Warwick Night Out: Many Kinds of Care and 2000 People
Many first responders and other community service providers showed up with information, dogs and kids.
A variety of first responders and other community service providers greeted and offered food, music and information to 2000 people who showed up for Warwick’s National Night Out at Veterans Memorial Park on August 1. Warwick Valley Police Department and Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition organized the event, and music by the Black Dirt Bandits perked up people large and small, inspiring little ones to jump around on the lawn.
Children also checked out ambulances, fire engines, school buses and equipment. Showing off the Lucas machine was Joie Ogrodnick, a nurse practitioner and Warwick Volunteer Ambulance compliance officer. The Lucas saves the lives of both patients and practitioners, she said.
“It takes over cardiopulmonary resuscitation to get deep pressure on the heart. Practitioners can only maintain CPR for two minutes. That’s not long enough. They get tired quick,” said Ogrodnick. “You can have it on the patient while going down steps to the ambulance or hospital.”
The Lucas can be used for hours, she said, noting that Warwick Volunteeer Ambulance now has five of them, at $15,000 each, and they save EMS workers as well as their patients.
“Statistically, what EMS workers die from is heart attacks, usually after doing CPR,” Ogrodnick said.
But having equipment that eases the stress on EMS workers is not enough. More EMS volunteers are needed.
“Like today,” she said. “We had two calls back to back. For each, we need an EMT, a driver and an assistant. Today we only had a driver. Greenwood Lake sent a crew. Twenty minutes later we had a second call. Then we had an EMT and driver. We’re blessed to have good relationships with the police and fire departments. They’re all trained in CPR and first aid.”
As she noted the people who move to Warwick from New York City and expect prompt 911 responses, a small boy approached, and Ogrodnick quizzed him about emergencies.
“What’s most important to know?”
“ 911.”
“Second?”
“Your address.”
Not far away stood a group from Warwick Fire Department chatting, as well as Fire Chief Michael Contaxis, who also frequently voices the need for volunteers.
As for what the fire department is encountering this week, he said, in addition to a car accident, “Burning brush and trees, as people clear farmland. With permits.”
Across the lawn stood Suzyn Barron, president of Warwick Humane Society and Rich Carbone, board of directors member, with Gracie, a Saint Bernard mix, who had arrived at the shelter near starvation and injured.
“The vet said she probably wouldn’t pull through,” said Carbone. But Barron persisted with Gracie, who, in the process, had to give up a leg and part of her tail.
Nevertheless, she was adopted in 2021 and in the park, she jumped on this reporter so enthusiastically that the lack of a leg went unnoticed at first.
Meanwhile, adoptions happen frequently at the shelter, but several occupants have lingered, Barron said. Ruby the cat was left by someone who lost interest in her. A cat named Pierogi’s person had died. Sarah, a soulful-looking young boxer mix, had arrived with a broken leg that her person said they couldn’t afford to address. Now she has healed. Bonded and litter trained rabbits Chase and Zumo were found abandoned in woods a year ago.
Not far away, Matt Iodice, a sheriff’s deputy, hung out with his eight-week old German shepherd puppy Hudson, brought along for some socialization.
Meanwhile, Warwick police officer Derek Kerstner stood with his K-9, Fritz. Asked what the dog was thinking, Kerstner said, “He’ll bite someone if they keep coming near me. He’s protective.”
Elsewhere, Judy Battista said she got goosebumps when Village of Woodbury Mayor Andrew Giacomazza called her about bringing the Warwick Cares initiative to Woodbury and making it Woodbury Cares. Healing conversations coordinator with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Hudson Valley and Westchester, Battista, along with children, teen and adult cohorts, had made and distributed reassuring signs around Warwick, intended to help alleviate distress and despair. They range from “You are loved” to “Sometimes your rock bottom is your trampoline.” Signs also provide the 988 number to call for mental health help.
“I told the mayor, ‘Get the community involved,’” Battista Each community needs to connect with people in the community. Two other towns are interested. I went to Woodbury and shared Warwick practices. They can make it their own.”
“If these signs had been out 15 years ago, maybe my son would still be alive,” said Battista, who had learned of a woman deterred from suicide by one of the signs. She noted that suicide deaths in the United States increased by 4.79% from 45,979 to 48,183 between 2020 and 2021, 14.1 per 100,000 people.
“I have three goals,” said Battista. “Signs. Messages of hope. And training,” meaning mental health first aid and suicide prevention training that includes identifying clues of suicidality.
With Battista and also celebrating a leap forward was Rosanne Esposito, Washingtonville special education teacher. She had just completed her doctorate in education work at Marymount College and noted the shift in education culture.
“We all learn differently,” she said. She’s strategizing to implement that realization. As she spoke, she noticed a helicopter taking off from the park, as Night Out concluded.
Community focused news can only succeed with community support. Please consider the various subscription levels.