Page 11 - Boca Club News - February '20

Boca Club News, Page 11

From the Desk of Palm Beach County

Commissioner Robert S. Weinroth: Fire Rescue

Robert Weinroth, a former member Quick Statistics on Palm Beach County Fire Rescue: else seems too good to be true, it probably is. Perform more
of the Boca Raton City Council, was • 140,000 911 calls for help each year; research on the company providing the deal.
elected as a Palm Beach County • 49 fire stations, including Palm Beach International • The government will not notify you of a late bill or
Commissioner to replace Steven Airport; owed payment over an ad on a website.
Abrams, who retired due to term • Covering 1,761 square miles; • Bank accounts and retirement accounts for unusual
limits requirements. • More than 1,500 employees. purchases or withdrawals should also be monitored.
Recently I had the opportunity Non-emergency Services: • Review and discuss monthly bills and prescriptions,
to attend the Hot Zone Hands-On • Fire and arson investigations; and be aware of any new mention of “new” bills or
Training event hosted by the Palm • Building fire safety inspections; “cheaper” prescriptions.
Beach County Fire Rescue Department at their headquarters • Construction plans review;
training center on Pike Road in West Palm Beach. • Community education presentations; How to report scams: It’s vital to report scams to the
It is said, to appreciate someone’s burden you first need • Mobile Integrated Health Program – for follow-up with authorities since it’s the first step in trying to catch these
to walk in their “boots.” To better understand the tasks we patients in need after 911 calls; criminals.
ask our first responders to routinely undertake, a group of • CARES Team – for emotional first aid for families and FBI: Blue and white collar crimes including internet
us donned bunker gear (complete with boots, masks, air resource connection services. scams, especially if money is involved. (https://www.fbi.
tanks, and even body armor) and sampled several scenarios gov/contact-us).
testing our abilities and endurance. Seniors Getting Scammed--What to look for and how Federal Trade Commissioner: telemarketing and
From extricating a vehicle passenger utilizing some to help. Every year over three million senior citizens are phishing scams. (https://www.identitytheft.gov/?utm_
serious metal bending and cutting tools, to responding to the victims of scams resulting in over $3 billion in losses. source=takeaction).
scene of an active shooter with victims requiring immediate Internet scams are a growing problem for our retirement Social Security Administration: anything involving
aid, to a smoke-filled building with victims in needs of aid, population, especially since many are very trusting and your social security number and/or funds. (https://oig.ssa.
to a fully involved structure fire, we were carefully guided susceptible to fraudulent activities. gov/report-fraud-waste-or-abuse).
through each scenario by seasoned fire professionals. One of the most popular internet scams is phishing,
Needless to say, I now have a much greater appreciation when a scammer uses fraudulent emails or texts, or copycat Nonprofit Spotlight: Place of Hope. Place of Hope is a
of the challenges faced by these brave men and women. I websites, to get personal information such as bank account unique, faith-based, state-licensed children’s organization
am proud to report we are in the most capable hands with and social security numbers. Phishing is usually done providing family-style foster care, maternity care, safety
county’s first-responders. through fraudulent emails containing malware. for victims of domestic minor sex trafficking, transitional
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is one of the largest Other popular scams are computer “pop-ups” claiming housing and support services for youth aging out of foster
fire departments in the state of Florida. In addition to fire you have won a sweepstake or lottery, counterfeit prescription care, and housing and support services for homeless
and/or medical emergencies, they are trained to respond drugs advertisements or emails, and employment and families.
to hazardous materials/conditions, plane crashes, aircraft “sweetheart” scams. They also provide foster care recruitment and support
emergencies, active shooter incidents, chemical and fuel for children and families who have been traumatized by
spills, and water and animal rescues. PBFR is also involved How to avoid becoming a victim: abuse and neglect throughout our region.
in hurricane/disaster planning and response and presidential • Avoid opening or clicking on links from emails or ads Place of Hope’s mission is to foster hope rather than
detail. from unfamiliar sources. despair, potential rather than limitations, healing rather
• Don’t give personal information over the phone, or than hurting, belonging rather than isolation, and what the
online to an unknown party. future can be, rather than what the past has been. For more
• If a deal on a vacation, prescription drug, or something information, please visit https://www.placeofhope.com/.
MorseLife-10.25x8- Seabreeze.qxp_Layout 1 1/24/20 12:58 PM Page 1

The need

is great

and the

time is

NOW In Palm Beach County, approximately 5,000 of the remaining Holocaust Survivors are living in poverty and

isolation, existing on meager pensions. They survived unspeakable cruelty in their youth and are still suffering today.

We couldn’t rescue them then, but we can help them now.
MorseLife Health System is committed to helping these special members of our community live the rest of
their lives with the dignity and security they deserve, by providing nutritious food, home health care, transportation to
doctors’ appointments, companionship and other necessities.
We need your help.The cost of these basic services is thousands of dollars per Survivor per year, depending upon
the level of need.
Please donate today as we fulfill this sacred responsibility.

MorseLifeFoundation.org | 561.476.3404

Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Seniors Campus
4847 David S. Mack Drive | West Palm Beach, FL 33417