The Down East Seniors Club held its July 15 meeting at the Blind Center of North Carolina in Washington. President Stewart Rumley led the meeting. Jim Hackney played for the singing of “God Bless America” and Charlie Mike Smith gave the invocation. Dick Robinson and Dick Paul provided humor.

New member Gene Schwartz was introduced.

Program Chairman Ray Briley introduced John Flemming, Beaufort County Emergency Services director. Mr. Flemming said there are four levels of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). They are responder, basic, intermediate and paramedic. Each step up requires more formal training and medical experience. Mr. Flemming is working toward having all of Beaufort County covered by paramedic-level service. Paramedics can diagnose an emergency case and immediately begin administering appropriate treatment. It has been found that this increases survival rates by 31 percent, as compared to waiting until reaching the emergency room to begin treatment. The word FAST is associated with strokes. F stands for facial drooping on one side. A stands for arm (or leg) weakness on one side. S stands for speech difficulty. If any of these symptoms is present, T stands for “time to call 911.”

Ray Briley won the 50/50 drawing.