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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER <br />February 7, 2008 <br />City of Eugene <br />777 Pearl Street, Room 105 <br />Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 <br />(541) 682-5010 <br />(541) 682-5414 (FAX) <br />www.eugene-or.gov <br />IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION <br />FIRE & EMS HOSTS ANIMAL ASSISTED CRISIS RESPONSE TRAINING <br />“STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS” WORKSHOP AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY <br />FERNDALE PARK NEIGHBORS INVITED TO PARK DESIGN WORKSHOP <br />OUTDOOR PROGRAM’S MOVIE NIGHT TAKES VIEW ON AN ADVENTURE <br />AROUND THE CITY <br />Fire & EMS Hosts Animal Assisted Crisis Response Training <br />Thirteen handler/canine teams and two team leaders -- <br />including Eugene Fire Department's own Cody, Official <br />Fire Safety Dalmatian -- gathered recently at EFD’s <br />training center for 40 hours of intense classroom and <br />simulation exercises to prepare for assisting victims <br />and responders affected by tragedy and disaster. <br />Animal Assisted Crisis Response teams listen, <br />comfort, assess, and bridge an emotional gap between <br />the victims and responders. After a dog calms a <br />victim, the dog's owner can then listen to the victim <br />and help determine if a doctor, nurse, emergency <br />medical technician, or mental health professional can <br />assist. Often, victims will shut down emotionally, stop <br />thinking clearly, or lash out in the midst of crisis or <br />disaster. A dog's presence, and even more so, petting the animal, can help have a calming effect and <br />help a person think more clearly. The teams also support first responders who often shoulder a great <br />emotional burden from their exposure to the tragedy and suffering of others. It is AACR’s hope that the <br />healing and therapeutic power of animals can bring them some comfort as well. <br />A crucial element in preparing the animals for crisis work is exposing them to the sights, sounds and <br />smells they encounter at a disaster sight. During the training, EFD provided exposure to blaring sirens, <br />air brakes, power equipment, back-up alarms and firefighters in turnouts and air packs. Teams also <br />practiced riding escalators, going through airport security, and boarding an airplane. For more <br />information, please contact Deputy Fire Marshal Amy Linder at 682-8428. <br />"Starting a Small Business" Workshop at Eugene Public Library <br />Many people dream of going into business on their own, but how to turn that great idea into reality? The <br />first step could be the free workshop Starting a Small Business, on Saturday, February 16, 3:00, at the <br />Downtown Eugene Public Library. <br />Encouraging experts from Lane Community College Small Business Center, SCORE (Service Corps of <br />Retired Executives), and the Library's Business and Career Center share practical information and <br />answer questions. Topics include writing a business plan; funding a first small business; starting a home- <br />based or online business; and connecting with helpful local resources and organizations. For more <br />information, call the Eugene Public Library at 682-5450. <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 <br />February 7, 2008 <br />