Nature Calls

The article, “Call from the Wild,” in the July issue was something that we have hoped to see for a long time. Animal rescues are a reality for the fire service and departments need to be prepared. This type of rescue poses a significant risk of injury to firefighters and is a challenge to rescue personnel. Adaptation of existing rescue systems to handle a 1,200-pound, living, moving victim is extremely challenging.

There is some additional information that we feel is important to mention. In 2002 the state of California adopted a fire service training and education course, Large Animal Rescue- Operational. This course is oriented specifically to the training of fire service personnel with special attention to firefighter safety. The training also covers the role of other agencies that might have jurisdiction — such as law enforcement, animal services and veterinarians — so that all parties can work together in a unified command.

This course emphasizes the use of existing firefighter training and the use of standard fire/rescue equipment to perform large animal rescues. Technical skills for the fire service are adapted for use in large-animal rescue with an understanding of horse behavior and characteristics. We have been teaching this course throughout California and the western United States.

Our department formed a large animal rescue unit in 1999 and has been responding to incidents involving large animals since. We mentor and give mutual aid to newly trained agencies throughout California and give telephone assistance to groups across the country.
— John Fox, Captain
and Deb Fox, Firefighter/EMT
Felton (Calif.) Fire Protection
District

Buckle Up

In response to Trey Mayo's August firefighter safety piece, “Stuck in Neutral,” this is so elementary a concept that I liken it to reminding your people to wipe themselves after using the restroom. Is the fire service so ignorant that we can't comprehend the intelligence of belting ourselves in before we go out the door? I guess the multiple deaths and injuries each year answer this question for us.

As grim as these easily preventable statistics are, the term “lackluster enforcement” is even more tragic. Come on, chief, is it really that hard to write a simple policy with stern consequences for non-compliance? How about, “Wear your seatbelt. Period.” First violation, 30 days suspension. Second violation, find a new job. Get hurt falling off the truck, or get ejected in an accident … sorry, we won't cover your medical costs.

If the fire chief and union leaders can't support a simple, life-saving measure, then maybe it's time to rethink who's in charge. One of my fire buddies tells his whiners, “10 days a month … it's not that difficult!”

I'm in my 33rd year in the fire service. I started out in open cabs, rode tailboard, and I use my seatbelt every time I'm in the rig. It's not that hard.
— Jeffrey K. DeBell
Consolidated Fire District #2
Johnson County, Kan.