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Community Health Connection

This page is a gateway to links which will provide you with significant information on healthcare and your prehospital EMS System and how you can use it to your fullest advantage.

Call 911 FIRST in an emergency!

Are You Prepared?
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Brain Attack
Heart Health
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Poison Control
General Medical Information
First Aid
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
Disaster Preparedness
Traffic Safety
Michigan Department of Community Health
Area Hospital and Ambulances

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Are You Prepared?

Are you prepared for an emergency? Take a couple of minutes and review the presentation "Are you Prepared". It requires that you have Microsoft Powerpoint Viewer on your computer. (It may take a few minutes to load, depending on the speed of your connection. At the end of the presentation, click the "Back" button on your browser to return to this page.)
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Have you ever thought about learning CPR? The CPR Link will provide you with the locations of CPR courses in West Michigan. You are encouraged to enroll in a CPR class. The locations of CPR classes can also be easily found by calling 1 800 I LRN CPR (1-800-457-6277). You can also find locations for CPR courses by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1 or by visiting the CPR training portion of the American Heart Association website.

You can also try your hand at learning CPR on line by visiting Learn CPR - You Can Do It!

If you would like to test your CPR and/or AED skills, try this CPR simulator!

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Brain Attack

You have certainly heard of heart attacks. A "brain attack"is more commonly known as a stroke, and also requires quick recognition and treatment to maximize the chances for complete recovery. There are now treatments for stroke victims but you must act quickly when stroke symptoms appear.
  • Visit the site of the American Stroke Association and learn that Stroke is a medical emergency!
  • Visit the Brain Attack Coalition web site for public education materials on stroke prevention, recognition of symptoms and actions to take.
  • Check out the Stroke Network a network of cyberspace stroke support web sites.
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Heart Health

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Call 911 FIRST in an emergency!

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Emergency Medical Services (EMS)


  • When should you call 911?
  • When do you need to contact EMS quickly to save a life?
  • Learn to recognize symptoms of diseases that can threaten your life.
  • Learn what to do and what not to do when you recognize serious symptoms.
  • Learn about the Chain of Survival and what you need to do to maximize your prehospital health care.
  • Learn what happens when you call 911. This free call should be the first call you make in a medical emergency. This site will show you when to make a call to 911 and what happens when you make a call to 911.
  • Learn about your emergency medical services system.
  • Install large house numbers on the front of your house that are easily visible from the street so that EMS, Fire and Police can spot your house the first time without missing it!
  • Give the dispatcher something distinctive about your house that is different from other houses on your street (i.e. the car in the driveway will have its' flashers on). This will make your house easy to spot and confirm with the large house numbers!
If you would like to know more information on the Emergency Medical Services System in Kent County, contact either Kent County EMS at 451-8438 or any ambulance company listed below or visit the Kent County EMS website.

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Poison Control

The DeVos Children`s Hospital Regional Poison Center is your source of information on poisoning. The center can be reached as follows:
  • Emergency Phone (Nationwide) 800-222-1222
  • 800-356-3232 (TTY)
  • Administrative Phone 616-774-7851
  • Email
  • Poison Control
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General Medical Information

 Medicine Net is a source of information on:
  • First Aid - Knowledge of first aid and what to do in an emergency can be an invaluable tool when there is a need for emergency care. Check out this site and learn the fundamentals of first aid.
  • Medication information - Learn information on medications you or your family are taking.
  • Dictionary of Medical Terms - If you have ever wondered what that medical word meant, here is your chance to find out!
  • Health Facts Library - Learn about how you can live healthier.
  • Medical Links - Browse various links to other medical topics.
Yahoo - General Health Assessment Tools
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First Aid

Knowledge of First Aid and what to do in an emergency can be an invaluable tool when there is a need for emergency care. Learn the fundamentals of first aid and be prepared to assist yourself or a loved one. Back to Index
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Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

Does one of your loved ones have a terminal illness? If they have decided that they do not wish to be resuscitated in the event of a cardiac arrest, they should have a completed Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form in their possession. EMS personnel in the State of Michigan can only honor a DNR request if this form is presented to them when they arrive. This location will provide you with all the information you need to obtain and complete the DNR form.

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Call 911 FIRST in an emergency!

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Disaster Preparedness

The Y2K scare made people think about how to prepare for a disaster. Now that the year 2000 has come and gone without a problem, learn how you can be prepared to handle other disasters that might actually occur!

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Traffic Safety

A new traffic law went into effect on March 10, 2000 which allows police to stop vehicles where the driver is not wearing a seat belt. Learn about the Click it or Ticket program and why it is important for you to wear your seat belts whenever you drive!
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Michigan Department of Community Health Web Sites

Information on AIDS, Allergies, Diabetes, Diet, Optometry, Poisoning, Mental Health, Biking, Hiking, Walking Drug Abuse, Cystic Fibrosis and many more.

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Area Hospitals

Area Ambulance Companies


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Last modified: October 1, 2008