This is the article I hoped I would never have to write you. Our chapter region has been dealt a difficult blow with recent fire activity. In my 20+ years of experience with the people of our region, Southern Oregon and Northern California, I have learned that the people in our region will band together to help each other get through these challenges. I know that many of you are already getting involved to help any way you can with the hundreds of displaced individuals in our communities through community, government, and church organizations. A lot of this work is changing daily, so it is difficult to give you up-to-date information about the opportunities to help as I write this article. From what I understand at this time, some items needed most are toiletries, ready-to-eat foods, and pet food. There is an anticipated need for tools such as shovels and rakes as residents are allowed to return to their homes. Of course, there is still a huge need for PPE like masks and work gloves.
 
Any recovery from something this big will take time. Because of this, I know that we will also be looking at new ways that our Southern Oregon Chapter can support the safety and health of our community in light of this devastating week. Feel free to contact me with ideas you may have going forward about how our members and chapter can support our community and make improvements. Remember, we are safety professionals, and it is time for us to help. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. My sincere appreciation goes out to our brave fire fighters, law enforcement, and public works teams across our region.
 
Stay safe!
 
David Hanson, CSP
President, ASSP – Southern Oregon Chapter
Senior Safety Management Consultant, SAIF Corporation
 
David has an expertise building dynamic safety teams and developing high-performing safety cultures. He spent 18 years at Timber Products Company as a Supervisor and Safety Coordinator and facilitated continued certification into Oregon OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).

I am thinking of you all as we navigate the new conditions this pandemic is creating. Many people are reporting unusually high levels of stress and increased anxiety. I want to remind you to pay extra attention to what you can do, moment-to-moment, to calm (or excite) your nervous system as often during the day, and for some, the night. As you help your nervous system calm and reset, you provide the needed internal environment to reduce your stress hormones that cause the increased anxiety, headaches, fear, overeating, etc., that many are struggling with.
 
How can you calm your nervous system and give it a chance to reboot?
 
A key reminder, whatever you do, grows. Is your breathing, thinking, conversation and activity supporting calm, joy, and capability or upset and projecting fear?

• Breathe – low and slow. BELLY out first. 4-6 breaths a minute. Can you do this breathing on the hour or a few times a day?
• Engage your inner coach. Remind yourself in your self-talk, that while you might not like what is going on, you have the skills to work with it.
• Play soothing music in the background. Your nervous system will ‘entrain’ or sync to the beat. If you can find music you enjoy without words, all the better.
• Watch your sugar and caffeine consumption; both increase stress hormones.
• Find a conversation friend – someone who is able to have conversations that include humor, appreciation, and good brain-storming. Intentionally stay away from projecting fear, overwhelm, and dismay.
• Remember to build your life around your joy.

 
Robin’s Ideas for Having a Great Day
1. Before you get out of bed in the morning:
     a. Take three deep, slow belly breaths. Start your day with fresh oxygen.
     b. Think of something you love or are grateful for.
     c. Order up! Focus your mind on what your intention is for the day.
2. Remember your Q-TIP: Quit Taking It Personally. What other people say and do is about their wants and needs; it’s not about you.
3. Connect with at least one person every day in a meaningful, uplifting manner.
4. Notice and celebrate your accomplishments. Congratulate yourself any time you remember to breathe and calm down instead of snapping at your child, coworker, or spouse.
5. Drink plenty of water. Hydration supports your energy level and flushes your toxins.
6. Get up and move. Take a five-minute walk. Stretch. Moving your body frequently during the day will help you maintain a better cognitive and emotional balance.
7. Listen to music that inspires you. Choose songs that move you to laughter, smiles, tears, or any emotion that is real for you.
8. Fill your days with gratitude. Make a list of what you are grateful for and put that list where you can see it easily. Make it a regular habit to be grateful.
9. Stop engaging in conversations that trigger your survival brain. Steer clear of shaming, blaming, and complaining. Reroute or disengage from conversations that include criticizing, comparing, or recycling disappointments. Stop initiating or participating in put-downs or snide remarks, gossip, whining, or angry outbursts. Don’t energize the drama.
10. Focus on what you do want rather than what you don’t want. Remember, your brain does not process negatives. Replace what you don’t want with a request for what you do want – in your own mind and in your conversations with others.
11. Laugh! Who makes you laugh, chuckle, and grin? Include contact with them or thoughts of them often.
12. If your children are upset, use your breathing to calm their difficult moments. When you are breathing fully and easily, you can parent consistently and calmly.
13. Feel your feelings - but act from your values. Remember, you can have strong and uncomfortable feelings and still choose behaviors that are in alignment with your values.
 
 
Robin Rose
Author, Trainer and Consultant
 
https://www.robinrose.com/
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​Without a doubt, the past few days have had their challenges. Many of you, and your loved ones, have been directly impacted by recent fires that have swept through our region and communities. With an estimated 600 homes lost in the Almeda fire, and a wildfire still threatening Shady Cove and Butte Falls, there is potential for more loss. If you have a desire to help in any way, or know someone in need, the Jackson County Emergency Management webpage and The Rogue Valley Preparedness and Recovery Hub is an amazing source of information and resources for volunteer work, donations, community resource organizations, shelter locations, free meals, and mental health support. In addition, below is a compiled list of organizations that are also taking donations to help provide for the direct needs and long-term recovery of recent fire victims. Thank you for all you do. Please stay safe.
Ella Lane Boutique at 739 Medford Center is accepting donations; here is what they need:
-Clothing (all sizes)            -Shoes (all sizes)
-New Underwear (all sizes) -Hangers      
-New Socks (all sizes)        -Toiletries
                   
Josephine County Fairgrounds is open to receive donated items; here is what they need:
-Non-perishable food          -Toiletries
-Water                              -New sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows
 
Medford Neighborhood Church “I C.A.R.E.” campaign – MONETARY DONATIONS ONLY
Donate online here – make sure to distinguish that your donation is for “I C.A.R.E.”
Mail to 1819 W. Stewart Ave. Medford, OR 97501
 
Journey Church – MONETARY DONATIONS ONLY
Donate online here – select “Almeda Fire Relief”
 
Red Cross – monetary donation for general disaster relief
          Donate online here
 
Rogue Valley Fire Mutual Aid has established supply drop-off locations:
South Ashland @ 770 Faith St. (Drop off at driveway on Wine St.)
North Ashland @ 223 Maple St. (Drop off at side yard/driveway)
 
Rogue Credit Union is matching up to $50,000 in donations.
Donate online here
 
New Life Church is open as a shelter and is distributing donated goods.
Call (541) 779-7777 Text (531) 262-1823
Email: info@newlifenaz.church
Two locations at 1974 E. McAndrews Rd. Medford, OR & South Medford High School 1551 Cunningham Ave. Medford, OR

Roy Harper

Considering recent circumstances within our Southern Oregon community, I was inclined to write an article for the Southern Oregon ASSP newsletter. I am a member of the SO ASSP chapter and work in the safety field. However, I have spent most of my adult life as a firefighter/paramedic. With these wildfires spreading through our community, devastating everything in their path, my time has been split between the fire department and my safety position. As fatigue sets in and is accompanied by overwhelming empathy for my fellow Southern Oregon residents, I am reminded of a poem used in my firefighting training more times than I can count. This poem was written by Dave Hollenbach who is a retired lieutenant with Orange County Fire Rescue and was adapted from the Navy SEALs. What he wrote is more of a creed than a poem. It is something every firefighter has adopted as they prepare to put their lives at risk to save another’s. This creed embodies the firefighting career and every man/woman who wears that Maltese cross accepts the responsibility of this chosen profession. 

“Where there are citizens in distress or in harm’s way there is a special breed that stands ready to answer the call.

A common individual with uncommon desires forged by adversity this person stands alongside their brothers and sisters to serve their community, and protect their lives and property.
​
I am that firefighter!”

My thoughts and prayers go out to all our firefighters, police officers, medics/EMTs, dispatchers, public works, utilities, and all other responders who answered the call and worked tirelessly to protect the lives and property of our Southern Oregon residents. Please keep these responders in your thoughts as they have worked days on end fighting to lessen the impact of this tragic event. Thousands of residents have been displaced while losing everything. However, we should be hopeful. My family has volunteered in the relief effort and have passed out necessities for the affected residents. Nurses, CNAs, and healthcare providers working their regular 12-hour shifts and then volunteering their time in the relief effort is something to see. The community response has been nothing short than inspirational. Piles of donated items stretching from the floor to the ceiling can be seen in many locations. Southern Oregon has shown their fortitude and wherewithal once again! 
 
Kyle Valley