Griffin, SafeKids Offer Child Passenger Safety Training

DERBY- Griffin Health and SafeKids Greater Naugatuck Valley are offering free training on how to make sure children are safe when travelling in cars.

Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition Coordinator Cathi Kellett, MA CPST-I, SN-I, will host “Child Passenger Safety 101” on Wed., Nov. 6 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St. There will be a session from 6-7 p.m. on general child passenger safety and a session focused on passengers with special needs from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Both sessions will provide information about the importance of child safety seats and crash dynamics, infant seats and rear-facing convertibles, forward-facing seats, including combination seats, booster seats and seat belts, and aftermarket products and objects in the car.

To register, email Cathi at ckellett@griffinhealth.org by Nov. 1.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Health & Safety Fair

Griffin Hospital to Host Meet-and-Greet with Pet Emergency Medical Service

DERBY - People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.), Griffin Hospital’s Pet Therapy Program, will host a meet-and-greet with the Connecticut Emergency Animal Response Service (EARS) on Sat., June 17 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the hospital parking lot at 130 Division St., Derby.

 

EARS is a team of volunteer first responders trained for rapid-response to "all-hazard" animal emergencies within Connecticut. The organization focuses on disaster response, emergency transport, technical rescue and training pet owners how to respond to an emergency.

 

The meet-and-greet will feature the EARS Rescue 2 Animal Ambulance, and information on pet safety and the organization’s training programs.

 

For more information about EARS, visit earsct.org.

 

The event is open to the public. For more information, call PAWS Coordinator Ruth Tuccio at 203-732-1298.
 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

 

Shelton resident trains at FBI National Academy

Sgt. Richard Montefusco of Shelton

DANBURY - Campus safety is something the Western Connecticut State University  Police Department takes seriously, and one way to keep crime at bay is to make sure the university’s officers are trained in the most current crime-prevention techniques. 

That’s why a rare opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy was something Shelton resident Sgt. Richard (“Monte”) Montefusco couldn’t pass up.

As one of WCSU’s police sergeants, Montefusco is in charge of community service and crime prevention.

“My goal is for the university to get all faculty, students and staff on the same page when it comes down to dealing with the world in which we live,” Montefusco said.
“Safety and security are everyone’s responsibility and we all need to work together to maintain the current, safe environment.”

Once nominated for participation in the FBI National Academy by the WCSU Police Department, Montefusco underwent an extensive background check and interview process. Only one-half of 1 percent of all law enforcement personnel in the world are invited by the director of the FBI to attend the academy. 

Montefusco said it was an overwhelming honor to participate in the intensive, 10-week training at Quantico, Va.

According to the FBI website, “Established in 1935, the National Academy provides advanced investigative, management and fitness training to senior officers who are proven leaders within their organizations. In addition to undergraduate and graduate-level college courses offered in areas such as law, behavioral and forensic science, understanding terrorism and terrorists, and leadership development, students forge lasting connections that strengthen global law enforcement partnerships.”

During the program, Montefusco took courses in civil law, civil liability, social media, communication strategies and labor law. 
He also received intensive behavioral training taught by an FBI behavioral scientist on the human psyche, anti-social and psycho-social behavior, and how people think.

Montefusco, who is one of Western’s firearms instructors, studied less-lethal munitions at the academy, focusing on the use of alternatives to guns such as batons, gas and “everything in the FBI’s arsenal.” Relying on less lethal options for crowd control, Montefusco said, will allow university police to neutralize a situation in seconds without having to wait for special teams to arrive on campus.

Montefusco poses in VIRTSIM uniform

He also participated in the FBI’s “VIRTSIM,” which fabricates active shooter scenarios through the use of avatars. 
“They can produce any situation you can imagine,” Montefusco said, “and the avatars are so real that it really gets your adrenaline going. I went through in a team with 13 other guys who I had just met and we all immediately understood the concept that we had to work together.”

Fifty percent of the academy curriculum was based on physical training, which included a 6.1-mile Marine Corps run-and-obstacle course called the Yellow Brick Road. “It was some of the most grueling physical training I’ve ever gone through in my career,” Montefusco said. “They change your life when it comes to working out.”

Joining Montefusco at Quantico were police officers from 17 countries and 48 states, which he said not only enlarged his network of professional contacts but also Western’s ability to interact with officers nationwide and internationally for feedback on how other departments have handled specific situations. 

Among the officers in attendance were campus police from the University of Las Vegas, the University of Tennessee, and Penn State University. Montefusco was one of only three officers representing the hundreds of law enforcement agencies in Connecticut.

“The Academy gave me the opportunity to take a look at myself and my opportunities as a police officer, how to mold other officers and all aspects of leadership,” Montefusco said. “Overall, this rounds you off as a police officer and brought together everything I’ve learned in my 21-year career.

“It has also given me the confidence that any future issues can be solved,” he said. “It’s a compliment to our department - we have a great bunch of officers, and I understand the level of commitment and expertise that my fellow officers hold. As a father of two children, I would feel safe having them come to Western.”

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations, 203-837-8486.


This is a press release from Western Connecticut State University.

Oxford triathlete to compete for TEAM

DERBY - TEAM is pleased to announce the TRI Challenge with triathlete Nicholas Tarasovic, the agency said in a release. 

Triathlons have their origins in 1920s France, when competitors raced, biked and swam around the regions around Paris. 

About 50 years later the United States triathlons began on the West Coast.

Nicholas Tarasovic

In a few months, Oxford resident Tarasovic will be running, biking, and swimming for TEAM in Sandusky, Ohio’s Rev3. 
The Sept. 7 program includes three back-to-back endurance events:  swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles, a total of 140.6 miles for him to complete. 

 “Never think you can’t do it,” he said.  “I’ve always been a runner and decided in 2009 to cross train for biking and swimming.  Nothing is impossible; I encourage my five grandchildren to always be active.  My oldest seven-year old granddaughter recently completed her first tri event in Stamford where she swam in the ocean, biked, and ran.  To celebrate her achievement, I gave her my first triathlete medal.”

Tarasovic is an executive with DRS Consolidated Controls, husband, father, grandfather, and athlete with compassion and community dedication.  

Over the next two months Tarasovic will continue training on roads and waterways in the Valley. His goal is to complete 600 miles each month prior to the September triathlon.  
That takes dedication and motivation, and when you mix that with his compassion and community spirit, you come up with the ingredients for the TRI For TEAM Challenge. We are asking you to be part of Tarasovic's support team by really motivating him to train hard and support the community at the same time.

You can help him by making a pledge based on his training mileage. He's expecting to log between 4,500 to 5,000 miles during the course of the training. 
Visit http://www.gofundme.com/9fu5ts or TEAM’s Facebook page to keep up with his Mileage Scorecard and to support him (and TEAM) by making a pledge.

TEAM Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to connect individuals and families with solutions that lead to well-being, self-sufficiency and full participation in the community.  
It aims to achieve its mission by conducting activities that address the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals and families including resource mobilization, education, advocacy and service delivery. 
TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour and Woodbridge.         


This is a press release from TEAM, Inc.                                                                 

Women's business group to offer training in Shelton

The Women's Business Development Council will offer a free evening course, Basics of Intellectual Property, from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce offices, 10 Progress Drive, Shelton.

The course will teach the basics about intellectual property rights including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, and avoiding potential pitfalls.

To register or for more details, call 203-925-0686, toll-free 1-877-999-WBDC (9232), or visit www.ctwbdc.org.


Business counseling
Meet with a business counselor from the Women’s Business Development Council to discuss obtaining capital, marketing, legal issues, finance, business plans and other topics.

Appointment required; location and time to be determined upon registration.
For information call Janet Siegenthaler, 203-353-1750 or email jsiegenthaler@ctwbdc.org.

QuickBooks for Entrepreneurs
Certified QuickBooks advisors from the Women’s Business Development Council are available to meet with entrepreneurs at their place of business to provide insights and guidance with setting up a chart of accounts, bank reconciliations, inventory control, payroll issues, and more.

For more details or to make an appointment, contact Kyle Hamilton, 203-585-7465 or email KHamilton@ctwbdc.org.


For more information, visit www.ctwbdc.org or call 203-353-1750.


This is a press release from the Women’s Business Development Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women become economically self-sufficient. 

Facility in Shelton seeks volunteers

SHELTON - Wesley Village is looking for adults interested in volunteering in its Hands of Comfort Program.

Volunteers will receive training in giving gentle hand rubs to residents.
Training will be held at 10 a.m. March 13 at Crosby Commons Assisted Living on the Wesley Village campus, 580 Long Hill Ave. Snow date is March 20.

For information contact Barbara Quinn, 203-944-8292 to schedule an interview before the training session.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Ansonia plans emergency response training

ANSONIA – The Ansonia Rescue Medical Services and the Ansonia Office of Emergency Management will sponsor a Community Emergency Response Team Training to begin Feb. 25.

The training is free to applicants (18 years of age and older) and preference will be given to Ansonia residents, as class size is limited; senior citizens are also encouraged to participate.

No experience in emergency services is required. The training focuses on disaster preparedness and emergency response skills, as well as special training to aid in sheltering during an emergency.

An informational meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Ansonia Rescue Medical Services headquarters, 22 W. Main St.
Class size is limited.

The CERT training is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings from Feb. 25 to April 3 at the Ansonia Rescue Medical Service Headquarters from 6:30-9 p.m.
Graduates of the program who join the Ansonia CERT team will be issued CERT identification and a backpack with basic equipment.
After completion of training, members will be qualified to assist in operating a shelter during a major emergency as well as supporting emergency responders in various roles.
The Ansonia team members also will be eligible to participate in additional CERT training events in Connecticut.
 “We are very excited to host our second CERT class at ARMS. The initial group of CERT members are very active and will play a vital role in the leadership of new team members.  We are ready to bring Ansonia CERT to the next level with our new members,” said Jared Heon, Chief of ARMS.

The Community Emergency Response Team is a program of the Citizen Corps, a nationwide program supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. 

The purpose of CERT and the Citizen Corps is to train community members in emergency preparedness to support local emergency responders as volunteers with disaster relief and community safety.

The Ansonia Citizen Corps will work with the City of Ansonia’s Office of Emergency Management. The state-approved curriculum for basic training includes Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism.
In addition, classes will be given in sheltering, which is critical when people need to be evacuated to a local shelter.

For more information and registration forms contact Assistant Chief David Geloso, (ACERT) Coordinator, at dgeloso@ansoniarescue.com or 203-410-7372.

Applications are available at Ansonia City Hall, Town & City Clerk’s Office, ARMS headquarters, Ansonia Police Department or at www.ctacert.com or www.cityofansonia.com.



Applications should be dropped off at the Ansonia Rescue Medical Services headquarters or mailed to: ACERT, P.O. Box 149, Ansonia, 06401 no later than Feb. 21; advance registration is required.


This is a press release from Ansonia Rescue Medical Services.

Gentile learns about firefighting at training in Hartford

Several scenarios simulated

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile in firefighter gear. / Contributed photo

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, participated Monday in the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut (UPFFA of CT) Fire Ops 101 Day at the City of Hartford Fire Department Training Center. 
The day’s purpose is for Connecticut legislators to gain an understanding of the everyday life of professional, career firefighters by utilizing a “hands-on” approach.

“Understanding the physical and mental requirements and firefighters’ protocol will help me better understand their issues at the Capitol,” Gentile said.
“This experience was really eye opening for me. I have always had a deep respect for what our firefighters do. This event just brought that respect to a much higher, greater level. 
"Now I can fully understand and fully appreciate what they feel every time they run into a burning building or respond to a call for a motor vehicle accident.”

Gentile encountered a series of scenarios simulating a typical day for a firefighter including:

·        Structure fire

·        Motor vehicle accident

·        Emergency medical incident

·        Rapid intervention team work


This information is taken from a press release from Gentile's office.

Child booster car seat training slated in Derby

Sponsored by Safe Kids, Griffin Hospital, state

DERBY - Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley, Griffin Hospital and the CT Department of Public Health are teaming to offer free training on child booster car seats and a booster seat giveaway from 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 11 in Griffin’s Dining Room, 130 Division St.

This two-hour training will help answer questions about kids in booster seats. At the end of this training, participants will receive a free high back booster seat and instruction on proper use.

To be eligible for the giveaway, participants must have a child that weighs between 40 to 80 pounds and is between 42 and 57 inches tall.
Also, the participant’s vehicle must have lap-shoulder seat belts in the back seat.

The free seats are limited, so the class will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
To register or for more information, call Cathi at 203-732-1337 no later than April 8. Please have the age, weight and height of your child.
Enrollment will be capped at 36 booster seats, but a wait list will be taken for families after that. Attendance at the entire two-hour class is mandatory to receive the booster seat.
Parking will be free and a light supper will be served.

Ansonia to offer emergency response training

Informational meeting slated Feb. 18

           ANSONIA – The Ansonia Rescue Medical Service and the Ansonia Office of Emergency Management will sponsor a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training to begin March 5. 

            The training is free to applicants (14 years of age and older) and preference will be given to Ansonia residents, as class size is limited; senior citizens are also encouraged to participate.  No experience in emergency services is required. 

            The training focuses on disaster preparedness and emergency response skills, as well as special training to aid in sheltering during an emergency.

An informational meeting will take place Feb. 18 (snow date Feb. 20) at the Ansonia Rescue Medical Services headquarters, 22 West Main St., beginning at 6:30 p.m. for those interested. Class size is limited.

The CERT training is scheduled from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays March 5-28 at the Ansonia Rescue Medical Service headquarters. 

Graduates of the program who join the Ansonia CERT team will be issued CERT identification and a backpack with basic equipment.  

After completion of training, members will be qualified to assist in operating a shelter during a major emergency as well as supporting emergency responders in various roles. The Ansonia team members will also be eligible to participate in additional CERT training events in Connecticut.

 “In times of disasters we find our City’s emergency services, namely police, fire, medical services and public works are taxed to the limit. By implementing CERT in Ansonia, we can supplement city services by training CERT members to help with vital tasks,” said Jared Heon, Chief of Ansonia Rescue Medical Services.

The Community Emergency Response Team is a program of the Citizen Corps, a nationwide program supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. 

The purpose of CERT and the Citizen Corps is to train community members in emergency preparedness to support local emergency responders as volunteers with disaster relief and community safety. 

The Ansonia Citizen Corps will work with the City of Ansonia’s Office of Emergency Management.

           The state-approved curriculum for basic training includes Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism. 

           In addition, classes will be given in sheltering, which is critical when people need to be evacuated to a local shelter.

For information and registration forms: contact Assistant Chief David Geloso, (ACERT) Coordinator, at dgeloso@ansoniarescue.com or at 203-410-7372. 

Applications are available at Ansonia City Hall, Town & City Clerk’s Office, Ansonia Rescue & Medical Service Headquarters, Ansonia Police Department or online at www.cityofansonia.com.  Applications should be dropped off at the Ansonia Rescue Medical Services Headquarters or mailed to: ACERT, PO Box 149, Ansonia, CT. 06401 no later than Feb. 28 as advance registration is required. 

This information is from a press release from the City of Ansonia.