President Del rang the bell and opened the meeting, noting that the Four Way Test ensures that there will not be any “alternative facts” at today’s meeting. The club sang God Bless America, and Tom Beaumont provided an invocation.
Vegas Night:Brad Burdick reminded us of the Club’s Vegas Night event is scheduled for Saturday evening, February 11 at The Mount Baker Theatre. Tickets are available at the Mt Baker Theatre box office. This event will fund our new International Student Exchange and contribute to the Service Fund. The event is described on the Club’s web site. You can now go to our website at bellinghamrotary.org home page to get more information.
This is a significant fundraising effort for the Club that promises to be a fun evening of entertainment, gaming and socializing. It is hoped that all Club members will participate. All Club members are expected to buy at least two tickets, either for themselves or guests. Tickets are $100 each, available at the Mt Baker Theater box office or at our club meeting. President Del reminded us that a featured attraction of the evening will be a performance by nationally recognized local magician John Walton, in which among other things he will open a special magic box that contains predictions for the future and will saw in half a prominent area attorney (Dominique Zervas ). Not surprisingly, and to laughter from the lunch audience, someone asked if John could be asked to work on more than one attorney.
President Del announced that the Sunrise Club is holding its annual Oyster Fest on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 6:00 to 10:00. Club members are invited to attend and enjoy the delicious seafood and local spirits.
Guests of Rotarians:
Lynda Hinton introduced Kyle Gebhardt with Strider Construction
Dominique Zervas brought Hans Erchinger-Davis with Light House Mission
Colleen Baldwin introduced Lin Nelson new COO with Whatcom Land Title
Paula McCandlis introduced her son, Logan Dozal
Jan Marchbanks and D. C. Morse brought Rachel Long with Access Real Estate Services
Doug Cole introduced Ray Dellecker with Habitat for Humanity
Presentations:
Doug Cole presented a service fund award to Habitat for Humanity. Ray Dellecker accepted the award on behalf of Habitat, and noted that they are now completing their 37th house in Whatcom County. The service fund award will help pay for kitchen cabinets and counters in the new house. Rotary members are invited to visit the house and help with the construction project.
Program:
Andy Day introduced the program speakers: Dante Alexander and Eric Ostercamp from the Bellingham Police Department and Captain Eric Postma of the Bellingham Fire Department.
The Fire and Police departments have a unique partnership in Bellingham for response to active shooter incidents in our community. In the past, the fire and safety response to active shooter incidents focused on surrounding and containing the threat, and many victims died from bleeding out before aid could reach them. The local strategy is speed trauma care to the victims while the incident is taking place, with goals of stopping bleeding and neutralizing the shooter. The main elements of the response include threat suppression, hemorrhage control, and extrication. The departments conduct joint trainings on a quarterly basis, and have special staff dedicated to the responses.
The police department also conducts community education to help people prepare for and avoid active shooter situations. The trainings are provided for businesses, schools, and other organizations.
The community education addresses three responses for people caught in an active shooting incident: Run; Hide; and Fight. The training helps people become more aware of their surroundings and possible escape routes. The training also addresses options for safe hiding and self-defense.
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