Volume 3 Issue 8: August 2019
Willard Fire News |
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Hoarding: A Risk for Occupants and First Responders
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If you have ever watched the show Hoarders, you have seen the destruction this disorder can have on an occupant, a family, and the house. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), hoarding is a mental disorder that can be genetic in nature, triggered by traumatic events, or a symptom of another disorder, such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, or dementia. Studies have found that hoarding usually begins in early adolescence and gets worse as a person ages. It is more common among older adults.
Hoarding is usually embarrassing for the occupant and/or family and carries such a weight; the hoarder has no ability, energy or desire to change their situation. That decision can put them at risk and also first responders. Hoarding can be a fire hazard. Blocked exits can prevent escaping from homes and injuries can be sustained by tripping over mounds of materials. Some occupants are even injured by falling materials. Fuel load is a factor for fire hazard also. The more fuel to burn, the hotter the fire. This can affect adjacent properties due to smoke and excessive heat. Collapse of the structure may happen when excessive material and water cause weight to the structure. All of this also affects the response of fire and medical personnel. Dangerous conditions abound in a hoarding house and can cause delay of medical care, or worse, death to an occupant not being reached in time or injury to a first responder trying to find and/or treat the occupant. If you are aware of a hoarding home in our community, please contact us at 685-3114 or info@willardfire.com to report the home, for their safety and ours. If you know the hoarder, here are some ways to approach the subject: 1. Be respectful and show concern for the person’s safety. 2. Match the language of the person. If the person talks about his “collection” or her “things”, use that language. Avoid using derogatory terms, such as “junk”, “trash”, or “hoarding”. 3. Focus on safety issues, such as fires, fall hazards, and avalanche conditions. Note possible ignition sources or trip hazards and try to build support for addressing these issues instead of insisting on an immediate and overwhelming cleanup. |
4. Show empathy by indicating that while you understand that your presence is upsetting for the person, some kind of change is necessary. (NFPA)
Remember hoarders cannot change things overnight and may require counseling to help with this disorder. Compassion is the key but firmness in regards to safety may be the key to making that first step. |
We hope this information is helpful to you. If you have questions or would like further information, please contact us at 417-685-3114 or info@willardfire.com. You can visit our website www.willardfire.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Willard Parks News
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Aquatic Center
The Willard Aquatic Center has had a great year thanks to our wonderful little community! We will be celebrating this with a couple super fun events to close out the pool season. Be sure to be at the pool for the Back 2 School Splash Bash and Movie Night in August and the Annual Doggy Dive in September! Watch for details and join the events on Facebook! Community Involvement Opportunities We are looking for dog-related vendors to participate in our Doggy Dive! If you think your business might fit in or would like to sponsor, please contact our marketing department for registration at 417-742-5385 or apply at willardparks.com. We love showing off our sponsors and vendors! Kid-Venture Camp Kid-Venture Camp will be coming to a close on August 14th. We will be celebrating by throwing “Party in the Park” for our campers, so be sure your kid is in attendance on that day! We will be having School’s Out Camp days throughout the school year when Willard Public Schools are not in session, so be sure to watch for registration dates! |
Sports
Registration for the Fall Session of Soccer and Volleyball are open and will close on August 23rd. Soccer games will begin September 14th, and Volleyball games will start on September 10th. Register online at willardparks.com! Schedule of Events Aug 1 – Doggy Dive registration is open on willardparks.com Aug 10 – WAC Back 2 School Splash Bash Aug 10 – WAC Movie Night featuring “Hook”, sponsored by Glenn’s Auto Aug 10 – Greystone Disc Golf Tournament @ Miller Farm Park Aug 14 – Last day of Kid-Venture Camp / Camper’s Party in the Park Aug 23 – Back 2 School Glow Dance (grades 5-8) Aug 23 – Soccer/Volleyball Registration Deadline Sept 7 – WAC Annual Doggy Dive |
Chief McClain Voted One of 2019
Men of The Year
Chief, Tom McClain has been named as one of “Springfield Business Journal’s 2019 Men of the Year”. An independent panel of judges has chosen the ninth-annual class of Springfield Business Journal’s Men of the Year. The 20 men will be honored at an August luncheon.
The award recognizes the professional, philanthropic and civic contributions of men from across southwest Missouri.
Throughout his career, McClain has overseen multiple programs in Willard emphasizing youth out-reach, including DARE, Safety Town and Project Graduation.
The Willard Police Department’s mission statement is the acronym HELP NOW, which stands for Helping people, Enforcing the law, Leading by example, Preventing crime, Needs-based service, Others oriented and serving Willard wide.
“I’ve set standards of expectation that we all come to work with an attitude of gratitude and a willingness to work hard at our mission with results in mind,” McClain says. “our purpose is not only public safety but the strengthening of our community and the individuals within it.”
We are so proud of you Chief McClain. Congratulations!
The award recognizes the professional, philanthropic and civic contributions of men from across southwest Missouri.
Throughout his career, McClain has overseen multiple programs in Willard emphasizing youth out-reach, including DARE, Safety Town and Project Graduation.
The Willard Police Department’s mission statement is the acronym HELP NOW, which stands for Helping people, Enforcing the law, Leading by example, Preventing crime, Needs-based service, Others oriented and serving Willard wide.
“I’ve set standards of expectation that we all come to work with an attitude of gratitude and a willingness to work hard at our mission with results in mind,” McClain says. “our purpose is not only public safety but the strengthening of our community and the individuals within it.”
We are so proud of you Chief McClain. Congratulations!
Miller Farm Park Sunflower Field
If you are looking for great photo ops and lots of family friendly fun, look no further. Miller Farm Park is proud to present their sunflower field. This year you can see the beautiful sunflower field on the corner of Hunt Road and Farm road 94.
This breathtakingly beautiful field is filled with 5 to 6-foot tall, scratchy stalks. It’s becoming a popular place to capture proposals, senior portraits, birthdays and babies. Professional photographers and amateurs are all welcome to do photo shoots in the field. Don’t forget to use #WeAreWillard.
This breathtakingly beautiful field is filled with 5 to 6-foot tall, scratchy stalks. It’s becoming a popular place to capture proposals, senior portraits, birthdays and babies. Professional photographers and amateurs are all welcome to do photo shoots in the field. Don’t forget to use #WeAreWillard.
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Willard School News
First Day of School August 15
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How did summer fly by so quickly? #Willard1stDay will be here before we know it! Make sure you’re following along on Facebook.com/WillardMOSchools for the 10 things you need to know before #Willard1stDay starting August 5th. Visit www.willardschools.net often for announcements, news, and more. School supply lists are currently available at www.willardschools.net/schoolsupplies or on the Willard Schools Mobile App!
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Thank You Staff
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Although our students may not be with us all summer, many of our staff are working tirelessly to prepare for the new school year! A special thank you to our year round crew: Maintenance, Custodial, Grounds, and Administrative Team, as well as the hundreds of educators that took time from their “break” to do some serious learning of their own! Over the summer we also welcomed more than 45 new teachers to our Willard Family! We’re looking forward to a fantastic year in 2019-2020! See you on August 15th, #Willard1stDay!
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Protect Kids Traveling To And From School
It’s time to kick off another exciting, fun-filled school year. It also time to remind your children how to get to and from school safely. Safety must be the first lesson of every new school year.
Walking
Walking to school is great exercise and gets kids ready to face their studies. Children under 10 years old should be accompanied by an adult or someone who will make sure they walk safely. Teach your child to always
· Use the sidewalk whenever possible, and if there isn’t a sidewalk, walk on the edge of the street facing traffic.
· Focus when walking near traffic – this is no time for horseplay.
· Use crosswalks whenever they are available to cross the street.
· Look left-right-left before crossing any street.
Riding The School Bus
School buses are the safest way for children to travel to and from school. However, there are dangers when children are boarding and leaving the bus. Over the last decade, nearly two-thirds of school-age pedestrians fatally injured in school transportation-related crashes were struck by school buses or other vehicles when getting on or off a school bus. Teach your child to always play it SAFE:
· Stay five steps away from the curb.
· Always wait for the bus driver to tell you when to board.
· Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.
· Exit the bus when it stops, look left-right-left, and take five steps away from the bus toward the curb.
Biking
Kids love riding their bikes and it can be a fun, quick way to get to school. Be sure to do these simple things to keep your bike ride safe:
· Always wear a properly fitted helmet and securely fasten the chin strap.
· Ride in the same direction as traffic and follow traffic signs and signals.
· Stay in the bike lane whenever possible.
· Use the sidewalk appropriately and keep an eye out for other pedestrians.
· Never use electronics while riding – they are distracting.
Whether you’re talking about school subjects and new teachers or shopping for supplies, make safety a central part of your back-to-school conversation with your child. With the start of every new school year, remember that the conversation about safety never gets old.
Walking
Walking to school is great exercise and gets kids ready to face their studies. Children under 10 years old should be accompanied by an adult or someone who will make sure they walk safely. Teach your child to always
· Use the sidewalk whenever possible, and if there isn’t a sidewalk, walk on the edge of the street facing traffic.
· Focus when walking near traffic – this is no time for horseplay.
· Use crosswalks whenever they are available to cross the street.
· Look left-right-left before crossing any street.
Riding The School Bus
School buses are the safest way for children to travel to and from school. However, there are dangers when children are boarding and leaving the bus. Over the last decade, nearly two-thirds of school-age pedestrians fatally injured in school transportation-related crashes were struck by school buses or other vehicles when getting on or off a school bus. Teach your child to always play it SAFE:
· Stay five steps away from the curb.
· Always wait for the bus driver to tell you when to board.
· Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.
· Exit the bus when it stops, look left-right-left, and take five steps away from the bus toward the curb.
Biking
Kids love riding their bikes and it can be a fun, quick way to get to school. Be sure to do these simple things to keep your bike ride safe:
· Always wear a properly fitted helmet and securely fasten the chin strap.
· Ride in the same direction as traffic and follow traffic signs and signals.
· Stay in the bike lane whenever possible.
· Use the sidewalk appropriately and keep an eye out for other pedestrians.
· Never use electronics while riding – they are distracting.
Whether you’re talking about school subjects and new teachers or shopping for supplies, make safety a central part of your back-to-school conversation with your child. With the start of every new school year, remember that the conversation about safety never gets old.
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Contacts
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Meeting Dates
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Mayor
Corey Hendrickson…………….…..............417-234-4713 Board of Aldermen Clint McEntire……………..........................417-631-1599 Donna Stewart………...........……..….........417-493-9894 Sam Baird…..………….……………..…......417-844-0636 Samuel Snider……….…....……….….........417-839-9444 Jon Jones..................................................417-224-2805 Larry Whitman………..……………........….417-343-0994 City Administrator Bradley Gray…...…………...…....417-742-3033 ext 5304 City Clerk Jennifer Rowe.…..……..…....…..417-742-3033 ext 5302 Chief of Police Tom McClain ……………...….….417-742-3033 ext 5341 www.cityofwillard.org |
Board of Aldermen August 12 & 26..................…..……................…. 7:00 pm Planning and Zoning August 27..............……………...…..….......…......7:00 pm Park Board August 28.................….…..........….......…...…….7:00 pm Economic Development August 19..…...……...……........................….…..7:00 pm |