Operation 7: Save a Life

  Eyewitness News

NEW YORK -- Our region suffered from devastating losses when Hurricane Sandy arrived on our shores, creating the biggest natural disaster that this area has ever seen. We are still recovering from the destruction and thousands are still dealing with loss of homes and loss of life.

The 15th annual presentation of the Emmy-award winning program, "Operation 7: Save a Life" hosted by Eyewitness News anchor Bill Ritter brings you life saving information about what families can do to in emergency situations. Whether it is dealing with the loss of utilities, or predicting what you might need to take with you in these moments of crisis, the program addresses the things you should plan for. Simple items like generators have been flying off the shelves, but they can be dangerous. We'll hear how to use them properly and what can happen if things go wrong. We also feature what the American Red Cross suggests you have in your "Go Bag" kit.

First responders always take the brunt in these situations and the New York City Fire Department continues to emphasize education and prevention as paramount objectives. Whether it is the teaching of CPR in our communities, or a reunion between CPR recipients and those who saved their lives, the emphasis is on learning how to deal with emergencies.

Part of the reason that New York City continues to have a comparatively low number of fire deaths is because of research they conduct with live fire drills that test the conditions in which fire fighters find themselves. We profile a new initiative, the FDNY's Diamond Plate program which is an up to date communication system and a great training tool that reaches into every firehouse. Having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is key to public safety, and firefighter Darius Dorsett who made the cover for this year's FDNY calendar, will remind us of this.

The program also visits the number one burn center in the country, the burn center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. We meet parents who are being helped with new approaches to the rehab of child burn victims thus speeding up their recovery. The program also tells you what you should do in case you're having a stroke!

You can catch the special again at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 27th or watch it on 7online here on this page!

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