Ferry County Health & Safety Fair

By Brenda Lackey, AmeriCorps member working at Ferry County Public Hospital

On May 21, 2011, the Ferry County Health & Safety Fair was held at the Republic School after a few years’ hiatus. I decided to revive and coordinate one in order to increase the visibility of the county's health and safety resources often underutilized despite the need that exists in our community. A team of willing and influential individuals from FCPHD#1, Tri-County Economic District (TEDD) and the Ferry County Health Foundation was gathered to form a planning committee and attend bi-weekly meetings. The event would not have occurred without their combined efforts. With our county being ranked as the "least healthy" of all WA counties*, this fair, at the very least, assisted in increasing the availability of our excellent health programs to the community while encouraging health conciousness (and it was fun to boot!).

The fair provided free access to services, information and demonstrations offered by 23 different health and safety organizations such as the S.A.I.L. program, Veteran's Affairs, Republic and Curlew EMS, Ferry County Trauma Council (child seat safety checks), INBC Blood Drive, United States Forest Service (healthy recreation), Republic Dental Clinic, free hearing screenings, and a "Know Your Numbers" biometric table from FCPHD#1. Fun activities included an art contest among Ferry County students, a lively gurney race, and raffle drawings for prizes such as a free dental cleaning and a healthy recipe basket by the local Co-Op.

Additional benefits of this event included providing safety programs an opportunity to practice important procedures in a public setting (Decontamination Unit Demonstration FCPHD#1, chainsaw safety demos from the Forest Service and Republic/Curlew EMS with Emergency Car Extrications) as well as a venue for free advertisement of services.

Personally, organizing this event and working with such a great team has been a very rewarding and educational experience. I have done what I can to see that it continues successfully. The Ferry County Health Foundation has expressed a sincere interest in taking on the project as an annual event.

I would like to add a special thank you to all organizations and volunteers that donated their time (on a Saturday!) to participate—you are what made this event possible and successful. Over 30 people donated blood with INBC and approximately 50-75 people from the community came to the event or were involved.

Comments

[Health and Safety Software]

This sounds like such a great event, that really helps people to understand the importance of health and safety. I'm really impressed with the work you do and it's great to see people like yourself Brenda, who will go out of their way to bring back something which will benefit everyone.

[גלקום]

I determined to restore and match one in order to improve the awareness of the county's protection sources often underutilized despite the need that prevails in our area.