The brutal cold outside did not dampen the warmth inside Brimstone as we gathered for our January 27th meeting. In fact, most members seemed happy to be gathering together after a couple of forced days at home due to icy conditions! Richard Matherly led us in Happy Dollars. Here are some of the highlights:

• Brad Serff is celebrating his retirement this week and shared information on a fundraiser for the Milton First Responder's Foundation Concert on the Green on April 18th. Congratulations on your retirement, Brad! 
• William Bennett expressed gratitude for our club's CPR/AED training team, as they prepare to teach two very full classes at his neighborhood in February. In honor of this, he is making donations to both Richard and Rick's Polar Plunge Fundraisers. 
• Jonathan Stelling donated some happy dollars to celebrate Jim Murphy joining our club. Jonathan and Jim attended graduate school together at Emory.
• Lisa Gelber donated some happy dollars as she celebrates 7 years as a member of this club! 

Today's Happy Dollars were donated to the Milton First Responder's Foundation.

Our guests today included Jason Lanyon from Wellstar North Fulton Hospital and recently-retired Andy Wheeler, formerly of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. Both Andy and Jason played critical and supportive roles in our ability to train 1000 residents in CPR/AED use! 

New Member Induction: Welcome, Jim Murphy!

It is always exciting to add a new member to the club and today was no different. We are pleased to have Jim Murphy as the newest member of our club and look forward to getting to know him better as we serve the community together. Jim is sponsored by Marc Gelber and Jeffrey Esterkes.

Today's Program: Milton Fire Rescue Department (MFR): Putting Community First

Our guest speakers this week were MFR Fire Chief Gabe Benmoussa and MFR Chief Medical Officer Mark Haskins. Founded in 2007, the City of Milton is guided by a clear mission through its Fire Rescue Department: "to put our community first for a stronger and safer tomorrow." That commitment was evident throughout an informative and engaging discussion. 

Member Steve Cory led a panel-style conversation with our guests, offering valuable insight into the scope and evolution of MFR's work. Of the approximately 3,000 calls handled annually by the department, nearly 50% are medical-related. For this reason, the City of Milton requires all MFR members to hold at least an EMT (emergency medical technician) certification, with many achieving advanced credentials such as Advanced EMT or Paramedic. 

Every MFR vehicle is equipped to function as an ambulance, ensuring rapid, high-quality care when seconds matter most. In 2022, the department further strengthened its emergency response by equipping all vehicles with AutoPulse - a portable, battery-operated mechanical device that delivers consistent, high-quality chest compressions to cardiac arrest patients. The impact has been remarkable. While the national average survival rate for cardiac arrest is 9%, Milton increased its success rate to 13% in 2023 and an impressive 33% in 2024, largely due to the implementation of AutoPulse.

Staying at the forefront of community-centered care, MFR also launched CARES (Community Advocate Referral Education Services), a community paramedic outreach program. Milton Fire CARES is a mobile integrated health initiative designed to bridge the gap between emergency response and everyday healthcare needs. By focusing on proactive, supportive care, the program has delivered measurable results - reducing 911 usage among participating community members by 66% over just two years. 

Looking ahead, Milton is joining with Roswell and Alpharetta in an effort to become a "4-Minute City". This initiative reimagines cardiac arrest response by strategically placing AEDs in the hands of trained volunteers, law enforcement officers, and local businesses. With nearly 80% of cardiac arrests occurring in homes and survivability decreasing by 10% with every minute of delay, rapid access to AEDs is critical. Reaching a patient within four minutes can dramatically improve survival outcomes.

We are truly fortunate to live in a community that prioritizes public safety and well-being. Special thanks to Steve Cory for arranging this outstanding program and for expertly leading the panel discussion.