WakeMed is strongly encouraging safety as clean-up efforts progress.  Chainsaw injuries are typically the most frequent and serious injuries seen after storms that cause a significant number of fallen trees.

“Neither gas nor electric chainsaws are safe. Chainsaws are inherently dangerous tools, and people who do not have experience simply should not operate a chainsaw,” warns Osi Udekwu, MD, director, WakeMed Physician Practices – Trauma & Surgery. “Additionally, even people who are experienced with a chainsaws need to use common sense and extreme caution when operating this very dangerous equipment. Chainsaw lacerations are very difficult to treat because they do not cause clean cuts.”

Follow these steps from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to protect yourself and others. Remember, safety features cannot substitute for knowledge.

• Get the dealer to demonstrate how to use the saw. Read the manual, learn all you can before using the saw – it’s a potential killer.
• Wear snug-fitting protective equipment. That includes goggles, face and head mask, gloves, boots, ear protection, and heavy-duty clothing. Wear the equipment properly.
• Carefully check the area for loose bark, broken limbs, or other damage before trees are felled or removed.
• Cut safely; keep both hands on the handles. Keep the handles dry, clean and free of oil or fuel. Keep your eye on the blade and what you are cutting. Cut with the lower edge of the saw blade whenever possible. Cutting with the tip of the saw is inviting injury. Let the chainsaw do the work. Don’t try to force the saw.
• Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height. It is very difficult to control the saw in awkward positions.
• Do not operate a chainsaw in a tree or from a ladder unless you have been specifically trained and are equipped to do so.
• When cutting a spring pole or other tree under stress, permit no one but the feller to be closer than two tree lengths when the stress is released
• Do not operate a chainsaw when tired, if you have been drinking alcohol, or if you have been taking prescription medication or non-prescription drugs.
• Do not smoke while refueling your saw. Move the chainsaw at least 10 feet away from the fueling point before starting the engine. Use gasoline powered chainsaws only in well ventilated areas
• Sharpen the saw regularly.
• Look for anti-kick nose guards, quick-stop brakes, and wraparound hand guards on any saw you use. Kickback accounts for almost a third of chain saw accidents.
• Don’t wear yourself out. Stay alert. Take frequent breaks.

U.S. Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) is also an excellent resource for chainsaw safety information. 

WakeMed employees volunteering in Waveland, Mississippi, in the wake of Katrina

WakeMed employees, physicians, supporters and readers of this blog have demonstrated an immense spirit of generosity in their continual requests to expand WakeMed’s role in the response to the catastrophic earthquake that recently impacted Haiti.  We remain in close contact with the American Red Cross and the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), and continue to hear that the best way we can contribute at this time is through monetary contributions to reliable organizations. Lists of suggested organizations can be found in these articles News & Observer Article, CNN Article as well as a multi-page insert in today’s News & Observer. 

WakeMed has many supplies and equipment and a highly-trained team ready for disaster response.  The federal government is well aware of WakeMed’s assets, disaster training and willingness to help with recovery efforts.  In fact, much of the disaster readiness and response equipment and training that has been afforded to WakeMed are a direct result of federal funding acquired through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Assistant Secretary’s Preparedness & Response (ASPR) office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

We anticipate that the recovery and reconstruction in the wake of this devastating earthquake will be an extensive process, and expect there to be many opportunities in the months and years to come to join volunteer and mission groups deploying teams to Haiti.  WakeMed stands at the ready to help and will call on our employees, physicians and community to participate in the response. 

If you are interested in supporting these efforts, we encourage you to join the CapRAC State Medical Assistance Team (SMAT 800) by logging on to www.servnc.org.  This team’s mission is to assist local, regional and state efforts by providing medical care and resources to those in need through an effective, controlled, systematic process, reducing death and disability resulting from sudden or serious injury and illness caused by natural or man-made disasters.

• When registering, please provide as much information as possible and try to complete all nine sections. 
• WakeMed employees should affiliate themselves with the Capital RAC State Medical Assistance Team, which is housed at WakeMed. 
• Once accepted to the team, all members will be required to attend a two-day SMAT Initial Training course.
• You will also be required to attend an appropriate amount of trainings/events throughout the year to maintain knowledge and level of readiness (quarterly training, as well as the opportunity to participate in special events is offered throughout the year and does count toward SMAT Continuing Education).

Medical professionals not associated with a hospital or EMS system are also encouraged to volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps.

While we may feel like we are not doing anything to assist, it is important to understand that an uncontrolled deployment or sending supplies that cannot be distributed is not an effective way to help.  Our hearts and minds are with all who are suffering in Haiti during this devastating time, and we are committed to helping our neighbors across the globe in their times of need.  Right now, the best way we can do this to provide monetary support.