Hamilton County Falls Task Force Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Aging

The Falls Task Force is the first county-wide collaborative to address fall injuries in older adults. It was created by the Hamilton County General Health District in January 2000 and is chaired by Hamilton County Commissioner John Dowlin. The Task Force works to prevent falls through community collaboration, education, awareness, intervention, and evaluation.

Fall injuries are the leading cause of deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits in Hamilton County. Data from the Hamilton County General Health District’s Injury Surveillance System show the problem is even more dramatic among older adults; 80 percent of deaths and 85 percent of hospitalizations caused by falls occurred in adults age 65 and over.

Hamilton County Health Commissioner, Tim Ingram, says the award demonstrates that the Task Force is making strides toward reducing fall injuries, "The Falls Task Force was formed to take an aggressive, proactive look at ways to prevent older adults from falling, rather than just focusing on treatment of fall injuries. This award shows that innovative approach is making a difference for older adults in Hamilton County."

The outdoor warning siren system in Hamilton County will be tested during this week.  The County outdoor siren system is tested at 12:00 noon on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.  This system is comprised of 187 outdoor sirens owned by jurisdictions within the county and coordinated by the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency.

For actual severe weather warnings in Hamilton County, the outdoor warning siren system alerts the public to two severe weather warnings by using the following:

A five minute STEADY TONE for either a TORNADO WARNING or a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING during a TORNADO WATCH (either as issued by the National Weather Service).  

To ensure that you receive the most timely and current severe weather information, utilize a tone alerting weather radio that will receive severe weather watch and warning broadcasts directly from the National Weather Service (NWS) over their NOAA weather radio broadcast system.  Indoor warning tone alerting weather radios combined with the outdoor warning sirens provide an integrated indoor and outdoor warning system to best protect you.

The Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the National Weather Service, the Weather Amateur Radio Network (WARN) and hosting jurisdictions, has conducted three SKYWARN severe weather spotter training sessions in Hamilton County.  These spotter training sessions teach the general public and public safety personnel about what to look for when severe weather enters our area.  Attendees are given a direct telephone number to call the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Wilmington to report observations and information which assists the NWS in preparing local severe weather warnings.

For more information, please call Judy Weimer at:   The Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency (513) 851-7080.

Greg began his career with the Hamilton County Communication Center on February 10, 1972 as a Communications Officer.  Greg was promoted to Communication Supervisor 1  in 1988, than promoted to Technical Services Manager in 1990.  On August 6, 1998 Greg was promoted to Operations Manager.   He was the Communications Officer of the Year in 1981 and is a Past President of the Ohio Chapter of APCO, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officers. Greg is currently overseeing the installation of the County’s 800 MHz Radio Project.   Although Greg was eligible to retire 4 years ago (he has 34 years of service credit) he has demonstrated uncompromising dedication and has not missed a day of work in the last 15 years.   On March 6, the Board of Hamilton County Commissioners for his 30 years of service to Hamilton County recognized Greg.  Thanks Greg for your dedication to excellence in public safety communications for the citizens of Hamilton County.

All sites will be open March 23, 2002 B November 17, 2002, on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The sites will resume operations on January 4, 2003 through January 11, 2003 on Saturdays only, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All sites will be closed on March 31, 2002 for Easter.

The Evans Landscaping site (East location) is open for free yardwaste drop-off during regular business hours in addition to the above hours of operation.

Containers and plastic bags will not be returned.

For more information, please call the Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District at (513) 946-7734 or visit www.hcdoes.org .

You and your family can enjoy the friendly competition, win prizes and play games, all while doing your share for cleaner air! All proceeds from the Clean Air A-Thon event will benefit the Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky American Lung Associations.

Each year since 1994, the Regional Ozone Coalition coordinates a Clean Air Kick-Off Event to recognize the beginning of smog season in the Greater Cincinnati area. Smog levels are monitored April 1^st through October 31^st each year. During these months, smog levels are at their highest due to weather conditions combined with area pollution. This is why we all need to do what we can to help breathe cleaner, healthier air, especially during the hot summer months.

Families, participating in the race or not, can enjoy our Family Fun Fest, which will include a short fun run for kids with ribbons for all finishers. There will be family activities including games, prizes and information booths.

Please join us for the 2^nd Annual Clean Air A-Thon on Saturday, June 8, 2002 at Sawyer Point. The race begins at 9 a.m. All entries must be postmarked by Saturday, June 1, 2001. On-line registration is available at www.sprunning.com. Otherwise, you can register on race day at Sawyer Point, 7:30 a.m. until race time. Pre-registration is just $10 and includes your Clean Air A-Thon race t-shirt. Race Day registration is $15.

So, whether you are a runner, walker or just want to enjoy a beautiful, fun summer day, come to Sawyer Point and help make a difference in our city.

The 100 bricks distributed through Hamilton County’s brick drawing will be paved into the GABP concourse along side bricks currently being sold by the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds, who are directing the overall brick campaign, provided the allotment of 100 bricks to the county to be distributed as it saw fit. Those interested in purchasing a brick from the Reds are encouraged to visit the Reds’ Web site at www.cincinnatireds.com or call (866) 850-2100.

The construction of Great American Ball Park is on schedule. This future home of the Cincinnati Reds is scheduled to open on Opening Day, 2003.

Nomination forms have been distributed to elected officials, department directors, and payroll officers.  (In fact, nomination forms were attached to the e-mail notifying you of the past two editions of Hello, Hamilton County.)  Nominations with approval by the employee’s supervisor may be submitted via mail, e-mail or fax and are due by March 30, 2001. Hamilton County Employee of the Year recipients will be recognized at a Board of County Commissioners meeting and receive a plaque at a community ceremony on Fountain Square, Wednesday, May 9, as a part of Public Service Recognition Week.

Should you have any questions regarding the Employee of the Year program or if you want to receive a nomination form directly, please contact Senior Assistant County Administrator Eric Stuckey at 946-4432 or via e-mail (Eric.Stuckey@Hamilton-co.org). Please take a few minutes to recognize the achievements and excellence in public service exemplified by one of your co-workers by nominating them for the Hamilton County Employee of the Year program.