OP/FYI for July 2004 - Page 2

citizens, aggressive training and strategic investments in equipment and technology have kept crime low. Highlights of recent Oak Park Police Department initiatives include assigning on-site resource officers to both middle schools; creating a new bureau to help address the law enforcement challenges of the 21st century, such as information management, training and recruitment; equipping 11 unmarked squad cars with lap top computers; forming a new street crimes team that has reduced narcotic activity on Austin Boulevard and made major arrests for other crimes; and opening a new substation on Austin Boulevard at Harrison Street. For more information on police programs, call 386.3800 or email police@oak-park.us.

Emergency medical response in Oak Park is an integral component of the Village's municipal public safety programs. Systematic efforts have refocused fire and emergency medical services programs around a model emphasizing advanced life support. The number of licensed paramedics among Oak Park firefighters has been increased and the latest in advanced life support vehicles deployed. The Village also now provides emergency medical dispatch procedures through the West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center, which serves both Oak Park and River Forest. These initiatives have given Oak Park one of the most progressive and effective emergency medical response systems in the area and made the Village a national leader in critical life saving response. Citizens have gotten involved in emergency care, too, through the Village's AED and CPR training programs offered through the Fire Department, which trained nearly 1,000 citizens. Highlights of recent Oak Park Fire Department initiatives include creating a child passenger safety seat inspection program; implementing pre-fire planning software on fire apparatus that gives firefighters access to the layouts of many of the Village's commercial and public buildings; and developing a technical rescue team to better respond to difficult situations, such as high-angle, trench and confined space situations. For more information on emergency response call 445.3300 or email fire@oak-park.us.

Over the past four years, Oak Park's Department of Public Health has emerged as one of the most progressive community focused local health agencies in the state. From creating one of the state's first bioterrorism response plans to preparing to address ensuing threats to public health that have arisen from international events, the Oak Park Department of Public Health has brought an unprecedented level of health services to the Village. Many innovative strategies have enabled the Health Department to achieve a very high level of community service, including procuring grant funds to support valuable health initiatives above and beyond those supported by local funding. The Department also has expanded it services by creating partnership with a range of community coalitions and organizations. Highlights of recent Oak Park Department of Public Health initiatives include developing a smallpox inoculation plan in anticipation of a national call for vaccinations; creating the Know Your Numbers Program, which offers cardiovascular screening; expanding the flu inoculation clinic to 10 additional sites; developing an effective West Nile Virus prevention and response plan; and offering free, smoking cessation classes. For more information on public health programs call 358.5480 or email health@oak-park.us.

Next month -- Investment and Planning (watch for the video versions on VOP-TV6)


				Ensuring public safety a vital municipal government role Ensuring the safety of the public is among a municipal government's most important roles. From police and fire protection to protecting the health of individuals and the environment, Oak Park has become one of the best equipped and most effective communities in the Midwest and the country when it comes to ensuring public safety.


				Police Protection Crime is at a 22-year low in Oak Park. This is occurring even as gang and drug related crime and violence has grown in some neighboring communities. Austin saw more than 60 murders in 2003 and a serious collapse of public safety in Maywood resulted in 21 murders last year. But here in Oak Park, progressive management, consistent funding, high police visibility, effective, trusting relationships between police and



				citizens, aggressive training and strategic investments in equipment and technology have kept crime low. Highlights of recent Oak Park Police Department initiatives include assigning on-site resource officers to both middle schools; creating a new bureau to help address the law enforcement challenges of the 21st century, such as information management, training and recruitment; equipping 11 unmarked squad cars with lap top computers; forming a new street crimes team that has reduced narcotic activity on Austin Boulevard and made major arrests for other crimes; and opening a new substation on Austin Boulevard at Harrison Street. For more information on police programs, call 386.3800 or email police@oak-park.us. Emergency response Emergency medical response in Oak Park is an integral component of the Village's municipal public safety programs. Systematic efforts have refocused fire and emergency medical services programs around a model emphasizing advanced life support. The number of licensed paramedics among Oak Park firefighters has been increased and the latest in advanced life support vehicles deployed. The Village also now provides emergency medical dispatch procedures through the West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center, which serves both Oak Park and River Forest. These initiatives have given Oak Park one of the most progressive and effective emergency medical response systems in the area and made the Village a national leader in critical life saving response. Citizens have gotten involved in emergency care, too, through the Village's AED and CPR training programs offered through the Fire Department, which trained nearly 1,000 citizens. Highlights of recent Oak Park Fire Department initiatives include creating a child passenger safety seat inspection program; implementing pre-fire planning software on fire apparatus that gives firefighters access to the layouts of many of the Village's commercial and public buildings; and developing a technical rescue team to better respond to difficult situations, such as high-angle, trench and confined space situations. For more information on emergency response call 445.3300 or email fire@oak-park.us. Public health Over the past four years, Oak Park's Department of Public Health has emerged as one of the most progressive community focused local health agencies in the state. From creating one of the state's first bioterrorism response plans to preparing to address ensuing threats to public health that have arisen from international events, the Oak Park Department of Public Health has brought an unprecedented level of health services to the Village. Many innovative strategies have enabled the Health Department to achieve a very high level of community service, including procuring grant funds to support valuable health initiatives above and beyond those supported by local funding. The Department also has expanded it services by creating partnership with a range of community coalitions and organizations. Highlights of recent Oak Park Department of Public Health initiatives include developing a smallpox inoculation plan in anticipation of a national call for vaccinations; creating the Know Your Numbers Program, which offers cardiovascular screening; expanding the flu inoculation clinic to 10 additional sites; developing an effective West Nile Virus prevention and response plan; and offering free, smoking cessation classes. For more information on public health programs call 358.5480 or email health@oak-park.us. Next month -- Investment and Planning (watch for the video versions on VOP-TV6)
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