Worship Security Academy’s Post

Jim Etzin, thank you for highlighting this important topic: the crisis doesn't stop at the Emergency Department doors no matter how the patient arrives. Hospital surge response to an acute disaster is time and resource intensive requiring rapid access to enhanced SUPPLIES, STAFF, and SPACE. Today’s US medical system struggles with all these resources often daily and in routine operations, let alone mass casualty events. As a result, hospitals find it increasingly challenging to respond to a rapid influx of patients. Supplies: A 2023 study by the largest pharmacy professional association, the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, found that 99% of member respondents surveyed experienced medication shortages with almost one-third facing critically impactful shortages requiring rationing or causing delays in treatment. Critical medical equipment shortages are common as well. Space: When minutes matter in a patient's care, proximity to a trauma center is critical. Yet hospitals are closing especially in rural areas. 40% of US counties (and more than 75% of rural counties) affecting approximately 1 in 6 Americans, are trauma deserts, (greater than a 60-minute drive to a trauma center) and over one in five US counties, in mostly rural areas, are hospital deserts. Within hospitals across the US, emergency department boarding is a national crisis. This means patients who are admitted to the hospital are occupying ED beds, sometimes in hallways, awaiting an inpatient bed. Not only is this difficult for these patients, these ED beds are then not available to absorb a sudden influx of patients such as in a shooting event, to the ED. Staff: The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), predicts a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Emergency physicians have the highest rate of burnout among physicians. Other specialties critical to maintenance of an effective trauma system are also facing future deficits: vascular surgery, ophthalmology... Nursing availability is also an uncertain in the coming decades. I am pleased to say my hospital, Cabell Huntington Hospital, has shouldered the responsibility to our community for mass casualty preparedness and we have developed strategies I believe can make a difference in an unexpected patient surge. I encourage emergency managers, local elected officials, school officials and other invested parties to meet with your local hospitals and emergency physicians to see what can be done to encourage and support their ability to respond to an event like this. I hope there will be federal and state resources devoted to hospital preparedness as well. #hospitalreadiness #activeshooter #emergencyphysician #emergencydepartment #hospitalboarding #stoppreventabledeath #MCI

I was invited to attend a Zoom call from The White House on Friday led by Gregory Jackson Jr., Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and facilitated by Feven Solomon, Senior Advisor for Public Engagement at the White House. They were joined by Oresa Napper-Williams of advocacy organization Not Another Child (https://lnkd.in/eqE8QzUt), which helps inner-city families who are directly impact by violence, and Anthony Smith of Cities United (https://lnkd.in/eZK5KM6w), which works to create safe, healthy, and hopeful communities with holistic approaches to gun violence. Deputy Director Jackson talked about the huge investments made in communities through local and national organizations, in wraparound services, and in mental-health professionals in schools. He also talked about the reduction in homicides of young Black men and boys—and the challenging work still to be done—and the urgent need for people to properly secure their firearms, given the central importance of time and distance between a moment of crisis and access to a firearm. He said: “There’s a common misconception that gun violence in Black communities is purely connected to gangs and drugs. But when we look at the stats, there’s a different story. Only 11 percent is connected to gang activity, and only 30 percent is connected to another felony. So what we’re seeing is really a crisis of individuals lashing out and having interpersonal conflict and retaliation—cycles of violence that roar on and cause trauma, which fuels future trauma. … “As you think about prevention, one of the most impactful ways that we can prevent violence when thinking about youth is really focusing on those who have suffered loss, because we know that most individuals who commit an act of gun violence were victimized first. It may not mean they were directly shot, but they have been traumatized or suffered loss. By working with those who have suffered loss or been harmed, even at a very young age, elementary age—who lost a father or brother or witnessed a traumatic event—investing in those youth and providing therapeutic support and emotional and sometimes economic support we know can drastically prevent the likelihood of future violence. … “We know that hurt people hurt people, but also this Administration is committed to working with you to ensure we are healing people, knowing that healed people can heal people.” #whitehouse #preventgunviolence #Blackhealing #Blackcommunity 

Gun violence is not normal, and Americans do not need to accept it as such.  We have the tools, strategies, and people to prevent daily tragedies resulting from this violence. But for too long, the federal government has dramatically underspent on proven community-based programs that address the root causes of gun violence, while spending billions in reactive interventions after harmful and fatal incidents have already occurred. It’s time for a proactive approach. Tell Congress to pass the Break the Cycle of Violence Act now to provide federal grants for community violence intervention programs.

Although often overlooked when discussing the impact of gun violence, the number of survivors with physical injuries, including paralysis, far surpasses the number of fatalities, with a 2020 study estimating twice as many injured survivors as deaths. Join us June 10th from 1-3 pm ET for "The Untold Impact of Gun Violence: Supporting Survivors Living with Paralysis." In this webinar, you will: Hear from individuals impacted by gun violence, including survivors, family members, and caregivers. Learn about federal initiatives through the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and resources available through the National Paralysis Resource Center. Discover community organizations supporting gun violence survivors. Leave with steps you can take to support those impacted by gun violence. Register now at https://bit.ly/3yJ7IJ4 Speakers include a representative from the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, as well as Namel Norris, Anna Holly, Chris Neary, Myreo Dixon, Erin Cobb, Candace Coleman, Michael Walthall, Chris Hilderbrant, Ralph Norman, Rahsaan Wise, and Shay Powell. Register now at https://lnkd.in/eXp9Kegx. #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth #GunViolenceSurvivors #DisabilityCommunity #TodaysCare Image: A graphic with a dark blue background and orange and yellow stripes at the top. The details of the webinar are written in white text.

🚨 Urgent Call to Action!🚨 Colorado faces a looming crisis with significant cuts to victim services funding. HB24-1349 proposes a groundbreaking solution: creating a sustainable source of funding for vital victim services, not focused on guns or gun violence. Rep. Monica Duran's bill aims to raise an estimated $60 million annually to support crime victim services and other essential causes. Here's how YOU can make a difference: 1️⃣ Reach out to your state legislators NOW and emphasize your support for HB24-1349. 2️⃣ Spread the word to friends, family, and fellow advocates about the urgent need for sustainable funding for crime victim services. 3️⃣ Stay informed and engaged in the legislative process by following updates on HB24-1349 and attending committee hearing on March 25th. Together, let's ensure access to critical services for all Coloradans and prevent devastating cuts to victim services. #SupportSurvivors #Crisis4Victims #DayAtTheCapitol #COPolitics #COLeg 💜 https://lnkd.in/gss7V8nb

"A recent CAP report showed that gun homicides dramatically decreased in the first quarter of 2024. Philadelphia is one of the major U.S. cities that’s seen the sharpest decline, with a 16 percent decrease in gun violence compared with the national drop of 13 percent. Last week, Philadelphia electeds and community leaders gathered for a press conference to shine a light on CVI programs as a key driver behind this large reduction in gun violence. “From the data, we can see it’s clear that investing in neighborhood-based anti-violence and youth-related organizations is a fundamental part of the reduction in crime,” said state Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-PA) at the event.  Despite these results, CVI programs are still severely underfunded, jeopardizing their long-term effectiveness and sustainability in communities.  In partnership with the Giffords Center to Prevent Gun Violence, CAP has released a new video to explain what exactly CVI is and how introducing and investing in these programs can produce beneficial changes such as those occurring in Philadelphia, improving overall public safety."

How can places of worship enhance security measures to protect their congregations and visitors? Community Shaken: Three Shot Outside Ohio City Church During Evening Event Three individuals were shot outside St. Malachi Parish in Cleveland during a Monday night meal event. All sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The incident, believed to be a shootout, did not involve parish members or guests but caused significant alarm and damage to parked cars. Police are investigating and increasing patrols to ensure neighborhood safety. Key Takeaways: - Enhanced Security Measures: Emphasize the importance of increasing security at places of worship, including surveillance systems, security personnel, and emergency response plans. - Community Support Services: Highlight the need for accessible mental health support and counseling for individuals affected by violent incidents to aid in their recovery and well-being. - Collaborative Violence Prevention: Discuss the significance of police-community partnerships in creating comprehensive strategies to prevent violence and ensure public safety in community spaces. #churchsecurity #churchsafety https://lnkd.in/guhi2jm4

King County Executive Dow Constantine has launched the 100 Days of Action, an intensive initiative to confront gun violence. The initiative aims to expand community resources and intervention programs to pave the way for lasting change. The initiative comes as gun violence remains the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens, with at least 4,994 people having died from gun violence in the U.S. since 2020. The initiative is backed by a $1.6 million investment from the county, including $1 million to expand community-led violence intervention programs and $250,000 to support victims and families impacted by gun violence. The city of Seattle is also investing $10 million in youth mental health and safety, with $2.4 million allocated to expand access to telehealth services and $2 million towards violence prevention, intervention, and interruption services. The initiative is modeled after similar short-term, intensive gun violence prevention programs across the country that have shown successful outcomes. The U.S. Surgeon General has also declared gun violence a national public health issue, emphasizing the importance of collective action. What are your thoughts on the 100 Days of Action initiative? Do you believe it can make a difference in addressing gun violence?

Gun violence has become a pressing issue in King County, with a recent increase in shootings and fatalities. Councilmember Girmay Zahilay has proposed a $1 million investment from the supplemental budget to implement a comprehensive gun violence prevention strategy. Zahilay's plan focuses on addressing the root causes of gun violence, which he identifies as poverty, disinvestment, trauma, and lack of anger management resources. He believes that providing resources and opportunities for youth to engage in positive activities is a key part of the solution. Dominique Davis, Founder and CEO of Community Passageways, agrees with Zahilay and emphasizes the need for governmental support to address gun violence. He notes that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem by shutting down schools, athletic programs, and other activities that occupied teenagers' time. The legislation, co-sponsored by Councilmember Jorge Barón, proposes adding $1 million to the Executive's supplemental budget and mandates King County to develop a specific gun violence prevention plan by September. The plan includes five pillars that focus on strengthening systems and relationships, creating clear protocols, establishing a resource database and deployment plan, implementing advanced targeted intervention strategies, and securing sustainable funding. What are your thoughts on this proposal? Do you believe it will be effective in reducing gun violence in King County?

The riots that have spread across the UK. The violence as people try to enter a migrant hotel. The fury of the mob as they try to burn down a police station. The madness in the eyes of a man as they stab somebody for being brown. They are all symptomatic of rhetoric we've turned a blind eye to, rolled our eyes at, or even at times sought to justify by "trying to be neutral" whatever the f*ck that means. The definition of society is "the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community". That means that the rioters are every bit as much us, as the police on the front line or those joining the clean ups. The knife carrying thug is as much you or I as the burger dispensing, wise Imam offering dialogue. The dog whistling politicians as much us as a furious Prime Minister or enraged Home secretary. The parent of a rioter as much one of us as the parent of a murdered child. We might not want the hooded face of the angry white man to be "who we are", but until the active anti-racism and active anti-bogotry and active compassion of each of us for all of us extinguishes the flames of hatred, we must all be prepared to look in the mirror and be appalled by what we see looking back. Of course we will say we don't want this violence, and yet it happens. Sometimes we need a comparison to make it less personal. Many of us rolled our eyes at the claim of the US President that "this is not who we are" after shots rang out in Butler, Pennsylvania. We have watched gun violence propogate in the US and thousands of innocents have lost their lives. We despair from across the water, looking at a country that will not change. This is who America is. A society that will not change. It is a society that will not give up its guns. A society that will blame anything other than widespread gun ownership for gun violence. Of course there are individuals and communities that call for change but still a 20 year old can get a gun and fire off 8 shots at a Presidential nominee. Well "United" Kingdom...it's our turn now. Until we all take action. Until we all take a stand. Then this is who we are - for good and ill. A dis-United Kingdom. But we can't just point and shake our heads and say this is somebody else's problem.