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YEARS OF SERVICE
ROTARY CLUB OFTuesdays, 12:00 pm |
January 27, 2026 Meeting RecapThe brutal cold outside did not dampen the warmth inside Brimstone as we gathered for our January 27th meeting. In fact, most members seemed happy to be gathering together after a couple of forced days at home due to icy conditions! Richard Matherly led us in Happy Dollars. Here are some of the highlights:
Today's Happy Dollars were donated to the Milton First Responder's Foundation. Our guests today included Jason Lanyon from Wellstar North Fulton Hospital and recently-retired Andy Wheeler, formerly of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. Both Andy and Jason played critical and supportive roles in our ability to train 1000 residents in CPR/AED use! New Member Induction: Welcome, Jim Murphy! It is always exciting to add a new member to the club and today was no different. We are pleased to have Jim Murphy as the newest member of our club and look forward to getting to know him better as we serve the community together. Jim is sponsored by Marc Gelber and Jeffrey Esterkes.
Today's Program: Milton Fire Rescue Department (MFR): Putting Community First Our guest speakers this week were MFR Fire Chief Gabe Benmoussa and MFR Chief Medical Officer Mark Haskins. Founded in 2007, the City of Milton is guided by a clear mission through its Fire Rescue Department: "to put our community first for a stronger and safer tomorrow." That commitment was evident throughout an informative and engaging discussion. Member Steve Cory led a panel-style conversation with our guests, offering valuable insight into the scope and evolution of MFR's work. Of the approximately 3,000 calls handled annually by the department, nearly 50% are medical-related. For this reason, the City of Milton requires all MFR members to hold at least an EMT (emergency medical technician) certification, with many achieving advanced credentials such as Advanced EMT or Paramedic. Every MFR vehicle is equipped to function as an ambulance, ensuring rapid, high-quality care when seconds matter most. In 2022, the department further strengthened its emergency response by equipping all vehicles with AutoPulse - a portable, battery-operated mechanical device that delivers consistent, high-quality chest compressions to cardiac arrest patients. The impact has been remarkable. While the national average survival rate for cardiac arrest is 9%, Milton increased its success rate to 13% in 2023 and an impressive 33% in 2024, largely due to the implementation of AutoPulse. Staying at the forefront of community-centered care, MFR also launched CARES (Community Advocate Referral Education Services), a community paramedic outreach program. Milton Fire CARES is a mobile integrated health initiative designed to bridge the gap between emergency response and everyday healthcare needs. By focusing on proactive, supportive care, the program has delivered measurable results - reducing 911 usage among participating community members by 66% over just two years. Looking ahead, Milton is joining with Roswell and Alpharetta in an effort to become a "4-Minute City". This initiative reimagines cardiac arrest response by strategically placing AEDs in the hands of trained volunteers, law enforcement officers, and local businesses. With nearly 80% of cardiac arrests occurring in homes and survivability decreasing by 10% with every minute of delay, rapid access to AEDs is critical. Reaching a patient within four minutes can dramatically improve survival outcomes. We are truly fortunate to live in a community that prioritizes public safety and well-being. Special thanks to Steve Cory for arranging this outstanding program and for expertly leading the panel discussion.
Polar Plunge FundraiserOn Saturday, February 7th, both Richard and Rick will be taking the plunge - literally - into the icy waters of Wills Park Pool to help raise money for our club. While our quarterly dues primarily cover Rotary International and District dues, as well as our lunches, additional fundraising is essential to support the community service projects we proudly undertake. The Polar Plunge, hosted by Alpharetta Rotary, is one of the simplest and most cost effective ways for us to raise these much-needed funds. It requires no extensive planning, countless volunteer hours, or uncertainty about whether an event will be profitable. If each member reaches out to friends and family and invites them to support the good work we do in our community, we can not only meet our goal of $10,000, but easily surpass it. Please help us spread the word and make this fundraiser a success! Many thanks to Kathleen Peneguy for providing the graphic services for their fundraising flyers!
Membership MinuteSubmitted by Jeffrey Esterkes, Membership Chair Rotary is built on relationships. This month, strengthen bonds by sharing a meal, a laugh, or a project with a fellow Rotarian - and invite a friend to experience it too.
Member Satisfaction SurveyIf you haven't already, please take a few minutes to complete the Member Satisfaction Survey before Friday, February 13th: Link: Member Survey This is a great opportunity to provide feedback related to our club so that action can be taken to make sure our club is even better in the future. Your responses are confidential and will only be used to enhance the club experience for both current and prospective members. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to President Elect Dan Jenkins. |
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