Lifesaving Equipment Installed in City of SLO
French Hospital Medical Center has launched a vital new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program, significantly enhancing sudden cardiac arrest preparedness throughout the City of San Luis Obispo.
“With heart disease being the leading cause of death in California, and over 80% of cardiac arrests occurring outside of a hospital, immediate access to an AED can be the difference between life and death,” said FHMC’s Joe Baily. “Survival rates decrease by 7-10% for every minute defibrillation is delayed. This new program aims to bridge that critical time gap for residents.”
The French Hospital AED Program, launching in February to coincide with American Heart Month, will provide qualifying organizations with an AED unit, a wall-mounted cabinet, accessories, and essential online training for staff, all at no cost. The program prioritizes businesses and groups that:
• Are located in San Luis Obispo.
• Have over 100 employees or have meeting spaces with a capacity of more than 100 people.
• Currently lack an AED on their premises.
This new initiative was made possible by a $28,000 grant from The Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust. This contribution will fund the purchase and strategic distribution of 20 AEDs to high-occupancy businesses and public meeting spaces across San Luis Obispo.
“We believe this program will improve our community’s ability to respond to medical emergencies and save lives,” Baily said.
Addis Bill to Close Food Chemical Safety Loopholes
Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) introduced Assembly Bill 2034 (AB 2034) to close federal loopholes that allow companies to label certain additives as “generally recognized safe” (GRAS) without clear oversight or public disclosure.
“Healthy foods are essential to a healthy life, and Californians deserve clear, honest information about what they’re putting in their bodies,” said Addis. “For far too long, companies have exploited vague labeling and federal loopholes to conceal dangerous chemicals in the foods that families trust. AB 2034 will close those loopholes and strengthen transparency. No one should have to guess what’s in their food or worry that they’re unknowingly exposing themselves or their children to harmful chemicals simply by sitting down to eat.”
Sponsored by the Center for Science in Public Interest, AB 2034 would grant California health officials the authority to independently review potentially harmful food chemicals and would require companies to disclose ingredients often hidden behind vague terms such as “artificial flavors,” “natural flavors,” “spices,” or “artificial colors.” Those disclosures would be filed in a publicly accessible database managed by the California Department of Public Health.
“Consumers deserve to know what’s being added to their foods and to have confidence that those chemicals are truly safe,” said Thomas Galligan, Principal Scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “For too long, the FDA has let Californians down, and AB 2034 will rectify that.”
AB 2034 now awaits referral to committee.
Los Osos Spring Clean Up week March 2 – 6.
Mission County Disposal customers in Los Osos can put extra trash out for free pick up with some “bulky” items requiring special notifications March 2 – 6.
Residents can set out up to six bags of trash (32-gallon capacity each), with a maximum weight of 25 pounds and length of 4 feet per bag for no additional cost.
If you have bulky/large items, you can schedule a special pick-up at a discounted rate during Clean-Up Week.
For discounted bulky items, customers must call at least three days prior to your collection day to schedule 805-543-0875.
For more information, go to sanluisgarbage.com/residential
Mission County reminds folks that there are local resources for reducing and reusing items other than a landfill. Have larger items that are still in decent shape? Try Habitat for Humanity, they might even pick up certain things. Got e-waste? Perhaps iFixit can get you the hard-to-find parts, and share the know-how, to get it done. Otherwise, most e-waste is accepted free of charge at our Cold Canyon Landfill, and some local retailers.
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