MY BLOG: Dear Denise,

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Dear Denise,

I've been debating whether to post something tonight or not. Supposedly the anniversary is set for Saturday but we all know it was a Thursday night.

Please, just know, how very very much we miss you and love you. Please, just know that we're doing our best to get over the pain.

I don't know what that monster is thinking tonight. Does he even get it? It was just about this time a year ago that I was trying to settle Noah down for bed. We weren't sure where you were. We were still so hoping you were alive. My heart breaks just thinking about it.

But it's important for you to know that I'll never forget you and your bravery. I'll never forget your courage and your fight.

Your selflessness.

I'll never forget your soft voice and your smiles. Just about every memory I have of you, Denise, is of you smiling. Unless you were upset with Nate, it seemed as if you were always smiling. And most of the time even when you were upset with Nate you were still smiling!

I miss you, baby. Very Very much.

The babies are good. Noah is having a few issues but it could just be we're becoming more serious with the potty training! I know he misses you and thinks of you. I think the potty training reminds him of you.

Anyhow, sweetheart, I love you.

You were the best daughter-in-law ever. Or, at least, you aspired to be.

You were really quiet. You didn't know it, but we were going to work on that.

j/k

With love,

Mom

added edit: oh, sweetie! This is important. The other day, your picture popped up on the computer screen while I was showing someone an on-line tribute to you. Adam, who had been playing with his truck immediately jumped up and said very loudly "Mommy! Mommy!"

So, sweetheart, even Adam is remembering! I can't tell you, how that thrilled me. I didn't know! Nathan is doing (we all are) all we can to keep your memory alive, Denise! You were and still are that special.

Pretty soon, I'm gonna get back to the 9-1-1 issues. But right now, I want to remember you. I love you.

Attn: Cell Phone Users

I'm adapting this from a pamphlet Mark picked up from the California NENA conference out in San Diego.

When Dialing 9-1-1 From Your Cell Phone

1. Call only for immediate emergency assistance - medical, fire, or police.

2. Be prepared to provide your location and any essential information the dispatcher may need.

3. Stay on the line until told to hang up. You may be transferred to another agency.

added edit

Cell phones cannot "text" 9-1-1. During the Virginia Tech massacre, many students tried texting 9-1-1 because they were afraid the killer would hear them.

Do not assume 9-1-1 can find you when using a cell phone. Cell phone signals go to the nearest "available" tower.

IMO, always call 9-1-1 in an emergency unless you are sure others have already called.

And, IMO, if you are distraught, if possible have a neighbor or other family member call 9-1-1 for you. They will most likely be able to listen and give clearer instructions.

Help Reduce Unnecessary Calls

Use non-emergency numbers for your local law enforcement agency when you do not need immediate assistance.

If medical, fire or police are already on scene, it is not necessary to call 9-1-1 again. Instead, call a non-emergency number if you have additional information and witnessed the incident.

Do not call 9-1-1 for non-emergecy incidents (i.e., requesting road conditions, asking why traffic is backed up, requesting driving directions, or other similar reasons). Be prepared; contact your local FHP (Florida Highway Patrol) office directly, using a non-emergency number.

Use or maintain a landline at home and at work for 9-1-1 calls, as the dispatcher is more likely to get accurate location information from a landline.

Using 9-1-1 in non-emergency situations prevents critical emergencies from being attended to.

DID YOU KNOW?

Almost everyone in the U.S. owns a cell phone and some households do not use a landline at all. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of wireless 9-1-1 calls are made daily nationwide.

Far too many cellular 9-1-1 phone calls, both non-emergency and repeat calls for the same incident, are tying up the 9-1-1 phone system. This results in unnecessary busy signals, disconnects, and delays in dispatch time for ture 9-1-1 emergency calls.

Not every 9-1-1 call is answered by your local law enforcement agency. Cell phone providers try to calculate you approximate location using cell towers or satellite positioning. If they cannot, the call will likely default to the Florida Highway Patrol and then be transferred to the appropriate agency. This means that non-emergency or repeat calls are wasting critical minutes or dispatchers' time.

If you call 9-1-1 from you cell phone or an inactive phone, your phone number and location information may not be available to the dispatcher. Know your surroundings (street address, landmarks, mileposts) when calling 9-1-1. This will save valuable seconds in an emergency.

Avoid accidental 9-1-1 calls

Accidental cell phone calls can congest the 9-1-1 phone system. Accidental calls occur when the phone is placed in a pocket, belt clip, or purse, and a pre-programmed emergency button is bumped. Even a locked phone can dial 9-1-1.

Help Avoid Accidental Calls With the Following Tips

Do not hang up on an accidental 9-1-1 call. Inform the dispatcher that the call was an accident before you hang up.

Do not pre-program 9-1-1 into your or your child's cell phone's speed dial. This can lead to accidental calls.

Teach your child how and when to dial 9-1-1 from a cell phone. Train them to press 9-1-1 and the "send" button only in an emergency.

Even cell phones without active service can dial 9-1-1. Take batteries out of cell phones before recycling them or giving them to a child to play with.

Don't call 9-1-1 to check to see if you cell phone works. 9-1-1 is to be used for emergency calls only.

MY BLOG

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Dear Denise,

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Attn: Cell Phone Users