Tulsa to Thailand

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Michelle Allen | June 17, 2013

Tulsa is the second-largest city in Oklahoma, with a population of 392,000 and a metro population of 1 million. The City of Tulsa has a strong-mayor form of government and employs close to 3,700 employees. Tulsa has a widely diversified business base, which includes nationally prominent companies in oil and natural gas, aviation and aerospace, telecommunications, data processing and manufacturing.

Tulsa is home to two world-renowned art museums, full-time professional opera and ballet companies and one of the largest concentrations of art-deco architecture in the United States. Tulsa also boasts one of the largest per capita charitable giving rates across the country and has over 125 parks and 180 miles of trails for Tulsans to enjoy. Enjoy This Is Tulsa! video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLOR-LZIvxc

The date to leave for Thailand is rapidly approaching and I can’t wait - thank you to ICMA and the U.S. State Department for this incredible opportunity!

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Zen and the Art of Travel

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Kate Porsche | June 17, 2013

A wise person once told me that the art of traveling lies in a willingness to be flexible. These words were told to me by my City Manager and mentor, Wes Hare, who has traveled extensively around the globe, both for pleasure and for work with ICMA. A couple of his more notable expeditions landed him in Iraq and Afghanistan. This, says the girl, who until two weeks ago didn’t have a passport. Oh, sure I’ve been to Mexico on my honeymoon, and Canada too (at a time when only a driver’s license was required); though my well-traveled friends shake their heads and look upon my pitifully, “Oh, hon, Canada doesn’t really count—it’s like a northern version of the US.”

I can’t lie, when the passport arrived I felt like I had truly ascended into adulthood—with the voice of Pinocchio in my mind I thought, “I’m a real adult now!” And, on that day I was finally able to check that box. No, literally, I make lists with little boxes that I check off when an item is complete, and this little box had been glaring at me for weeks. My husband, not a planner, thinks my checkboxes are the height of ridiculousness. I’ve tried to explain the fulfilling sensation when you mark the check in the box, knowing that item is done and no longer requires concern, but to no avail. OK, so we can all agree, I’m a bit of a planner.

This trip for ICMA, this opportunity to travel to a continent other than North America, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. Playing host, tour guide, and educator to Jennie and Stephanie, the Fellows that visited my community of Albany, Oregon, was a wonderful experience. And now the opportunity to visit their beautiful country of New Zealand—to see first-hand how their local governments operate—seems surreal.  

With four short weeks to go, I am armed with my passport, a list of boxes to check, as well as a new commitment to take a Zen-like approach to traveling—I vow to do the best I can in preparation, but then to let go, and simply enjoy how this amazing journey unfolds.

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Hello Thailand!

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Jon Peacock | June 10, 2013

Maroon Bells

Greetings from Pitkin County, Colorado!  By way of introduction, I am Jon Peacock, County Manager of Pitkin County.  I am so excited to visit Thailand and exchange ideas about how to make our local governments work better!

Pitkin County is one of approximately 3,300 counties in the United States.  Pitkin County is located in the State of Colorado, surrounded by the central peaks of the Rocky Mountains.  Pitkin County covers 975 square miles (1,569 km/sq.), and includes the municipalities of Aspen (the county seat), Snowmass Village (my home town), and Basalt.  The County has a year around population of around 17,000 people, but typically has about a million visitors a year.  Ninety percent of the County’s land is public, mostly national forest and wilderness areas. Best known for its four world class ski resorts, Pitkin County is also home to nationally and internationally known arts and cultural amenities (such as the Aspen Institute and Aspen Music Festival).

I would like to thank the US State Department, ICMA, and our hosts in Thailand in advance for the opportunity to participate in this program.  I can’t wait to get on the plane!

USA Pro-Challenge Bike Race in Aspen

Skiing in Pitkin County

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Introducing our U.S. Fellows Abroad July 2013

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Lauren Crawford | June 7, 2013

Congratulations to the U.S. Fellows Traveling to Thailand and New Zealand from July 13 - 27th, 2013.  The U.S. Fellows were each involved in hosting the inernational fellows who just completed their trip in mid-May! 

You can read a little bit about them and their motivation for wanting to participate in the reciprocal exachange.  You can look forward to hearing more about them in the coming weeks as they introduce us to who they are and talk about their community.

Name, Title,   Location	Picture	Placement	Personal Motivation
Katherine (Kate) Porsche, Economic Development   & Urban Renewal Director, City of Albany, Oregon		New Zealand	In my work as Economic Development Director I am always   looking for new and better ways to serve our customers—our businesses and our   citizens. The opportunity to travel to New Zealand and see the work of a   different country is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.  I am   motivated to learn more about civic and youth engagement, as well as to   understand how communities in New Zealand have worked to drive tourism,   create good jobs, and foster a livable community. My work in Albany includes   downtown revitalization and redevelopment, economic development, historic   preservation, as well as civic engagement and collaboration. Additionally, my   background in communications work means that I'm very keen to learn how   communities are working to better engage and communicate with their citizens,   interest groups and businesses.  I describe myself as a technically   inclined extrovert; I am a strong project manager, ombudsman, and champion of   complex projects. I have a diverse background with extensive experience in   communications, and working across disparate groups and organizations to gain   consensus, and would like to understand how communities in New Zealand are   implementing this work.
Jacob Speer, Assistant Director of Public Works,   City of University Park, Texas		New Zealand	I look forward to the opportunity to observe service   delivery and customer service methods in another country.  I hope to   identify methods and techniques that can be utilized to improve upon our   customer service functions at the City of University Park.  In general,   I would like to broaden my breadth of experiences to break the cycle of   "doing things the way we've always done them."
Michelle Allen, Sr. Marketing & Media Relations   Officer, City of Tulsa, Oklahoma		Thailand	I look forward to receiving a broader view of the world   from a public affairs and communications standpoint. I work with media   outlets every day and enjoy learning new things about government and how to   utilize new techniques and ideas to communicate and engage the public.
Jon Peacock, County Manager, Pitkin County,   Colorado		Thailand	I am passionate about the study and practice of good   governance.  Prior to working in local government, I taught political   science and public administration at the University of Wyoming, and currently   teach classes for the University of Colorado School of Public Affairs.    Structure maters.  How a society chooses to organize it’s institutions   of government has pros and cons for the delivery of services, and how   citizens and their government interact.  I look forward to the   opportunity to experience a different governance model through the ICMA   exchange program, and hope to learn lessons that will help me be a better   leader back home.

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Revitalizing Old Phuket town

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Tasanee Aikvanich | May 20, 2013

 

 

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Voice of Tulsa...

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Trinnawat Suwanprik | May 15, 2013

Hello, This is  voice of city of Tulsa by Jim  Twombly, city Manager.He talked about 2 fellows from International Fellows Exchange  Program by ICMA (Thailand and China). What are they doing in City of Tulsa sine April 19- May 5, 2013.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMD8w7CWpuo&feature=youtu.be

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Historical information - two approachs

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Sandy Graham | May 14, 2013

While at University Park, Dr Tasanee and I were able to visit the George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum. For me this turned out to be interesting in a way I hadn't anticipated. What I had expected to see was very different than the reality. I had naively expected the Museum to neutrally present artefacts and historical information about the Bush presidency. This is not the case. And, I know now, that all the presidential libraries in fact, provide an interpretative approach to the tenure of the office holder. So while I enjoyed the facility - it is beautiful and packed with interesting memorabilia - I really struggled with the interpretive nature of some of the exhibitions. One in particular stood out. There is a room where you can play a game "the Decision Points Game" - that lets you decide the outcome of certain key decisions from the Bush presidency. I found it extraordinary. The language used, the interpretation of events and then the way that rationale behind the decision was presented was unusual. The scenario I saw was around the decision to go to war in Iraq. Once you played the game, if you didn't decide to invade Iraq, you get President Bush explaining why the decision was the right one. Not historical George W Bush and the rationale from his term as president. Rather, a contemporary George W Bush still making the case for the invasion. I found it disturbing especially given the fact that the "museum" will be visited by school kids and the game played by many people.

But apparently this is the way with all the presidential museums. Calvin Coolidge was the last president to not have a building erected to house their presidential record. His is housed in a public library in Massachusetts. All the subsequent presidents have libraries/museums that edify their respective tenure in office.

Contrast this approach to that taken at the national Museum of American History in Washington DC. There, the terms of the various Presidents are represented neutrally in historical context. The artefacts and memorabilia, while not as extensive, are still amazing to view. The contrast was stark. And, as with many aspects of my time in the United States, I was left thinking about these differing approaches. While it has always been true that history is written by the victors, it seemed to me that in the case of the presidential libraries, a more neutral presentation of the information would have, in the long term, provided a more enduring legacy.

I know which approach I prefer.

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What’s next on citizens’ engagement in Thailand?

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Orathai Kokpol | May 12, 2013

After gaining knowledge and being inspired by various learning events, the central to my action plan are to develop a training curriculum and to do a (guide) book on Innovative Citizens’ Engagement. This book will include best practices of innovative citizens’ engagement.  I hope that this will be the useful way to share my experience to my local government fellows in Thailand. I also anticipate that this action will be a part to move forward for meaningful engagement of citizens in local government in Thailand. However, there are other factors contribute to meaningful citizens' engagement as well as so many unanswerable questions that need to be solved. In addition to guide books, I need to find out what can be  provided as incentive for loal government to engage citizens meaningfully and what can be incentives for citizens to participate in local government affairs. Ideas, Resources and information about best practices are welcome!

At ICMA office

As the final week of my fellowship program, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to several organizations and persons to make my trip not only possible but also memorable. The Department of the State and ICMA, especially Lauren Crawford, Lauren Oakley, Laura Hagg, Josephine Lee, for granting me the fellowship and organizing very informative and wonderful program including study tours, lectures, discussions and host communities. This has been the longest period for me to stay in US. and also the first trip to Basalt, Colorado.

Arlington county

I am so impressed with the warm hospitality and town’s spirit.  I have gained new knowledge and experience concerning citizens’ engagement and local governance system. Moreover, I am so inspired by energies, determination, and professionalism of so many distinguished persons I met during my fellowship such as Jacque Whitsitt (Mayor of Basalt), Mike Scanlon (Town manager of Basalt), Jon Peacock (Manager of Pitkin County) and Russ Forrest (Town Manager of Snowmass) and many more…Thank you so much!

Farewell Party at Basalt Mayor's House

Mike Scanlon and Jon Peacock

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Empowerment of Women

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Annah Davis | May 11, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Societies are more productive when women and men have equal work opportunities. Increasingly, I have seen women’s work opportunities and roles growing in my government career.  For example, at my fellowship placement in the Town of Basalt, Colorado, I had the pleasure to work with the female mayor, Jacque Whitsitt. I found her to be a very strong and effective leader.  This will serve the Town of Basalt well in the future, in addition to carrying the torch for gender equality.

On May the 9th, 2013, I participated in two workshops held by the Professional Fellows Congress.  The first, which I especially liked, was the Women and Leadership workshop and the speaker is Surry Scheerer.  In it, I learned about how women can develop their leadership skills.  A particularly interesting skill is the new concept of Personal Branding.  The idea here is to let people know what you stand for and who you are, and one of the key techniques to the successful personal branding campaign is “word-of-mouth marketing”.

The second workshop that I attended was the Trends in Journalism workshop and the speaker is Patrick Butler.  I learned about how the latest trends in digital journalism and social networks are transforming the media landscape, and how organizations can adjusts to the changes.

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Professional Fellows Congress 2013

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Trinnawat Suwanprik | May 11, 2013

Thai Fellows & Dr.Peter Simpson, World Learning at the Fellows Congress 2013.

I am attended spring 2013:Professional Fellows Congress at Renaissance ArlingtonCapital View Hotel,Virginia USA . It is held on May 8-11, 2013.They have 3 groups as media Fellows,Economic Empoerment Fellows and Legislative Process & Governace Fellows to attend a program.I am very appriciated to join this project as intelligent program.I met my new friend approximately 220 fellows from 44 countries.I thought, we are from different continent,different culture, different language, different food, different tradition and different thinking but we are have same thing is only one world.I belived that we are have one thing is community development for better quality of life.We are difference fuctional but we can push our society on the rightway. Because we are understanding each other and we are as a one of Jigsaw.I presented my poster as "Sustainable Urban Tourism thourgh low carbon initiatives:grren and decent job for local people in Chiang Mai" adopted from Suatainable Urban Toursim Thourgh Low carbon Initiatives :Experience From Hue and Chiang Mai.As the one thing from my inspiration, i would like to submit my project for Professional Exchange Alumni next year. However; currently as 2013, i am a member of Alumni project competition but the owner of this project in Malaysia.Please click out as-https://alumni.state.gov/node/2827

trinnawat Suwanprik

Presenter & Yomna from Egypt

Trinnawat Suwanprik

Presenter and Alfaro from Costa Rica

Trinnawat Suwanprik

Representives from Laos, Cambodia and Thailand

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City Developed for who

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Trinnawat Suwanprik | May 10, 2013

Trinnawat Suwanprik as speaker

When we came back from Community host in The United State;City of Tulsa ,Oklahoma.I am continual attended ICMA meeting for minute briefy.I talked about how to start the next step.It is very terrible to identify that what is our really challenge.Previously, we are studied and received an information from several researchs and documents.As you aware, Chiang Mai is Toursim city.We have 3-5 Milllions tourists visited our city / year.The consequenced were several wastes and emissions.The city is focus on sustainable development.It means" How to increase economic with create green and decent job for local people for low income group in communities while reduce GHGs emission from toursim sectors.We are review our mission.What we are doing? What is the community need?Who is get a benefit form city development.We want to make sure that we are walk on right way.Then,the city mayor had a new city's policy as Non-Motorized Transport(NMT) for Chiang Mai. We were created a new poject as "Sustainable Urban Transport Project in Chinag Mai".But a big challenge will come."Community Engagement".As this day, i am presented our idea; how to get hand from community.Perhaps, i would like to use a special technic as LFA for Monitoring, Measurement and Evaluation a project.Hopefully that it will actively.

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The Professional Fellows Congress in 2013

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Annah Davis | May 10, 2013

 

 

At the conclusion of the 2013 Spring Fellowship Program, 220 fellows from 44 countries traveled back from their placements states to Washington D.C. to participate in the 2013 Professional Fellows Congress.

On the evening of May 8, 2013, Ms. Carol Herrera, of the Professional Fellows Division, presented an overview of the Professional Fellows Program. She explained the following.  In general, the purpose of the program is to enable the United States government to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange.  This understanding and exchange will assist in the development of peaceful relations.  The areas of focus for the fellows are categorized as follows: legislative process & governance, economic empowerment, and media.  The percentage of the fellows in each these categories are respectively 54%, 35%, and 11%.  The gender of the fellows breaks down with 53% being female and 47% male, while most fellows are in their 20’s and 30’s.

And at the end of the night, we participated in an icebreaker activity, called the Networking Bingo game.  During the game, I met Shailey Hingorani from India and who is the winner of the Professional Fellows Distinguished Alumni Award. This award is given based on the success of putting into practice the ideas gained through the program. Shailey has inspired me to make a positive impact on the Sadao Community Challenge project when I go back home to Thailand.

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Is it possible to establish First Local Corporation in Thailand?

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Tasanee Aikvanich | May 8, 2013

May 6,2013 @ICMA office in Washington DC, I present my action plan about the  Establishment of  the "Local Corporation"(we call :Sa-ha-karn in Thai)for Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) in PHUKET, THAILAND, it will also be the fist Local Corporation (LC)in Thailand if this do exist,since LC is allow by law,but so far ,no detail rules and regulation about this yet.At first, I use the word Union for LC, and my New Zealand friend in my class kindly tell me that, if I use "Union",it got other meaning, not really as what I want to express,I then discuss with my Thai friend ,then LC is probably the proper term to use instead, since in LC,each partner

action plan presentation @ICMA

in my case , ISWM in Phuket, are 19 local governments will share the budget ,sign the agreement, hire the professional to operate and do the management, share all the risks and benefits.Therefore, before we can move forwards, feasibility study perhapseis  the next step to be done.

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Refection on learning from the town of Basalt: citizens’ engagement

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Orathai Kokpol | May 8, 2013

After spending two weeks discussing, observing and participating in various events of citizens’ engagement at the town of basalt and other towns and counties in Aspen Valley, I have learned some new insights and experiences.

First, multiple techniques should be applied: Given a very small community, the town has employed various techniques to get citizens’ inputs and involvement in the town management. This has included interviews various stakeholders, public comments at council meetings, focus groups, open houses and a website. The important thing is to know your residents before determining the techniques of engagement.

focus group on Park and Trails Master Plan at Basalt

Second, trial and error: Citizens’ engagement has its principle but the effectiveness of the practice is very much an art. Do it, and then learn more!

Third, new perspective on open houses and citizens’ advisory groups: I have not seen both techniques applied much in Thailand. Open house is advantage on allowing participants writing down comments freely and no constraints as seen in public meetings. The methods of Pitkin County in organizing citizens’ advisory boards and commission are interesting especially in terms of describing the purpose, responsibilities and the boards and commissions terms. It is interesting to learn that the post in the boards and committee can be applied and applications are available in form and online.    

Public comment in Open House on Park and Trails Master Plan

Forth, using informal and more action-oriented techniques:  Basalt shows me various informal and action-oriented methods such as mayor’s cabinet, electronic waste and cleaning up rivers. 

Residents's participation in Cleaning Rivers in Basalt

free pancake and sausage sponsored by Lion club at E-waste in Basalt

Take old drug back event at Basalt

community garden at Basalt

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citizen engagement in City of University Park, Dallus,Texas

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Tasanee Aikvanich | May 7, 2013

UP Executive meeting

During 2weeks experience in  City of University Park(UP) ,I  have a good opportunity to attend 2UP- executive meeings and   3 events of citizen engagement in UP, namely:

1.The Finance Advisory Committee-to discuss about frequent questions and answers since UP plan to inform public to increase the water rate.

2.The Youth Advisory Committee(YAC)- to review and ask for the suggestion from the Youth as well as ask for the volunteer to attend in UP special event :Movie in the Garden on may4,2013, I cann observe the great way to appoach the Youth group.

3.The Safety Advisory Committee-to review and ask for the suggestion about safety issues .

Besides, I also attend  one City managers meetings,of which I can  learn the format ,how to elaborate for the best prastise sharing among the City managers in Texas.These are really wonderful experience.Thanks all to give me this great opportunity to learn......

City managers meeting and exchange best practise

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Tulsa look forward to leader !

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Trinnawat Suwanprik | May 5, 2013

City of Tulsa,Oklahoma; USA

Briefly, City of Tulsa is look forward to be a leader for liveable & greenery city , sustainable city, business & tourism city in this region of the United State.However, Tulsa has strength base on City vision or City Policy, City master plan,Economic,Good government and partners, Infrastrcture, Technology & Aviation, Education & Cultural, Medication,Environment & Energy and Community Participations.Almost, Tulsa will growth very fast in next future.Tulsa has a special area as city of downtown.They will revitalize that to make City Blosom.Anyway,2 weeks in Tulsa, it very fast for me and my mate.i am learnt many thing from them and hopefully that i will come back again very shortly.Finally, i would like to invite you to Amazing city: Tulsa, Oklahoma State.

Trinnawat  suwanprik;

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Say Bye to Tulsa is not easy

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Yunfeng Deng | May 3, 2013

Today is the last working day for us staying Tulsa. Tomorrow is free and On sunday moring we will be back to DC again.

When we first arrived here two weeks ago, We were really worrying about how to spend these long time. But now we will leave here soon. Why the time passed so fast? In some sense we really  miss  Tulsa and not easy to say bye to it. 15 days and nights here, we make with more friends here. Jim, Sally, Kim, Keri, David, Prof.Randle, Liz, George,Nancy,  Eric, Susan, etc. more and more friends here. We will miss you when we back home. Tulsa's beautiful scenery, art tek, blossom flowers,museum, different art shops, grand art centre, all kinds of restaurents, helicopter inspecting, trash day, police day, meeting with university professors, city managers meeting, visit Dallas, Visit Oklahoma  and Norman,etc. All these leave us more deep impression. But now we will leave here, this means we could only meet all over these in dream. How can we not missing?

This moring, David, Tan and I, we three joined together to discuss the project what we have done about communication department survey detaily . And we finished the presentation about the project. This afternoon we gave the report to Jim, Kim and her colleagues  of Communication Department. One hour passed and our exchange programme is closing to the end.

Tulsa, a kind, friend, calm and livable city, will be better tomorrow.

 

 

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Kids' Engagement at Basalt

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Orathai Kokpol | May 3, 2013

One aspect of Basalt management that impresses me is the way Town of Basalt get children involved in public issues and nurture public spirit.  

Mayor of Basalt, Jacque Whitsitt, in front of Kids' parade

 

Kids save the earth

On the first visit to Town hall, Annah and I were told to join the kid’s parade for the earth day in front of the Town hall. The Mayor had her speech to recognize and appreciate the good spirit of the kids for the environment. The hundred of kids wore colorful clothes with several banner campaigns for the environment protection has impressed me deeply. Their song “Save the Earth” was the most beautiful song I ever heard. After the parade, they took action on community and river clean up.

Another occasion is at the Council Meeting. Before starting the agenda, the council meeting recognized the excellent performance of the talented young boy named Tyler who composed a campaign rap song for electronic waste. He had a chance to perform in front of the council members and town staff. Looking at his face, he was so proud of himself. 

Rap performance in front of Basalt Council Meeting

Town of Basalt also supports the Art Centre for Kids. The Wyly Community Art Centre is located in the Town of Basalt’s buildings but is operated by a non-profit organization. It provides art classes for kids after school as well as other activities including exhibitions, community events and summer camps. It is believed that art can create creativity and build community. 

Art Class for Kids

In addition, Annah and I have a fun opportunity to join with the group of 3th grade students working on a community garden. This project is the collaborative between the school, the Basalt Town and the Roaring Fork Youth Volunteer Organization, a local non-profit organization.

The observation of children‘s involvement in community activities at Basalt has shaded light on my thinking about the new perspective on citizen involvement.  In Thai words, children are our future… and I think that local government in Thailand as to promote sustainable democracy should put more effort on nurturing public spirits for kids.

joining with students working on gardening

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Individual freedoms - the right to keep and bear arms

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Sandy Graham | May 2, 2013

When I found out that I was going to travel to America, one of the things that I immediately wanted to do was shoot a handgun. It may sound like an odd thing but NZ has an unarmed police force and guns within the citizenry are uncommon. With the publicity associated with some tragic mass shootings and the political maneuverings of the various gun lobbies, I really wanted to try for myself shooting a hand gun. Since it wasn't an experience that I could easily have in NZ, I was delighted when my host City University Park, arranged for the Police Chief and the Arms Training Officer to take Dr Tasanee and I to the indoor firing range.

So - first - colours to the mast - before I went to the range, I was unequivocally of the view that it was madness to let the citizenry carry concealed weapons or hand guns of any sort. So I went along to the shooting range to see if I could get a sense of what it was that made the folk I had talked to so passionate about their views on gun control - both pro and anti.

Dr Tasanee and I were first briefed on the rules of the range by the woman range owner (who carries a concealed weapon) and is a former police officer. We were also warned that we may have trouble with airport security as a result of the gun residue that was likely to stick to our person for 48 hours or so. (Apologies now if we get delayed on our return to DC!) After the briefing, we got our safety equipment and went through into the range where we were both shown how to hold the gun, how to aim and what to expect by way of recoil.

Shooting a hand gun for the first time

I was really nervous about the first shot. How loud would it be? Would I drop the gun? Could I aim it? What about the recoil? So under the guidance of the instructor, I fired first. And bugger me, but I hit the target, did not drop the gun, the recoil was fine and it was not too loud - although the shell case goes flying. And, what I hadn't expected, was the adrenaline rush that accompanied the shot. I then got to shoot about forty further rounds with instruction as I went about how to improve the results. Targets 3 and 4 below are a bit scary because I was naturally quite good at shooting. Who knew.

Dr Tasanee then stepped up and had a couple of shots - she did really well and hit the target but decided that was enough - she had experienced shooting a gun.

The results.

I loved the shooting. It was nothing like the movies. It was invigorating. It was really hard. It did however give me an instant appreciation of how difficult it must be for an armed officer to shoot at a person in a time of stress. And the skill it takes to shoot in situations like that. And surprisingly, I could see immediately, why, if I was a gun owner, I would want to keep the right to carry my gun.

This right to carry has been a topic of conversation with me and staff at University Park. In Texas, state law provides that licensed owners can carry a concealed weapon. Many city staff are licensed and could therefore technically carry a concealed weapon at work.

The City however, has an administrative order that prohibits the carrying of a concealed weapon except by law enforcement officers. Staff, who under state law, can carry a concealed weapon, may only have a weapon in their private vehicles while at work. This seemed reasonable to me but in discussing this with various staff, there is a view that they wished to be able to carry their weapon at all times so they could protect themselves if there was an attack of some sort. This was a really challenging thing to consider and so foreign to the NZ context.

Earlier I said I was not in favour of an armed citizenry. And my experiences here have not changed that view. I think I understand a little more clearly the attraction of gun ownership but I philosophically do not understand the insistence on this right. This has been a challenging experience.

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EMS in Dallus is great!

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Tasanee Aikvanich | May 2, 2013

May2,2013 at 1pm, I have a chance to visit the UP's MICU(Mobile Intensive Care Unit) with Shane Lecroy,Assistant Fire chief  of UP,MICU vehicles are on 24-hours duty,once the patient asks for the medical assistance by calling 911, the response time is less than 3 minutes.Good Job!!! Inside the MICU vehicle, medical emergency drugs and all the medical emergency equipments are well equip with the paramedics/EMT(Emergency Management Technician) which is ready to assist the  emergency patients.After that,George  Ertle and Fire Chief, Randy Howell, kindly arrange for me to visit Parkland Emergency & Trauma hospital. Fire Chief  & Shane Lecroy,Assistant Fire Chief,

well equipt MICU vehicle

visit Parkland Emergency hospital at City of Dallus

photo with Professor dr. Raymond L. Fowler,Chief of EMS operation@ Parkland Emergency Hospital

 

kindly bring me to visit Parkland Emergency & Trauma hospital which is about 15 minutes by car from UP city hall,with 800beds, with average of 400 patiets a day and about 10% of the patients being transport by MICU vehicle/Ambulance.Professor Dr. Raymond L. Fowler,Chief of EMS operation,and his staff kindly give us one -hour -hospital tour.The EMS  system here is very good,trauma unit and burn unit ,observation unit ,Children Emergency unit are excellent! Luckily, I have a chance to meet the doctor who treat the Former President John F. Kenady in November22, 1963 at Trauma room 1 after he got shot at Dallus,Texas, he is 85 years old now,and still fit and teach the medical residents  as  Emeritus Professor. They put the sign of "original site Trauma1,November22,1963"on,and today,this site being renovate to become Radiology unit .Besides, this hospital offer the EMS residency tranning program  and research too.Thaks all to give me this special visit to Parkland Emergency & Trauma hospital.

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