WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

City Joins Other Fire Departments
To Deliver Top Ranked Cardiac Care

Since 2007, the Coral Gables Fire Department has been working with other fire rescue departments in Miami-Dade County to deliver top ranked cardiac care. The cities of Coral Gables, Miami, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue collaborate with the Miami-Dade STEMI Network, a system that speeds the transport of heart attack patients to prepared hospitals facilitating the treatment in a situation when every minute counts. STEMI is an acronym for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, a heart attack caused by a blocked coronary artery. Hospitals within the STEMI Network restore blood flow to a patient within an hour of arrival. Since its inception, the Miami-Dade STEMI Network has treated 1,800 patients experiencing life-threatening cardiac emergencies. Prior to the implementation of the STEMI Network, approximately 12 percent of patients suffering a blocked coronary artery would not survive. Thanks to this program, Miami-Dade County possesses today the lowest cardiac emergency mortality rate in the nation — less than 1 percent. This achievement has not been replicated anywhere else in the continental United States. 

Emergency Medical Transportation Fee
Goes Into Effect October 1

Beginning October 1, 2009, the City of Coral Gables will begin billing for the new Emergency Rescue Transportation Service fees. No payment will be expected at the time of transport, and all persons will be transported regardless of insurance coverage or their ability to pay. The Coral Gables City Commission approved this new ordinance on second reading on September 22th in order to help cover the increasing cost of providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the community and to rely less on property taxes and other City revenues. If you are a resident of Coral Gables and are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, the emergency rescue transportation fee will not affect you. If you are covered by private insurance, you may be responsible for any private insurance co-pays, depending on your coverage. For many years, the City of Coral Gables has been billing non-residents for these services but was the only City in Miami-Dade County that until now did not charge its residents for EMS transportation. The new charges are identical to the fees for services charged by Miami-Dade County to the unincorporated areas and the 30 cities it serves. To access the Citizen’s Guide to Emergency Rescue Transportation Fees which explains the charges and billing process, click here.  

Building Citizenship In The Community

The City of Coral Gables is participating in a initiative developed by the Florida League of Cities. A recent roundtable organized by the Office of the Mayor gathered a group of community leaders to discuss civics and civility under the theme of “Building Citizenship in the Community: Back to Basics.” The mayors from the Village of the Palmetto Bay and the Village of Pinecrest, the Vice Mayor of Wellington, private and public schools representatives, as well as executives from the University of Miami, Dade Medical College, Coral Gables Community Foundation, Kiwanis International, and Coral Gables Museum were among the participants. In light of recent tragedies at local schools and national headlines about uncivil conduct in sports and music, the absence of civility is becoming more apparent each day. The group discussed the need to educate students on the essential integration of civility in our society and about the inner workings of municipal governments and the fundamentals of city services. For more information on the program, contact the Office of the Mayor at 305-460-5220. 

Coral Gables Ladies Tennis Team
Advances to Nationals

Congratulations to the first ladies tennis team of Coral Gables for advancing to the finals in a national competition. The “Ladies in Pink,” who used to train at the Coral Gables Country Club and now practice at Salvadore Park, have defeated 14 local teams in South Florida since last Fall to advance to the United States Tennis Association’s Regional Championships in Boca Raton. They became State Champions in Daytona Beach this past August. The 14 team mates have been playing together since 2005 and will now represent our city and state at the nationals to be held in Tucson, Arizona, October 15–19. They are known as the “Ladies in Pink” as they have two breast cancer survivors as teammates. Our best wishes to this formidable group of women for working extremely hard in their attempt to bring the national title home to the City of Coral Gables.  

Take The Pledge To Living Green

The City of Coral Gables takes great pride in conservation and eco-friendly efforts, and now it’s time to prove it. The City of Coral Gables has accepted the South Florida Living Green Fair’s Mayors Challenge and needs your help to show that we’re among the greenest communities in South Florida. By taking a few minutes to review easy and helpful tips for preserving our precious water resources, you will receive a free family pass for five to the South Florida Living Green Fair. Once you complete the short pledge, you will receive a code to print your free tickets. This event takes place November 14–15 at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park. Let’s work together to conserve clean water in the City of Coral Gables. Take the Challenge to help us earn bragging rights as South Florida’s most eco-minded community, by clicking here.  

Coral Gables Museum Offers Preservation Workshops

The Coral Gables Museum, in conjunction with the City of Coral Gables’ Historic Preservation Board and Dade Heritage Trust, is presenting a monthly Preservation Education Workshop Series from October through February. The series kicks off tomorrow with preservationist Donovan Rypkema who will lecture on The Role of Preservation in Sustainable Development. The presentation will be held in the Merrick Room at the Biltmore Hotel’s Conference Center of the Americas beginning at 7 p.m. Preservationist, government officials, city planners, architects and students are encouraged to attend. The event is free. Reservations are required by calling Christine Rupp at 305-910-3996 or via email at chris@coralgablesmuseum.org. 

Students Can Enter Scary Story Contest

Downtown Coral Gables and Miracle Mile will once again provide a fun and safe environment for trick-or-treating during the 12th annual Halloween on the Mile. As part of this year’s festivities, the Business Improvement District is inviting students to take part in a scary story contest. To enter, students can submit by October 14, 2009, a one-page original scary story that takes place in Miracle Mile and  downtown Coral Gables. Winners will receive special parties for their homeroom class from sponsors including Peterbrooke Chocolatier, California Pizza Kitchen and Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. Stories can be submitted by e-mail to info@shopcoralgables.com or by mail to the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables, 220 Miracle Mile, Suite 234, Coral Gables, 33134. For more information, please call 305-569-0311 or visit www.shopcoralgables.com.