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work that they do in our nation’s communities. Henceforth ,The Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood proclaimed the week of May 15 through May 21 as Emergency Medical Services Weekand encourages the community to support Ridgewood Emergency Services and all of their programs, ceremonies and activities. The members of Ridgewood Emergency Services are 24/7 ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need. These members engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills. The Village Council recognized the value and accomplishments of the Ridgewood Emergency Services with the 2016 theme “EMS STRONG-CALLED TO CARE”. The proclamation was presented to Chief/Director Tony Lillo with members of Ridgewood Emergency Service present at the May 10th Village Council meeting.
On any given day, Ridgewood Emergency Service EMT’s help save lives by responding to medical emergencies, including heart attack, difficulty breathing, a fall or accident, drowning, cardiac arrest, stroke, drug overdose or acute illness. The Ridgewood responders care for their patients’ medical needs and show caring and compassion to their patients in their most difficult moments. For the first 4 months of 2016, Ridgewood Emergency Services responded to over 530 requests for assistance while spending over 6500 hours being on duty and training away from their own families. Please find out more about Ridgewood Emergency Services at https://ridgewood911.
April 25,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Almost two years later the “Traffic Easing “project continues to appear ,”very ill-conceived, and frankly, dangerous”. When this project was initially hatched a project no one in town including some very long term residents had ever heard of until ground was basically broken.
“The only time in recent memory that I almost got hit was in this intersection and that was after the bike lanes were added ,narrowing the driving lanes to one each way. Someone tried and succeeded to pass me on the left as I was heading from the west side under the bridge. Now people are so used to no bikes in the bike lanes that the cars are actually using them to some degree. I do feel the bike lanes are dangerous to bikers and have made navigating this area more difficult. So, I don!t blame anybody for this recent accident but I do think Garber Square is an “accident waiting to happen.”
The Village Manager created a far larger traffic head ache with her “very ill-conceived, and frankly, dangerous” design. To make matter worse the Village manger placed a Village Digital sign in the vicinity to further distract , distracted drivers .
The “traffic easing” has also limited access for Emergency services vehicles , now the potential may be made worse by an over sized garage on Hudson street further restricting traffic patterns , What a mess Roberta !
Adult male jogger found unresponsive in Ridgewood
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
April 5,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, 04/03/2016: Ridgewood firefighters were kept busy throughout the day by two (2) incidents of fallen trees that became entangled in high voltage power lines. The incidents, located within a few blocks of one another, required responses from the Village’s police, Emergency Services, and Shade Tree Division personnel as well.
Ridgewood NJ , Chief Tony Lillo announced that the department purchased a new 2016 Ford F-450, four-wheel drive,Type I Horton ambulance from VCI Emergency Vehicles. “In accordance with our fleet replacement plan, this new ambulance will replace a 2000 Ford E-450 Type III PL Custom ambulance, one that has been in service for 15 years, well beyond its expected replacement date,” Lillo said.
The new ambulance, Ambulance 12, is now in service with the RES Ambulance 11, a 2003 International Freightliner and Ambulance 10, a 2007 Ford E450.Horton Emergency Vehicles Group, based in Grove City, Ohio, designed the state of the art ambulance in conjunction with RES Officers. The vehicle was manufactured with improvements in design and safety for the Emergency Medical Technicians and the patient. Improvements include 3 point restraints, privacy glass, airbags for EMTS in the patient compartment as well reverse cameras and blind spot cameras as well.
The ambulance is licensed by the NJ Department of Health and is staffed by NJ EMT’s.
In 2015, RES responded to 1704 requests for assistance. This amounts to 19,236 hours donated by the volunteers to the Village of
Ridgewood on active duty — a cost savings of more than $1 million to the Village of Ridgewood. This does not include time spent on
training, meetings, meeting and event preparation.
As a volunteer organization, RES is always looking for those who would love to serve their community. If you are interested in becoming a part of our family, a tour of our facility is highly recommended calling (201) 670-5589 or by emailing us at
membership@ridgewood911.org.
