Meet E.M.M.A. for School Safety

You know Think Safe, Inc. for our world-class safety and emergency equipment and our award winning customer support.

But did you know we also work in the emergency communications field?

Our patented E.M.M.A. technology connects your entire organization with 911 dispatchers. Communication and knowledge is instantaneous and accurate during any emergency situation.

From push notification alerts to Geofencing to S.S.S.S. alerts, we are eager to share more with you.

E.M.M.A. is new technology that empowers staff and safety personnel before 911 arrives.  Improved communication comes through push notifications – much quicker and more reliable than text or email notifications.

 Below are just a few features:

• FAST: Notification system using push notification
• COMMUNICATION: Real time 2-way communication with school safety leaders during critical emergency events
• 911-INTEGRATION: Connect teachers and administrators to 911 dispatchers and first responders
• REAL TIME INFO: View on campus map where an emergency is unfolding and who is affected
• ANTI-BULLYING: Anonymous tip app

Schedule a free demo today – https://www.emmaadmin.com/education.php – or email us via emma@think-safe.com

Think Safe’s Unique Solutions Integrator Approach to Workplace Emergency Preparedness

Think Safe recently developed an integrated solution for one of the nation’s leading providers of accounting, tax and consulting services. This new client has more than 6,000 employees and associates in about 75 cities nationwide. The client’s goal was to have a best practice first aid program to include Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and appropriate first aid supplies that ensured a high-level of readiness at all times yet was user-friendly and affordable. The company’s office suites are low risk of injury workplaces but a specific goal was to address the need to respond to the nation’s biggest killer – Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) – which claims the lives of over 300,000 people annually.  Key decision makers at the company were well aware of some key information that OSHA had released on the topic. ” Employers should consider use of AEDs at their work sites to reduce the time to defibrillation with the goal of improving survival.”

These offices are now fully equipped to deal with any medical illness or injury-related emergency situations with their investment of proper first aid equipment, AEDs, and site specific employee training. This program and client showcase how multi-facility organizations can implement affordable employee benefit programs and safety practices that offer improved emergency preparedness across a common culture without human resources drain or capital drain.   The average cost per employee for the entire program was less than $2 per employee per year over a 5 year period (the costs drop to pennies per employee after that).

Will they ever get a return on this minimal investment?  Well, is saving even one life enough of a return?  One employee shared a story of an event that occurred at their office,  “An employee was walking by a tax partner’s office when she saw him slumped over his desk. It looked like he was sleeping so the co-worker went into his office and found him unresponsive.  The co-worker immediately initiated the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and an AED was retrieved by a tax secretary.  The secretary used the AED and revived the tax partner (shock was advised by the AED) while someone else called 911.  The tax partner was very fit and in good shape so it was a surprise to everyone when they found out he had a cardiac arrest.  The tax partner survived thanks to the AED machine and the quick action by the employees. The paramedics and doctors said the partner would likely have not have survived, if the defibrillator had not been used at the office and they had waited for EMS to arrive.”

In choosing Think Safe the above medical-related first aid emergency could be addressed.  However, Think Safe was picked as the provider of choice because they offered a unique, innovative, simple & user-friendly, and affordable AED and first aid program solution for other emergencies that might occur at the workplace.  Think Safe is the manufacturer and patent owner of the First Voice Emergency Instruction Device (EID) and this “first aid tablet” can guide employees through any major or minor first aid emergency and giving reminders or when to: call 911, check scene safety, use personal protection, provide treatment and how to or what not to do,  and what to do after the incident or during for record keeping.

Each client location implemented the following First Voice equipment and services (see picture):

Easy to access medical-related emergency equipment including AED, first aid kit, Emergency Instruction Device (EID) and signage.

 

AED in carrying case with adult 4 yr pads, 4 yr battery and full 10 year warranty

Alarmed AED wall-mounted cabinet (helps aid in notification of AED use; response needed when alarm sounds)

“V-shaped” Wall sign  (8×10” faces) for above AED cabinet to help improve visibility of AED location from any angle

Tamper Evident AED Fast Response Scissors/Razor Kit with use instructions

Laminated AED Use Protocols (attached to AED case for easy reference during AED use)

Think Safe’s Patented First Voice Emergency Instruction Device (EID) (automated first aid tablet, http://www.think-safe.com/FirstVoice/EmergencyInstructionDevice/tabid/285/Default.aspx)

50 Person OSHA/ANSI Compliant First Aid Kit with Pocket Refill System  (comes with tamper-evident seals)

 

To ensure legal protection and ongoing program compliance Think Safe also provided the following services:

Online & Blended Certified Training for CPR/First Aid/BBP (ILCOR/ECC/AHA/Red Cross/National First Aid Science compliant) that comes with Course Completion Tracking & Includes Refresher Training & Tracking

Training DVD or online training link for “Brand of preference” AED picked (HR Dept keeps this DVD and uses corporate key code for free AED training to provide any new employees or for use at employee meetings as a refresher training tool)

Think Safe documents provided for workplace postings help communicate key information. (Included with Site Administrator Toolkit)

Site Administrator Tool Kit to include all AED Program Communication Tools (AED Site Assessment assistance (where to put AED), Company-wide AED information distribution & Email notice templates, CPR/AED posters, AED policy template, Emergency Response Plan (ERP) documents & integration, EMS Notification/Registration, “AED Equipped” location stickers to remind employees of AED location inside office, inspection tag system, AED location thumbnail decals for evacuation/exit charts at facilities, Free AED prescription, and more…)

Online First Voice Manager AED Program Management Software for Auto Notification Reminders, Tracking & Reporting on AED consumables (pads, battery) and any first aid or other safety program supplies or training www.firstvoicemanager.com (works on any mobile device or PC with internet access)

Mobile compatible AED Inspection Tool with Continual 24/7 AED Maintenance Log Redundancy & Backup (proves AED was maintained if there is an incident involving use and someone does not survive; legal protection)

State/Local AED Owner Civil Liability Immunity Law Compliance & AED Program Medical Director Oversight, as needed

Equipment Recall Advice, Guidance and Warranty Servicing

Free AED Post-Event Review Technical Support & Incident Assistance

Free replacement pads/battery after any AED use event

Phone Technical Support or Online Technical Support

Contact us and mention this blog post and we’ll make sure you get a free site assessment and Site Administrator Toolkit information. 

Let Think Safe provide you more information on this unique, effective solutions integrator approach to workplace emergency preparedness, AED programs, or first aid programs.  Please  fill out the form below,email us or call us at 319-377-5125. 

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Another Great SCA Survivor Story

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor Donates Defibrillator to Grandson’s School after Defying the Odds at Casino

February 29, 2016  AED, Defibrillator, donation, Forward Hearts, Sudden Cardiac Arrest

A Louisiana man who survived a sudden cardiac arrest at Boomtown Casino donates an automated external defibrillator (AED) to St. Rosalie School with HeartSine’s Forward Hearts program

James Stein defied all odds last October when he survived a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) at a local casino that almost cost him his life.

Fortunately, luck was on his side, as the casino was equipped with an AED and staff members performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a timely manner. Time is critical during sudden cardiac arrest because for every minute defibrillation is delayed, the victim’s chance of survival decreases by seven to 10 percent.

To celebrate his luck and promote the importance of quick access to AEDs, Stein will donate a HeartSine® samaritan® PAD 350P (SAM 350P) AED to St. Rosalie School in Harvey, Louisiana. The device will be provided by HeartSine Technologies Forward Hearts program, which allows survivors of an SCA event in which a HeartSine defibrillator has been used, to donate a HeartSine AED to the charity or organization of the survivor’s choice, at no cost.

The Stein family donates a HeartSine AED to St. Rosalie School in celebration of Stein’s survival. Pictured: Scott Stein, James Stein (survivor), He’nri Stein, Mary Wenzel, Fr. Larry Urban, and Taylor Stein

The potentially lifesaving SAM 350P AED, which analyzes the heart rhythm and delivers an electrical shock to victims of SCA in order to restore the heart to normal rhythm, will protect thousands of faculty members and students at St. Rosalie School. Stein chose to donate the AED to St. Rosalie School because his grandson is a student there.

“I feel so blessed and fortunate to be alive today, and I am glad to have the opportunity to protect my grandson and his classmates at his school,” said Stein. “Surviving a sudden cardiac arrest should not be a matter of luck. All public places should be equipped with AEDs.”

Much to the joy of his family – which includes his wife of 43 years, six children and grandchildren – Stein suffered no neurological damage and has resumed taking walks, cooking, and doing many of the other activities he enjoys.

“Mr. Stein’s survival from sudden cardiac arrest is a great example of the importance of AEDs in all public places,” said Michael Lockwood, sales manager at HeartSine. “As sudden cardiac arrests truly can take place anywhere, it is imperative to place AEDs in all public spaces from casinos to schools.”

The HeartSine AED at Boomtown Casino that saved Stein’s life was supplied by HeartSine’s authorized distributor Think Safe, Inc., a first-aid industry wholesaler based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“It is important to communicate that AEDs help protect against one of the nation’s leading causes of death,” said Paula Wickham, Think Safe’s president. “Only through more AED placements and quick response by volunteers and staff, like this exemplary event at Boomtown Casino, will we stop the impact of the average 350,000 deaths that occur annually as a result of SCA. AEDs are easy to use and should be placed in all public places.”

The HeartSine AED was given to St. Rosalie School on February 29, 2016.

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Interested in finding out how Think Safe’s products and services can benefit your organization? Simply contact Think Safe at 888-473-1777 or click on the More Information button, and we’ll be happy to contact you. Or, if you like what we do here, and you know someone who could benefit from our services, refer  us to a friend. We’d appreciate it!

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What Do Darth Vader and CPR Have in Common?

About a 104 beats per minute.

That’s right, Star Wars fans. If you can hum Vader’s theme song, The Imperial March (and we know you can), then you can also deliver the recommended rate of compressions for hands-only CPR. Why? Because the infamous Sith Lord marches to the rhythm of 104 beats per minute, which is within the 100- to 120-compressions-per-minute range recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA).

But don’t take our word for it: the proof is in this public service announcement from the Kiowa County EMS team.

Here’s why this is important: CPR is not only easy to learn, it’s also invaluable. According to the AHA, effective bystander CPR administered immediately after collapse from sudden cardiac arrest can double a victim’s chance of survival.

So—whether you get your training from the Dark Side, the Light Side, or from a local organization unaffiliated with the greater galactic politics of a galaxy far, far away—think about registering for a CPR class. One day, you might just save a life.

 

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To register for one of Think Safe’s in-person training courses or to find out more about what we can do to help you and your organization be more prepared in the event of an emergency, click Contact Us below. Or, if you like what we do here, and you know someone who could benefit from our services, refer us. We’d appreciate it!

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CPR Saves Lives! 2,500 People Just Told Us So…

Source: CPR Saves Lives! 2,500 People Just Told Us So…

Check out this great piece from Social Discussion covering the CPR Saves Lives March, an event that was part of the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Update (ECCU) 2015 Conference, which is held by Citizen CPR Foundation. In this march, 2500 people came together to march through the streets of San Diego in order to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, CPR, and AEDs. 

2500! We think that’s amazing! As a first aid technology distributor and a facilitator of first aid and CPR training certification, we know how critical emergency preparedness is. CPR and AEDs save lives—just see some of these lifesaving stories:

Newtown, PA
Northeast Iowa
Fitness Club
Wisconsin
Think Safe Employee
Chippewa Falls, WI

Think Safe is proud to be part of the emergency preparedness industry—proud to educate people how to respond when sudden cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies occur; proud to supply businesses with AEDs, AED management programs, and other first aid supplies; and proud to advocate for safer workplaces, better access to AEDs, and up-to-date information and training.

So, we were stoked to learn of the success of the CPR Saves Lives March! And we think everyone involved, including the thousands of people who turned out to march, deserves a shout-out for bringing emergency preparedness into the public eye in such a big way. Well done, everyone, and thank you!

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Interested in finding out how Think Safe’s products can benefit your workplace? Simply contact Think Safe at 888-473-1777 or click on the More Information button, and we’ll be happy to contact you. Or, if you like what we do, refer us to a friend!

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Reducing Costs: First Aid & AED Servicing Program

A new case study, prepared by Think Safe, provides the key resource material on proper yet lower maintenance servicing procedures, tools (including ordering and inspection logs and alerts), and reporting requirements. Additionally, the case study includes best-practice recommendations for medical and first aid programs in workplaces with a higher risk of injury.

The key focus of this case study is OSHA mandates (ANSI regulations) and how in-house safety programs can build refresher training into lower maintenance first aid or emergency medical preparedness programs.

To request a copy of this case study so you can learn how your workplace can benefit from this cost-saving information, simply call us at 319-377-5125 or click more information below and fill out the form.

More Information

 

Mercy Donates 13 AEDs to Local Schools and Organizations

Mercy Medical Center Donates 13 AEDs to Local Schools and Organizations

Cedar Rapids, IA – November 19, 2015 – Eleven schools including Washington High School, Wilson Middle School, Franklin Middle School, Coolidge Elementary, Truman Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Van Buren Elementary, Summit Schools, all in Cedar Rapids; Hiawatha Elementary and Nixon Elementary, in Hiawatha; and Francis Marion Intermediate School, as well as St. Wenceslaus Church  and Waypoint, both in Cedar Rapids, will be outfitted with automated external defibrillators (AED) thanks to Mercy Medical Center, which donated the devices. The donation was made possible by both the Mercy Medical Center AED Donation Program, a program seeking to provide local nonprofits that demonstrate financial need with AEDs, and Think Safe, Inc., a local integrator and wholesaler in the first aid industry.

“I am excited to hear that Mercy is assisting in placing AEDs in the local schools,” said Hiawatha Fire Chief Michael Nesslage. “Early defibrillation can double the chance of survival in cardiac arrest, and every minute without CPR or defibrillation can reduce the chance of survival by as much as 10%.  Having AEDs where school staff can access and use them is sure to make a difference.”

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading killer in the United States. Annually, 300,000 people lose their lives to a sudden cardiac event. Of those 300,000, approximately 5,000 to 7,000 are students under the age of 21, most of which were unaware of a heart-related medical condition. The key to fighting SCA is early defibrillation within the initial minutes after 911 EMS has been called. Those critical early minutes make all the difference between life and death during SCA events.

“Everyone will feel safer knowing that there is an AED nearby that can help not only students and staff with known heart conditions in an emergency, but also our students and staff who may be completely unaware of a condition. SCA isn’t predictable, so we have to be prepared,” said Nancy Alderdyce, head nurse for Marion Independent School District and long-time advocate for SCA preparedness in schools.

The donated devices are HeartSine samaritan® PAD 350P AEDs, by HeartSine Technologies, a world leader in personal and public access defibrillators, and are sourced by Think Safe, headquartered in the Cedar Rapids metro area. Think Safe has been providing life-saving equipment and training for over 10 years, all over the world, and is an innovator in the first aid industry, holding various proprietary patents as a manufacturer of First Voice first aid hardware and software products. Think Safe is dedicated to the fight against SCA and gladly offers AED grants or contributing donations to help offset the costs of life-saving devices.

“Mercy is pleased to be partnering with Think Safe to make the AEDs available for donation in our community,” said Melissa Cullum, community benefit manager at Mercy Medical Center.  “Mercy is committed to equipping qualifying local non-profits with these life-saving devices.  We know AED’s are a critical component in increasing survival rates among sudden cardiac arrest victims.”

The AEDs will be installed throughout the month of November on the following dates.

Friday, November 20, 2015:
St. Wenceslaus Parish Center, 8:30 a.m.
Francis Marion Intermediate School, 9:30 a.m.
Summit Schools, 10:30 a.m.
Franklin Middle School, 11:15 a.m.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015:
Van Buren Elementary School, 9:15 a.m.
Truman Elementary School, 9:45a.m.
Jackson Elementary School, 10:15a.m.
Waypoint Services for Women, Children, and Families, 11:00a.m.
Nixon Elementary School, 1:30 p.m.

Monday, November 30, 2015:
Hiawatha Elementary School, 10:00a.m.
Washington High School, 12:45 p.m.
Wilson Middle School, 1:30p.m.
Coolidge Elementary School, 2:30 p.m.

AED Laws: Do You Know the Risks?

Automated external defibrillators (AED) are the number one treatment for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), one of the nation’s leading killers. They are portable, user-friendly devices that even lay rescuers can use in an emergency to help save a life. As a result, many workplaces are required by law to have them on-site and many other workplaces have them on-site simply because they recognize their value as life-saving technology. AEDs are smart, responsible devices to have in your first aid and medical emergency tool belt, but owning one does come with liability.

So, you want to provide a safe working environment and be as prepared as possible in the event of SCA, but how can you be sure you’ve fully mitigated all AED program legal risk for your facilities or organization? Here’s the answer: know your state AED owner laws. AED owner laws exist in every state but vary widely. These laws require administrative and/or operational procedures for AED programs, help provide Good Samaritan and civil liability immunity protection, or even mandate AED ownership and deployments.

State AED owner laws do impact AED program operations and create or mitigate liability risk. It is important that you have an accurate and complete understanding of your state’s AED laws so you can ensure regulatory compliance, avoid costly administrative sanctions, and preserve any available Good Samaritan or civil liability immunity protections as an AED owner or for AED users within your organization.

That said, navigating state laws can be tricky and time consuming. That’s why some companies try to sell you a subscription to accessing information on state laws, with discounted multi-seat subscriptions for larger organizations. But, why pay when you can get your AED state law information for free through the First Voice State AED Laws portal? 

That’s right, we offer a no-cost subscription that makes learning about and mitigating the risks of AED ownership a snap! All you have to do is visit our AED State Laws page and fill out the form. We’ll get back to you within one (1) business day, and you’ll be well on your way to safe, informed AED ownership. 

We hope to you hear from you soon, and we thank you for helping us every day to make minutes matter!

Allamakee Community School District Receives Donation of AED and First Aid Kits for Buses

Waukon, IA The district bus barn and school bus drivers now have some updated and new equipment for their emergency preparedness use as of Monday, August 17, 2015. The equipment includes the addition of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device for storage/use at the bus barn and new bus first aid kits equipped to National and State School Bus Transportation standards. This addition of equipment was made possible from a donation made by The Richard Lyle “Butch” Winke Memorial fund and his surviving spouse Mary Kay Winke from rural Waukon and nieces Michelle (Kerndt) Scroggs and Paula (Kerndt) Wickham. Both nieces attended Allamakee Community School District but now live in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. Richard Lyle “Butch” Winke passed away December 27, 2014.

Mary Kay Winke attended the event with her nieces and other family members. The AED and first aid kit and supplies funding was provided by the family and memorial fund as a way to celebrate and remember Butch’s dedication and commitment to children during his near 30 years of service as an Allamakee Community School District Bus Driver. Butch’s nieces are employed in the emergency preparedness and AED program industry, so the memorial and donation is dear to everyone’s heart. Stated Randy Nordheim (Transportation Director), “Butch was a quiet individual but was a dedicated employee during his tenure with the school district. The donation is a wonderful legacy to honor the beloved and missed #23 school bus driver.”

AED devices are a critical component in increasing survival rates among sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victims. SCA is the leading killer in the United States and does not discriminate based on age. SCA annually claims over 300,000 lives alone in the United States; more people every year are killed by SCA than by cancer and strokes combined. The key to fighting SCA is defibrillation (use of an AED) within a very short period of time from the onset of SCA. The statistics show that for every minute that passes there is a 10% decreased chance of survival. AEDs allow for defibrillation during the initial minutes after 9-1-1 EMS has been called; those critical early minutes make all the difference between life and death during SCA events.

Having an AED at the bus barn helps to improve response times for the employees in the Transportation Department, which is outside of the main campus school areas where AEDs are currently deployed. The first aid kits were assembled in the USA, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The kits were custom labeled, showing the #23 bus on the front cover of the kits, and the #23 bus was parked at the bus barn during the event.

 

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Interested in finding out how Think Safe’s products and training options can benefit your workplace? Simply contact Think Safe at 888-473-1777 or click on the More Information button, and we’ll be happy to contact you. Or, if you like what we do, refer us to a friend!

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Local YMCA Receives Lifesaving Donation of Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Cedar Rapids, IA – June 23, 2015 – Think Safe andHeartSine presented the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area with a donated AED on Tuesday, June 23 at 2:00 p.m. at the Helen G.Nassif YMCA.Five months after staff at the Helen G. Nassif YMCA saved the life of a local school teacher using an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), the YMCA was awarded a second AED from HeartSine, the device manufacturer. Valued at $1595, the AED will be located in the Welcome Desk at the request of the man whose life was saved after experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest while using the YMCA’s indoor track.On January 20, 2015, staff members performed lifesaving measures to the member after he went down on the track. They grabbed the AED and another staff member who was working out at the time, cleared the area and later brought the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to the site of the emergency. Two YMCA members who are health care professionals witnessed the event and joined in the lifesaving effort until an ambulance arrived. The patient survived and as a result, HeartSine, the AED manufacturer, awarded an AED to an organization chosen by the survivor. He chose to have it donated to the Helen G. Nassif  YMCA so the facility has an AED on each level. Think Safe is the local distributor who sold the AED to Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA. The donation is made possible by HeartSine, the AED manufacturer, through their Forward Hearts AED donation program. On behalf of survivors who’ve benefited from their AED products, HeartSine awards an AED to the organization of the survivor’s choice. Think Safe President, Paula Wickham said, “This is the way things should work. The Pay It Forward Program allows recognition of a life-saving event and enables others to share their story and life-saving victory over the disease that is the nation’s leading killer. Another life may be saved in the future, in the pool area, due to Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA doing the right thing for their members. Our congratulations go out to HeartSine and Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA for another valuable life saved!” Interested in finding out how Think Safe’s products and training options can benefit your workplace? Simply contact Think Safe at 888-473-1777 or click on the More Information button, and we’ll be happy to contact you. Or, if you like what we do, refer us to a friend! More InformationRefer a friend