Uptown Works collaborates with local partners to secure life-saving equipment, training
SOMERSET ― Members of the Somerset business community received training to help them provide life-saving measures in an emergency.
Community members participated in an emergency response training program by the Somerset Area Ambulance Association (SAAA) at Uptown Works Dec. 5.
“Public-private partnerships are vital in addressing public health concerns,” said Erin Howsare, director of the Single County Authority. “As the community evolves, we want to provide a safe and resilient environment for everyone who lives, works, and visits in uptown Somerset.”
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The training was the final step of a months-long collaboration by Uptown Works with the Somerset SCA for Drug & Alcohol, Somerset Inc. and SAAA to receive funding for a portable Automated External Defibrillator. The AED is a crucial tool for providing emergency life-saving measures. The equipment is publicly accessible during business hours for emergency use as part of an initiative to make AEDs more available.
Somerset Area Ambulance Association supports the purchase of an AED with training and annual maintenance of the equipment. Training participants learned the basics of CPR, using an AED, administering Narcan, Stop-the-Bleed, and other life-saving tips.
"There is an increase in businesses and the general population having encounters with people suffering from substance use in crisis situations," Howsare said. "We feel it is important to provide education so they can be prepared for these types of situations in order to keep themselves and the public safe while getting the person suffering the crisis the help they need as well."
Uptown Works was awarded Somerset County Opioid Settlement funds to support this commitment to public safety and used those funds to purchase the AED from the Somerset County Ambulance Association. The funds are managed by the Somerset SCA for Drug & Alcohol. The SCA provided Narcan free of charge.
“We recognize the important role Uptown Works plays as the central hub in uptown Somerset,” said Emily Korns, owner of Uptown Works. “When we opened, our goal was to have more people walking and working uptown, and we are thrilled to see that happening as Somerset Inc. and uptown businesses work together to build and strengthen the community. That increased foot traffic comes with responsibility. We never want to use this equipment or the life-saving techniques we learned, but we need to be equipped to respond effectively to emergencies.”
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"We are planning a community education/awareness forum that will take place at Uptown Works for February. It is in the planning stages, but the idea is to present on the signs/symptoms of substance use/intoxication, signs/symptoms of an overdose and how to administer Narcan, and how to deal with extreme intoxication/mental health breaks due to substance use," Howsare said. "The forum will be open to the general population, but we will specifically target businesses in Somerset to attend. There has been an increase in instances where people suffering from substance use enter local businesses and the workers/staff are unprepared on how to deal with the situation in order to keep themselves and patrons safe as well as get help for the person."
For those interested in applying for Somerset County Opioid Settlement Funds, go to www.somersetsca.com for guidelines and to apply. For those interested in Narcan, contact the Somerset SCA at 814-445-1530. To learn more about Uptown Works and upcoming events visit www.uptownworks.co.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Uptown Works, local partners train members on life-saving training
