Henderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale calls it “crew integrity” – it’s the way a group of firefighters establishes and strengthens the bond by learning and by doing together, whether it’s shopping in the grocery store or participating in a training exercise.
One way Twisdale promoted this concept recently was by acknowledging the accomplishments of several firefighters who have received promotions, including Donte Richardson and Jack Wilkinson, two firefighters who have been with the department for just a few years.
Richardson joined the department in 2019, and since then Twisdale said he’s found a career path.
“He’s developed into a good mentor,” Twisdale said, adding that Richardson now wears a white helmet, signifying his promotion to captain.
But Richardson also was recognized as the recipient of the city’s employee of the quarter award and the Optimist award.
Twisdale said Richardson epitomizes the traits of an optimist – always upbeat and looking for the good in all situations – which plays a key role in his abilities to provide training and instruction to other firefighters.
Twisdale said he knew Richardon would be “good at influencing the new generation of firefighters” as he watched the young man obtain various certifications and complete trainings over the past few years.
Wilkinson, who joined the department in 2022, has been promoted to fire engineer, Twisdale said.
Not only does an engineer drive the truck to fire calls, Twisdale explained, but he also “is responsible for the equipment on the truck being in good working order. He’s the person standing beside the truck, moving the levers and making sure (firefighters) are protected” when they’re inside a burning structure.
“He is one of the most relied-upon members of the fire department,” Twisdale said.
Richardson and Wilkinson are among 12 firefighters that belong to one of three shifts – A, B, C – and Twisdale said each shift become like a family, spending 24 hours at the time together as they live, work, train and go out on calls together.
Anyone who thinks that firefighters sit around the station, playing cards all day, while they’re waiting for a call to come in needs to think again, Twisdale said.
Between daily training, EMS calls and more, Twisdale said there’s plenty for firefighters to do on any given shift.
Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds and Capt. Randy Owen recently visited the new assisted living facility Bridges at Parkview to conduct some staff training.
Helping staff learn how to handle smaller emergencies, including general fire safety and safe operation of fire extinguishers, for example, could cut down on unnecessary calls.
Both Edmonds and Owen are working with fire inspections, and Twisdale said both men have proven to be a good fit for the department and for the role they play in the community.
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Online Workshops In August Designed To Support Caregivers To Those Living With Dementia
/by WIZS StaffTwo chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association in North Carolina are partnering with the Parkinson’s Foundation Carolinas to host a series of free virtual weekly education workshops to help those who are providing care for family members or others living with dementia.
The series is titled The Empowered Caregiver and it is designed to help caregivers by sharing activities they can apply to their specific situations.
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease and the most common cause of dementia. Parkinson’s disease dementia also falls under that umbrella term. While the disease states are different, there are similarities in caring for both forms of dementia.
“Our latest Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report shows that dementia caregivers in North Carolina face significant emotional, physical and health-related challenges as a result of caregiving,” said Christine John-Fuller, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “Dementia is also common for individuals in later stage Parkinson’s. Our goal with this collaboration with the Parkinson’s Foundation is to offer tools and education to help caregivers feel supported and see pathways forward.”
The Empowered Caregiver education series will be offered via live webinar each Thursday in August from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. -with each week covering a new topic.
Building Foundations of Caregiving – August 1
Explores the role of caregiver and changes they may experience building a support team and managing stress.
Supporting Independence – August 8
Focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.
Communicating Effective – August 15
Teaches how dementia affects communication, including tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals.
Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors – August 22
Details common behavior changes and how they’re a form of communication, non-medical approaches to behaviors and recognizing when help is needed.
Exploring Care and Support Services – August 29
Examines how best to prepare for future care decisions and changes, including respite care, residential care and end of life care.
“We are excited about this partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association because no matter the disease, care partners need help,” says Diana Parrish, senior advancement director, Carolinas Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “As a care partner for 19 years, we have found that the Parkinson’s Foundation’s resources, services, and programs have helped us on this journey!”
There is no charge to participate, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link for the series. To sign-up, visit tinyurl.com/CaregiverAugust or call 800.272.3900.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-26-24 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Drought? What Drought? WIZS Listening Area Removed From ‘Abnormally Dry’ Status
/by WIZS StaffGiven the recent downpours, showers and afternoon and evening thunderstorms, the WIZS listening area no longer is in the “abnormally dry” status posted by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council.
Just last week, most of the state was experiencing some level of drought conditions, according to NCDROUGHT.ORG, but since then, that level has decreased, thanks to substantial rainfall. Only five counties remain in severe drought, with 30 counties still in moderate drought and 47 others in the abnormally dry category.
Rainfall totals vary widely across the four counties, with some areas reporting 1-inch, 2-inch, even 5-inch totals just in the last week.
The rain has been a welcome sight for farmers with crops in the field. Hopefully, corn and bean crops in the southeastern portion of the state have gotten some relief as well.
SportsTalk: Elliott Readies Vipers For Practice
/by WIZS StaffWhere will you be at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 31? If you want to play JV or varsity football in a Vance County High School Vipers uniform, the correct answer is: at football practice.
Head Coach Aaron Elliott said high schools can officially start practice on July 31 and the players are looking forward to the late-night tradition that Elliott began his first year as coach.
“This is the third year,” Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk with Bill Harris and George Hoyle. The players “absolutely love it and look forward to it – we’re gonna keep it going.”
The workouts and practices they’ve had over the summer have been well attended, , but they’re not mandatory, so Elliott said the Tuesday night/Wednesday morning session will get things started in earnest. He figures he’s talked with 85 or so young people who want to play this season.
He’s especially pleased about the number of younger players – “that’s going tohelp the JV team out,” he said.
There’s one incoming freshman, however, who has probably already got a spot on the varsity squad, Elliott noted. He said he got the chance to catch a Vance County Middle School game and witnessed a particular player score touchdowns three different ways – on a kickoff return playing special teams, intercepting a pass on defense and scampering across the goal line for six on offense.
Making a mental note to keep an eye on this young man, Elliott said he had the chance to speak with him and about being a part of the program. “He’s been with us all summer – hasn’t missed a practice,” Elliott said. Chances are, he’ll be starting on defense when the season opens.
Elliott said he’s talked with other coaches and they’re experiencing an uptick in interest in high sports, which is encouraging.
“As much as we want to put COVID in the past, it’s still affecting high school sports,” he said. The football team graduated 10 players last year; that number is set to rise to 14 this year and if the trend continues, next year’s team will have 29 graduate. For Elliott, those numbers have a direct correlation to decreased numbers during the COVID pandemic.
The Wednesday practice will last about an hour and 45 minutes, Elliott said and then they’ll have a more normal practice time on Thursday at 5 p.m.
There’s a Jamboree on Aug. 9, and another exhibition-style game on Aug. 17 before the season opener away again Warren County High School on Aug. 23.
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TownTalk: Around Old Granville: Forgotten Historical Figures
/by Laura GabelMark Pace, NC Room Specialist at Thornton Library in Oxford talks about local historical figures that have been forgotten.
The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Batteries
/by WIZS Staff— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.
Did you know that extreme heat can do a number on your car’s battery just like extreme cold can?
Being exposed to continuous heat – like the recent stretch of 90+ degree days – can drain your car’s battery, and that’s not good. In fact, extreme heat or extreme cold can increase your vehicle battery’s rate of discharge.
Turns out, a life of a battery in the North is between four and five years, but it’s only between two and three years for batteries in the South.
It’s a good idea to inspect your vehicle’s battery a couple of times a year to spot any unwelcome signs that you’re about to have a problem.
Drive in to an Advance Auto Parts to have a member of their team check your battery and charging system.
Without getting into the science behind how a battery actually works, let’s just say that the battery stores energy that is called on to start the engine when you turn the key – or push the button, in newer models.
When the cells inside the battery are fully charged, everything’s goo. But when they don’t all function, the battery isn’t going to produce enough volts to crank the engine. A process called sulfation reduces the battery’s ability to hold a full charge, which can lead to problems starting the engine.
Signs of a failing battery include:
A weakened battery doesn’t have to work as hard to turn over the engine when it’s warm outside, so drivers may not detect a problem until much later, when the outside temps drop. The battery has to work harder during colder seasons to crank the engine, so that could be why winter gets blamed for killing batteries. Let the professional staff at Advance Auto Parts help you select a battery that is right for your vehicle needs.
The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS. Safety First! Always seek proper help. This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.
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Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Sharing, Part 2
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-25-24 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Aug. 6, 7 Forums To Provide Updates On Broadband Internet Expansion
/by WIZS Staff– information courtesy of the Office of N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon
N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon has scheduled upcoming forums – one in Vance County and one in Granville County – to provide updates on the status of expanding broadband internet across the counties he serves.
Leaders from the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity will provide in-person updates on the state’s efforts to close the digital divide, according to a press statement from Sossamon’s office.
The Vance County forum will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Perry Memorial Library from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity Nate Denny will be the speaker.
The Granville County forum will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 7, also from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Granville County Expo Center. NCDIT Broadband Infrastructure Deputy Director George Collier will be the guest speaker.
To date, the Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has awarded more than $500 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to deploy high-speed internet infrastructure across North Carolina. This funding also supports initiatives to help residents afford internet access, obtain digital devices, and access digital literacy resources.
Specific to Granville and Vance counties, nearly $12 million has been awarded for projects connecting 5,828 homes and businesses. Highlights include:
Granville County Schools have also benefited from these efforts, recently receiving $400,000 to expand device lending programs, offer digital literacy training led by student interns, and establish community Wi-Fi locations through the division’s Digital Champion grant program.
Attendees at both sessions will have the opportunity to ask questions about the state’s broadband initiatives and individual projects aimed at bringing high-speed internet service and digital literacy resources to their county.
TownTalk: Henderson Fire Department Engages With Community
/by WIZS StaffHenderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale calls it “crew integrity” – it’s the way a group of firefighters establishes and strengthens the bond by learning and by doing together, whether it’s shopping in the grocery store or participating in a training exercise.
One way Twisdale promoted this concept recently was by acknowledging the accomplishments of several firefighters who have received promotions, including Donte Richardson and Jack Wilkinson, two firefighters who have been with the department for just a few years.
Richardson joined the department in 2019, and since then Twisdale said he’s found a career path.
“He’s developed into a good mentor,” Twisdale said, adding that Richardson now wears a white helmet, signifying his promotion to captain.
But Richardson also was recognized as the recipient of the city’s employee of the quarter award and the Optimist award.
Twisdale said Richardson epitomizes the traits of an optimist – always upbeat and looking for the good in all situations – which plays a key role in his abilities to provide training and instruction to other firefighters.
Twisdale said he knew Richardon would be “good at influencing the new generation of firefighters” as he watched the young man obtain various certifications and complete trainings over the past few years.
Wilkinson, who joined the department in 2022, has been promoted to fire engineer, Twisdale said.
Not only does an engineer drive the truck to fire calls, Twisdale explained, but he also “is responsible for the equipment on the truck being in good working order. He’s the person standing beside the truck, moving the levers and making sure (firefighters) are protected” when they’re inside a burning structure.
“He is one of the most relied-upon members of the fire department,” Twisdale said.
Richardson and Wilkinson are among 12 firefighters that belong to one of three shifts – A, B, C – and Twisdale said each shift become like a family, spending 24 hours at the time together as they live, work, train and go out on calls together.
Anyone who thinks that firefighters sit around the station, playing cards all day, while they’re waiting for a call to come in needs to think again, Twisdale said.
Between daily training, EMS calls and more, Twisdale said there’s plenty for firefighters to do on any given shift.
Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds and Capt. Randy Owen recently visited the new assisted living facility Bridges at Parkview to conduct some staff training.
Helping staff learn how to handle smaller emergencies, including general fire safety and safe operation of fire extinguishers, for example, could cut down on unnecessary calls.
Both Edmonds and Owen are working with fire inspections, and Twisdale said both men have proven to be a good fit for the department and for the role they play in the community.
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