Side Notes 7/6-7/13

Recreational drone enthusiasts looking to get an aerial shot of a blazing wildfire should stay far, far away, according to Oregon officials who point out that operating an unmanned aerial vehicle in a Temporary Flight Restriction zone—such as in an active wildfire area—is punishable under state and federal law. In fact, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, "Drone operators who interfere with wildfire suppression efforts are subject to civil penalties of up to $27,500 and possible criminal prosecution."

"Drones flying in the vicinity of a wildfire pose a very serious threat to fire crews in their ability to safely combat wildfires, protect Oregonians and defend property," said Rep. John Huffman (R-The Dalles), who leads the legislative Work Group on Unmanned Aerial Systems. "In several cases, fire crews have had to abandon essential aerial fire suppression operations due to drone activity in the area. It is absolutely imperative that drone pilots know the law and operate their UAVs with the highest regard for public safety."

 Oregon's state wildfire agency concurs. "When we respond to a wildfire, we need to be able to count on having clear airspace to operate helicopters and fire retardant aircraft," said Doug Grafe, Chief of Fire Protection for the Oregon Department of Forestry. "Firefighters are putting their own safety on the line, and public safety is critical as well. The presence of drones during wildfire response complicates both, so please avoid any active fire area."

For further information about drone regulations and safety, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Unless you've taken a CPR class recently, almost everything you know about it is wrong. New resuscitation guidelines from the American Heart Association indicate that hands-only CPR is more effective than alternating compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and that rescuers should perform 100 to 120 compressions per minute, pushing down 2 to 2.4 inches on the chest.

Locals who want to learn the "right" way to (potentially) revive a heart attack victim can take a free, one-hour class from the Bend Fire Department, offered monthly. According to Battalion Chief David Howe, the class will include an introduction to the Pulse Point phone app, which locates CPR providers in proximity to a cardiac arrest. He says, " We aim to get as many community CPR providers as we can, so that the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest in Bend will continue to rise." Call 541-322-6300 to register for an upcoming class.

Note: Readers wondering how to maintain a rhythm of 100 to 120 compressions per minute can sing the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" in their heads. Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" will also work, as inappropriate as it seems.

More than half of OSU-Cascades students are the first in their families to attend college, and half are eligible for federal financial aid. Thanks to a $50,000 donation from Bank of the Cascades Foundation, first-year students who might not otherwise be able to afford college can apply for a needs-based scholarship to OSU's growing campus in Bend.

"I witness the transformative power of scholarships on a daily basis," said Jane Reynolds, director of enrollment services and student success at OSU-Cascades. "Bank of the Cascades Foundation's scholarship support has the capacity to change the lives of student recipients and in doing so supports ongoing economic vitality."

To learn more about financial aid and scholarship opportunities at OSU-Cascades, visit osucascades.edu/admissions.