Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Oshkosh Press Release: New CPR Technique Increases Survival Rate

New CPR Technique Increases Survival Rate
Oshkosh Fire Department is Part of Pilot Study


(Oshkosh, WI.) The Oshkosh Fire Department was recently highlighted in an international study that looked at an alternative method of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The Oshkosh Fire Department was the only emergency medical agency in the state of Wisconsin chosen to participate in this study, which was conducted in seven geographic regions in the United States.


The study, which was published in the January 19th, 2011 online version of Lancet, determined that active compression-decompression CPR with augmentation of negative intrathoracic pressure gave patients a better chance of survival.

See all City of Oshkosh News & Updates here.
In the randomized study, emergency medical service (EMS) agencies in urban, suburban and rural areas of the United States, including EMS in Oshkosh, provided either standard CPR or the new technique to adults who had a non-traumatic arrest presumed cardiac in nature.

The new technique uses two devices simultaneously to increase circulation. One is a handheld device that attaches with a small suction cup to the patient’s chest. After each compression, the suction cup allows the chest to be lifted up, stimulating blood flow. The second device, called an impedance threshold device, attaches to the patient’s airway using a facial mask or breathing tube. When the chest lifts upward, the impedance threshold device prevents air from rushing into the lungs. That creates a vacuum inside the chest and helps refill the heart after each compression. Researchers found in each compression decompression cycle, the heart and brain receive nearly three times more blood flow when compared with standard CPR.

A total of 813 standard CPR patients and 840 intervention patients were analyzed in the study. Researchers found 6% of the standard CPR patients survived to hospital discharge with favorable neurologic function. That compares with 9% in the intervention group (improvement of survival chance 53% in intervention group). The same proportions of patients in each group survived to one year.

About 800,000 people in the United States, Canada and Europe have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year. The survival rate averages just 5%, in part because standard CPR is inefficient, providing just 25% of healthy blood flow to the heart and brain.

The study was led by Dr. Tom P. Aufderheide, professor of emergency medicine at The Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Aufderheide also provided the information for this press release.


The link to the online version of Lancet can be found by clicking here.  The study will also be profiled in an upcoming print publication of Lancet.

For more information on the study or to learn more about Oshkosh Fire Department services please contact Fire Chief Tim Franz or Battalion Chief Jim Austad at (920) 236-5240

See all City of Oshkosh News & Updates here.

Monday, January 24, 2011

... and that's all I have to say about that...

We do not need illegal gambling machines on city property.

Free Seasonal Flu Shots

Free Seasonal Flu Shots

(Oshkosh, WI.) The city of Oshkosh Health Services Division would like to notify the public that a limited supply of injectable seasonal flu vaccine is available for free. Anyone four years of age and older is eligible.

The quantity is limited and will not be replaced, so you are encouraged to call for an appointment as soon as possible.

Please contact the Oshkosh Health Division at (920) 236-5030 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

See all City of Oshkosh News & Updates here.

Meeting for March 1 closure of Oshkosh’s 9th Avenue interchange

Meeting for March 1 closure of Oshkosh’s 9th Avenue interchange

Conversation to focus on 2011 construction schedule for US 41 Project (Green Bay) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region office in Green Bay is holding a meeting to discuss the construction schedule for the second phase of the US 41 mainline expansion project between WIS 26 and Witzel Avenue in Winnebago County. The open house meeting is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011 at the Winnebago County Highway Department, 901 West
County Road Y, Oshkosh. There will be a brief presentation at 5:15 p.m. A business outreach session is planned from noon to 2 p.m. with a brief presentation at 12:15 p.m.

The $53 million project involves widening US 41 from two to three lanes in each direction and includes the reconstruction of the 9th Avenue interchange. The work is being staged to enhance safety and minimize travel delays. The first phase began in August 2010 as temporary pavement was installed along the median and shoulders of US 41 to maintain two traffic lanes in each direction during 2011 construction.

Beginning March 1, 2011 the following work will start and continue through mid-July 2011:

• Reconstruction and expansion of northbound US 41 to three lanes, from approximately one mile south of WIS 26 to Witzel Avenue. All US 41 traffic will be shifted to the widened southbound lanes (two lanes in each direction)

• Reconstruction of 9th Avenue interchange, including overpass, ramps and construction of multi-lane roundabouts at 9th Avenue intersections at Washburn and Koeller streets

• Reconstruction of WIS 26 and WIS 44 interchange ramps

During this time 9th Avenue will close between Washburn Street and Koeller Street while
the overpass is demolished and rebuilt. The 9th Avenue bridge and northbound US 41 on-and-off ramps reopen in July, but southbound ramps remain closed until November 2011.

Construction scheduled from mid-July 2011 through November 2011 includes:

• Southbound US 41 reconstructed and widened to three lanes. All US 41 traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed northbound lanes (two lanes in each direction).

The public is encouraged to attend, provide input and ask questions about the project.

Construction displays and schedule information will be available. If you cannot attend the meeting and would like more information, please contact Project Manager Tom Buchholz at 492-0142 or send e-mail to Tom.buchholz@dot.wi.gov.

The meeting facility is wheelchair accessible. Hearing impaired persons needing assistance may call the Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay System (dial 711). To allow time for arranging assistance, please call no later than three working days prior to the meeting.

See all City of Oshkosh News & Updates here.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

becket's Grown-up Pinewood Derby v/ 2.0

Time
Saturday, April 16 · 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Locationbecket's atrium

Created By

More Infogrown-up derby version 2.0... registration 4:00...first heat 4:30...STRICT BSA rules apply...prizes for winners in multiple categories...fun for all ages...
please purchase kits from hobbytown oshkosh (http://www.hobbytownoshkosh.com/)...

More Info Here.

This was a great event last year.  Click here to see my cars, from block to finish.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Oshkosh Volunteer Opportunities

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN OSHKOSH

The Salvation Army
Community Meals Program
Volunteers are needed to assist with the Community Meals Program Monday through Friday.  Lunch is served from 11:00 am until 12:20 pm.  Volunteers start about 1-2 hours prior to the meal and work until about 30 minutes after the meal.  They assist with preparations, serving, and clean up.

Food Pantry Program
Volunteers are needed to help in the food pantry from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm.  General duties include stocking shelves, checking in patrons and bagging groceries.  The food pantry is different from many other pantries in that patrons shop for their groceries, following a list of allowed items per family size.  Other duties could include assembling food bags for low income housing residents signed up for the commodities program and sorting and stocking donations received from food drives, organizations, and individuals.

General Office
Volunteers with computer skills are needed for typing, filing, copying, data entry and other general office duties.  Volunteers are also needed in the office for special projects.

Maintenance and Driver Assistant
Volunteers can assist with pick up and deliveries and general facility maintenance such as mopping and sweeping floors, emptying trash, vacuuming, and cleaning restrooms.  Volunteers may also help with light yard work.  Please contact Deb Schmidt, Volunteer Coordinator, (920) 232-7660.  Deb_Schmidt@usc.salvationarmy.org

Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh
Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh is currently looking for both construction volunteers and volunteers to work in and set up the New Habitat ReStore. Construction opportunities include; construction volunteer, site host, crew leader, and lunch provider. At the ReStore volunteer positions include: Donation pickups, Item delivery, Donation Associate, Cashier, Merchandiser and Office Worker & Receptionist. Both individual and group opportunities are available. If you would like to learn more please about construction opportunities call (920) 235-3535 or for ReStore opportunities call (920) 230-3535, email info@habitatoshkosh.org, or visit our website at www.habitatoshkosh.org

Oshkosh Seniors Center
The Oshkosh Seniors Center offers unique volunteer opportunities for different talents, schedules, and physical abilities.  If you have reception skills, strength and stamina for moving tables and chairs, love to cook, or are an expert in a certain area and would like to share your knowledge, we need you!  Please stop by the Center to pick up a volunteer application. Linda Verwiel, Volunteer Coordinator will contact you to schedule an appointment to discuss specific volunteer opportunities or you can contact her by calling 920-232-5306 or e-mail lverwiel@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

The Winnebago County Literacy Council’s mission is to increase the literacy skills of adults and families so they can make informed decisions allowing them to function effectively in society.  We are looking for volunteers wanting to share the gift of literacy!  Our primary opportunity is tutoring adults, their families, or high school students to improve their reading, writing, speaking, and/or life skills.  Volunteers can also translate for non-English-speakers, recruit students and tutors, serve on our Board of Directors, and/or help with special fundraising events!  If you are interested, please call Raissa at 236-5219 ext. 4802, or check out our website at www.winlit.org.  Help someone to read, succeed, and lead!

Affinity Health System – Mercy Medical Center
Gift Shop - Greet customers, handle sales via money/checks/credit cards, replenish the candy supply, deliver gifts or flowers to patients, and dust or straighten as needed.  Morning, afternoon and evening, and weekend shifts may be available. 
Spiritual Services -  If your calling is in the Spiritual Services area, you may be interested in helping set up and/or lector at the noon Catholic Mass on Thursdays or be a music leader for the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday mornings.
Outpatient Services Escort Area – There are afternoon openings in the Outpatient Services Escort Area to escort patients to CT/nuclear medicine, lab, hydrotherapy, sleep disorder area, cardiopulmonary services, neurodiagnostics, preadmission testing, or the cardiorespiratory areas. These volunteers require the physical ability to push patients in a wheelchair and to walk to other departments as needed within Mercy MedicalCenter.
See more on our website at www.affinityhealth.org/volunteers or contact Volunteer Services at 223-0225.

Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh is looking for volunteers in the following areas:  Bethel Home - light maintenance, landscaping, filling bird feeders, one-on-one visitors, activities/games, Sojourners Ministry, and working in the Bethel Home gift shop.  Carmel Residence - monthly continental breakfast helper (4th Wed of month from 7:45 - 9:45 a.m.), and bingo leader (times are flexible).  Gabriel's Villa - assist residents with basic computer help (checking email, etc.), shopping on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. (transportation provided), and help with bingo on the weekends (times are flexible).  Contact Jill Novotny for more information at (920) 232-5282 or jnovotny@lutheranhomes.com.  Visit us online at www.lutheranhomes.com for a complete list of opportunities!

Affinity Visiting Nurses are looking for Home Care Volunteers to provide companionship, offer support and comfort, and provide a link to the hospice staff. Training is provided for all volunteers. While we need visitors for all of our patients, we are always in need of male volunteers to visit with our male patients. Men encouraged to inquire!  Make a difference in people's lives!

Office Volunteer – Tuck In calls
We are in need of volunteers to help on Thursdays to call all of our current patients before the weekend starts. Volunteers will be calling patients from our Neenah office location to ensure they have all the supplies and medications needed before the weekend. One hour per week or every other week is required. Short training provided. For more information  on either need or to sign up for training, please call Kristyna Williams at 920-727-2000.

The American Red Cross is in need of volunteers to help make a difference in the community.  The opportunities are endless, from being a Senior Friend to teaching Babysitting training course, from casework for our Bridges program to working at a blood drive, and from being trained to respond to Disasters to working in our office as a receptionist and everything in between.  We are in need of a person or two to help with data entry and office support.  If you are available during the day during the week and interested, let me know!  Please call Jamie Larson (920) 231-3590 or stop in at their new location at 5155 S. Washburn St., Suite 201.

ADVOCAP RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program)
Contact: Deb Tauer, ADVOCAP RSVP Volunteer Services Director
 2929 Harrison St.Oshkosh WI 54901
Phone: (920) 426-0150 Email:  debraj@advocap.org
RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) is a service specially designed for Winnebago County Seniors age 55 and older that offers senior and/ or retired persons a vast selection of volunteer opportunities throughout the county.

Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh is looking for volunteers to help Club members with their homework!  Be a child’s friend and play sports in the Gym, or come help in the office by stuffing envelopes, filing or assisting with data entry.  Work in program-specific areas that suit your skills like art, sports, music and drama, and computer technology.  Be a mentor! For more information, contact Lindsey Moon Arnold at (920) 233-1414 or lindseya@bgco.us

Clarity Care, a nonprofit service provider, has opportunities for volunteers to help in the Marketing department at the Oshkosh office. Duties include marketing research, program development, surveying, brand extension, collateral development, mailings, data entry. Volunteer opportunities are during regular business hours, M-F 8am-4:30pm.  For more information please contact Kurt Johnson at (920) 236-6560 or kurt.johnson@claritycare.org.

Oshkosh Area Community Pantry duties include picking up purchases and unloading food, helping with the registration/re-registration process, assisting customers by being a “shopping buddy”, stocking, sorting, and preparing food for the shelves counting and weighing at the Check Out, assisting with cleaning and maintenance, as well as some availability for special group projects.  Our shifts are Monday: 2-5pm, 4-7pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 9:30-12:30, 12:30-3:30pm, Friday we have pick up driver opportunities available, and Saturdays 8:30-11, 11:00-1pm.  We usually have six shifts available in the morning and six in the evening shifts.  To sign up you can fill out an online form at www.oacptoday.org and send it in, or stop in the pantry at 2551 Jackson St.  You can also contact Meghan, at fischermeghan@yahoo.com

Hope and Care Center
The Hope and Care Center is looking for reliable volunteers to help run the center from 4:00 p.m. to 8:p.m. Mon. thru Fri. starting in January 2011. We would also be interested in talking to anyone interested in starting their own program that would be beneficial to our members.  For more information contact Debra Silverthorn at the Hope and Care Center by calling 233-3563 or email dfsilverthorn@live .com.

Cerebral Palsy of Mideast Wisconsin a nonprofit service provider has opportunities for volunteers to help in their Oshkosh office.  Duties include helping with mailings and assorted clerical duties.  Hours are flexible and if you would like we can call when needed and if you’re available to help great.  Our office hours are M-F 7:30am to 4:30 pm. We also are looking for a volunteer to assist with minor repairs and yard work at our Respite House and WILLO Apartments located in Oshkosh, such as fixing drawers, replacing molding, replacing blinds, lawn maintenance, etc.  For more information on any of these opportunities, please call our office at (920) 424-4071 or email cp@cpmideastwis.com.

EAA DOCENT/VOLUNTERS NEEDED
Greet visitors and provide important information about the EAA AirVenture Museum, serve as a tour guide for scheduled group tours, participate in the annual EAA AirVenture Convention, the education programs, distribute appropriate literature on EAA Membership and Education Programs, Drive the Tram (shuttle) to transport visitors to the Pioneer Airport and spend some time outdoors, help in EAA’s Library, assist in the Collections Department, and more! To become part of the team or for more information, contact Bob Campbell, Manager of Museum Operations and Resident Education at bcampbell@eaa.org or 920-426-4815.

Aurora Medical Center Oshkosh
Are you looking to Volunteer in a warm & friendly environment where you set your own schedule according to your availability? Can't make it in to your scheduled shift?  We find your replacement. Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to the Gift Shop, Lobby Information Desks, Transporting, Patient Services Station & Spiritual Services.
Knitters Nook: We have a very active Knitters Nook who knit/crochet at home & provide handmade items for our patients with full size afghans, prayers shawls, bay hats, booties & blankets.
Donations:  No time to Volunteer?  We’ll gladly take donations of yarn for our Knitters Nook, magazines for our Lobby, videos, CD's and bud vases for our patients use.  Please contact John Nieman, at (920) 456-7013 or john.nieman@aurora.org for more information. 

Aurora VNA Hospice
REWARD YOURSELF!!! Are you a compassionate, caring person that can give of two hours a week? If so then we need you!!! The Aurora Visiting Nurse Association Hospice Program is in search of volunteers to provide companionship for their patients. Patients are generally seen in their homes or in local facilities where they may reside.  In addition to companionship, hospice volunteers provide support to family members, run errands, hold a hand or just "be there". Volunteers are also needed in the office for clerical work and bereavement mailings. No medical background needed, training provided!!  Make that Call today!
Jayne Syrjamaki Volunteer Coordinator 920-456-2057 or email Jayne.Syrjamaki@Aurora.org

Lord of the Lakes Thrift & Gift Shop 208 W. Main Street, Winneconne would love your help!
We have fun as we give back to our community.  Hours and days are flexible. Call us at 920-582-3932 during business hours Wednesday 10-2, Thursday 10-7, Friday 10-2, Saturday 10-2 for more information.

Oshkosh Area United Way needs volunteers for task force committees including strategic planning, policy, personnel, by-laws, and personnel policy task forces, ethics, leadership giving, board management, marketing, planned giving, and investment management and fund development.  Contact Sue Panek sue@oshkoshunitedway.org at (920) 235-8560. 

There is also a need for individuals and families to volunteer for the Day of Caring on April 29th from 7:30 – 12:00 noon.  Contact Denise at 235-8560 or development@oshkoshunitedway.org.

Oshkosh Family / Meals on Wheels  invites you to share your lunch hour once a week with some special people. Deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors in the city of Oshkosh. Drivers are especially needed on Mondays or Tuesdays. Other days are also available. A 3-6 month commitment is appreciated. Contact Judy Richey at (920) 651-3316 or jarmow@oshkoshfamily.org.

Oshkosh Police Department – Volunteers assist with a variety of administrative tasks – most computer-based.  Also needed are weekday morning Safety Building lobby host/hostess; evening Front Desk helpers; Neighborhood Watch volunteers; Speed Watch volunteers will be trained to run radar and record license plate information of speeding vehicles but do not issue warnings or stop cars; helpers for special events and programs. Visit www.oshkoshpd.com for a Volunteer Application or contact Dorry Wilner, 236-5714 or dwilner@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

Oshkosh Teen Safe Rides needs adults and high school students to help get middle and high school students home safely on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 PM to 2 AM.  Adults provide supervision while students receive phone calls, dispatch cars, and give confidential rides home.  This program operates under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America and is sponsored by Mercy Medical Center.  For more information, please call Peg Larson at 231-3005.

4-H Youth Development – UW-Extension is looking for adult leaders. You work with youth in either a community club or countywide activity. Volunteers must be able to communicate with youth and adults. You can either volunteer short–term (single event to month) or long-term (throughout the 4-H year). Training is provided. You must be 18 to volunteer. For more information contact Rene Mehlberg at (920) 232-1974 or rmehlberg@co.winnebago.wi.us

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

New Number for Winnebago County Crime Stoppers

From the OshNW:


Beginning January 7, 2011, the new phone number for the Winnebago County Wide Crime Stoppers will be changed. The new number will be (920) 231-TIPS (8477).
Crime Stoppers is a cooperative effort between law enforcement agencies, the business community, the news media, and the public, which provides law enforcement agencies with the information they need to solve crimes.
Crime Stoppers encourages people to provide tips that can be vital in the successful solution of a crime by offering cash rewards for tips which lead to the arrest and/or indictment of felony or misdemeanor suspects, and by guaranteeing that the tipster's identity remains unknown.
You may visit Crime Stoppers website at:www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org to obtain more information about the program.