EMS on the Hill

jnielsen

Junior Poster
WMSTR Lifetime Member
I would like to hear from other EMS personel that spend time on the hill. I believe that we need to coordinate equipment and personel to ensure good first responder service to all. So if anyone has any ideas, conceerns, suggestions i would like to hear from you. my contacts are [email protected] and cell 218.289.2277 thanks
 
I think having an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) would be a good idea to have on the grounds, probably in the Admin building. They have come down in price and are very user friendly. I pray it never would have to be used and it isn't a guarantee, but the track record at schools, casinos and airports speaks for itself. The sooner it can be brought to the patient the better.
 
This is not my area of expertise on the board, and I agree... first responders are an important part of potentially saving someones life, but... (there is always a but...!) we do need to be very careful about liability with what we do at the WMSTR member level, or as a function of services provided by our members as part of the operation of the show.

I AM NOT trying to shut you down Jeff, but just want you to be aware that we do hire an ambulance service every year, and they are on the grounds during show hours. Not sure about night time. I think there is a place for an EMS group within our organization, but I am not sure how it should be administered.

Please keep the Board of Directors informed as to your intentions. I am sure we can come up with some sort of plan!

Say "hi" to Cory!
 
Yes Mark we need to take liability into account. We do need to do something though. AEDs are easy and safe to use even for the untrained. I definently think we should get one if not more than one to reduce patient downtime. I don't know if the ambulance is there at night. Are they ALS? What about just before the show when it is also busy? I would also include fire prevention and control into this discussion. Our exhibits are a fire hazard one trailer fire could spread to many very quickly. I loved seeing the water tender at the threshing.
 
more on ems

I agree with Sean that fire is another concern, I applaud the ambulance service that is on site during the show they do a wonderful job for all of us. But as Sean pointed out there is alot of activity pre show and we do not have them (the ambulance) on the grounds.

All I am trying to do is get together all of the folks like myself that spend alot of time on the hill who are trained in ems so we can compare notes and concerns. What equipment would benifit all if it was available? how we would handle events if they come up.
 
Speaking of EMS had to run on a call. Whom ever had the forthought to have the water tender on standby for the threshing good thinking and thank you. Also thanks to Ellis Aakre for putting it in service and to whoever drained and winterized it every year. It is the only show owned apparatus capable of fire control. We should give thought to more apparatus, equipment and a rundown on operation of apparatus considering it may operate different (older) than what trained members may be used to. I am hopeing that the Fire Station project may focus more thought on Fire and EMS. Also the Ambulance service does a great job many thanks to them.

Sean FF/EMT
 
Ems

I think what Jeff is saying is more for the summer, and just before the show before the ambulance crew is out at the hill. As one of the guys who obtained shall we say a couple of blisters prior to the show, I can tell you how happy I was that Jeff had his bag in his car. After I was able to get the ice off my hands Jeff wrapped the up for me. ( I was able to use the ambulance crew a few days later to drain off a little fluid) Without guys like Jeff who bring thier EMS stuff with them I think you'd be hard pressed to find as much as a band-aid. ( except for Tom Halls' wallet) I think it would be very benificial for WMSTR to invest in some kind of first aid equipment.
As for the liability factor, I know from what training I had just in first-aid & CPR that the Good Samaritan Act in the state kind of covers that.
Not at all saying there shouldn't be board approval, but something the board certianly should address.
Ken Ronsberg
 
Kenronsberg;2925 said:
Not at all saying there shouldn't be board approval, but something the board certianly should address.
Ken Ronsberg

Agreed! When you guys all get together, figure out how you think we should address these concerns and come to a board meeting. Ellis and Rick are both extremely close to this subject, and I am sure they would like to hear more!

FYI, Gary Muhl is in charge of the "Dustbuster" water truck and makes sure it is maintained every year. I think he winterizes both the Dustbuster and the Thirst Quencher every year, though this past fall Jerry and Jane Christiansen and myself did the Thirst Quencher. Gary checked to make sure we didn't miss anything! Rick Halldorson was largely responsible for the fire protection being on hand for the threshing demonstration.
 
Thanks to Gary, Jerry, Jane and Mark for winterizing the dustbuster and thirst quencher. Can those trucks be retrofitted to also act as water tenders ( able to connect to and supply water to fire apparatus ). The show owned capable fire apparatus I speak of is the Hawley Rural FD water tender. It has 1; 1 1/2 inch attack line with nozzle and intake and discharge ports for 2 1/2 inch line ( has an adapter to make 1 1/2 inch useful ) also a booster reel for grass fires. This tender while effective is older than modern automatics. It would only take a run through with members that are trained FFs to bring them up to speed on its differences to what they are used to. As for EMS we also need to meet and go over ideas. I will make sure to pack a bigger aid kit from now on. Our biggest issue is we become a sizeable town for part of the year and small for the rest. If you ever want to know how much ask Warren or my dad about electrical needs. Rick thank you for protecting us during the threshing especially as I was out there causing more than my share of sparks I am sure.
 
Emergency Services at Steamer Hill

Good evening. I received a message from Jeff Neilson concerning emergency services at Steamer Hill. I'll have to answer it on the forum as my computer is not fully cooperating this evening.

Many of you posting here bring up some excellent points that have certainly been concerns of mine for several years. Rollag is at high distance points (13 Miles) from the bases of the emergency service providers such as fire and EMS.

We cannot allow WMSTR members who are non-law enforcement access to our radio system. There's several reasons for this but the main concerns are security, cost and safety. We are also in a transition to a digital radio system and the cost for a portable radio with battery is approximately $3,800. Cellular phones will provide contact with our dispatch center and appropriate units will be sent to assist you. As stated earlier, your call may initially go to the MN State Patrol. Once you inform the MSP dispatcher that your emergency is not traffic related they will transfer you to our dispatch center.

Barnesville Ambulance Service is on standby at Steamer Hill during each day of the show from 8:00am until 5:00pm. Deputies are stationed at Steamer Hill 24 hours each day from Thursday afternoon thru late Monday afternoon. I put an AED in our command post while preparing for the show, it stays there for the duration of the show.

AED's are reasonably priced and they do work. We have our employees go thru a training class on the AED's at the same time we do CPR/first aid. You see them placed in many other public places such as mall's, airports and schools. The liabilities for your organization would be minimal in my opinion. The device is very sophisticated, it will not shock unless certain criteria are met. This would be a good purchase for WMSTR and I agree the Administration Building would be a good place to keep it. The batteries do go bad on these devices and they are very expensive to replace.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me. My office phone is (218) 299-7577.
Lt. Steve Todd
Clay County Sheriff's Office
 
Is Barnsville Ambulance ALS?
Thanks for the info on the AED I did not know. The grounds are large and the downtime a patient might suffer great ( recognition + notification + time get AED to patient ). That is during the show when the AED is present. I think we should have a few staged around the grounds. All members should know their locations. Lt Steve is right they are starting to be staged like fire extinguishers in other places. They are safe will not shock unless a shockable heart rhythm is present. They are designed to be used by people who have no idea how they work, they will tell the operator everything they need to do. There is probably less liability in having them then in not. They is probably less risk in using them then in operating a fire extinguisher. When I say it will tell you how to use it it actually says out loud what to do. If you do anything wrong it tells you what is wrong and how to fix it.
 
Good discussion.

I will get the details from FM ambulance and see what we would have to do to get AED’s in place in some areas of the show and bring it up at a future board meeting. At $1000.00 each or more we will not have them in as many places as fire extinguishers.

Unless things have changed in the past 12 to 18 months we will have to develop a program, assure there are trained people in the areas of the AED’s and have a medical doctor write a prescription for them. Laws change quickly though so some of this may not pertain to us. The staff at FM stays up on these things and also sells the units so they are a good resource.

Dust buster has a couple of fire nozzles on board and while it is not rated fire apparatus we have used it. It is not well set up for support of other fire apparatus but we did have a diffuser nozzle on board to allow us to pump off to a drop tank if necessary.

We need to keep in mind that as a volunteer organization we do not want to get into the business of full fire fighting. We need to be able to protect exposures and fight “incipient” stage fires on the grounds. We will want to hold things at bay as best we can until the pro’s get there. There are several of us on the grounds that are firefighters (both paid and volunteer) but without a fire department to work under and the “proper “ equipment to use we will not be risking life and limb either.

I do not know if any of our members are members of HERT and if so if there is any assistance they can give. The trouble comes in verifying the level of training that people actually have and if it is current. It is the responsibility of any department or rescue squad to do this and it can be a logistical problem in the type of system we would be working under.

Any additional organization is a good thing. We just have to realize where our limitations lie and provide help up to that point.

Rick
 
Thanks for the info on the dustbuster and the AEDs Rick. Very good point on what we can do when it comes to fire suppression. This is exactly what I am advocating. Incipent fires and exposures or surround and drown type evolutions ( safe distance smaller fire ) we can do. We should not be takeing risks.
 
EMS on the hill

Rick;
A few questions after reading the postings.
Where is the Hawley engine kept when it is not show time? When I was there last July, I kicked myself for not seeking it out.
Does the engine have a drop tank? If not, has there been any thought of seeking an older 500gal. tank which is no longer being used by a fire department? I can ask questions in my area and, if lucky, bring one up. I think I can fit one on/in my fifth-wheel camper(?). When I joined the Prophetstown Fire Department in 1980, all our tenders had 500g. tanks. Till the 1,000 and 1,500 gal. units came out. When I retired in 2002, we had a 500 gal. tank stored in the district for training purposes.
Does the Hawley engine have a front-mount pump, or is it a mid-ship?Single stage or two stage volume pump? High pressure - pto pump?
What is the capacity of the booster tank?
How much hose is on board the engine? What size is it?
What nozzles and fittings are available?
What is HERT?
What is the view from the fire tower? During the show, can someone be up there with field glasses and a radio to see a problem quicker?
Even though I retired from active service in firefighting, I still keep a jump-bag of stuff in case of emergencies. I also try to pick up first responder refresher training through work.
I agree with the idea that firefighting with Rollag equipment and people should be for incipient fires and to contain a fire from spreading to other exposures. We can make an attempt to slow down an interior fire through doors and windows untill Barnesville or Hawley can get there and do an interior attack. I can honestly say " Been there / done that"
Just trying to help when / where I can.
Stay safe.
Paul
 
Paul,

A few questions? Whew you will have to let me catch my breath if you ever ask a lot of questions!:hide:

All are good background questions.

The Hawley engine does indeed have a drop tank on it. If you could get another one donated I would bring it to the board for approval. We could use the spare even if we stuck it away for a while.

Hawley engine is a PTO driven mid mount pump 500GPM. I remember it as a single stage pump which would put it in the neighborhood of a 150psi unit.

I have never asked about the tank but it would appear to be 750 gallon. It just seems bigger than 500 but I could be fooled there.

There is a couple hundred feet of 1 1/2 inch line on board and at least one nozzle. There is also a quick dump on it. Not a Newton but it is a large butterfly.

We could use some other apparatus if we are going to get serious about making the unit a first response unit. I do not know if the pump is in shape to draft but if not it is not far away. We could get a service outfit to work it over for us.

Fire tower is not very user friendly I would not recommend anyone climbing it and using it.

HERT is Hawley's medical first response team.

It is fun to hear from some fellow firefighters. It would be good to get together some time on the hill.

I hope I covered all the questions. If not quote what I missed and I will try and get the answers.

Rick
 
EMS on the hill

Rick;
Hot Dawg!!
I haven't drafted since I retired. If my hopes/plans for Steam School time off work pan out, I would love to get used to the engine.
I will attempt to try and get some hose from the Prophetstown district. Any time new handlines come in, they are 1 3/4" As of 5 yrs ago, there were two older style, non-pistol grip, 1 1/2" fog nozzles in a back room cabinet.
I will see what I can do down south here in Illinois.
Paul
 
Roger that!:)

I will look it over this spring and see what may be ahead of us for a tune up! If the bill gets too big it will have to wait for a year and we will put in a budget item for it. The nozzles and hose you speak of would be a welcome addition.

Thanks

Rick
 
Hawley Tender is probably closer to a 1000 gallons or more, but I am not sure exactly.

It is stored in the new small engine building attached to the DVD and buckle stand with rest of the fire apparatus that winters at Rollag.

150 to 200 ft of 1 1/2 or 1 3/4 line with a relatively newer pistolgrip combination nozzle.

One older 2 1/2 nozzle.

It has a drop tank it was in the way of the attack line so we moved it. It might still be behind some threshing machines. It has a strainer but no hard suction hose.

One booster reel with nozzle.

I will keep my eyes out for surplus equipment in good shape.

Rick excellent idea we should all get together on the hill.
 
EMS on the hill

Guys;
By the way;
What size is the suction? 4" or 2 1/2" ? Gated outside or 1/4 turn valve inside the panel?
My wife said that a drop tank would not fit through the door of our camper.
NO PROBLEM !!
I'll duct tape it to the back ladder which goes from the bumper to the roof. Could be worse. At least I'm not hauling wet 1 3/4" handline fresh from a hog barn fire.
Paul
 
Paul,

Just tell her it is a portable pool you are going to use in the campground!:hide:

I will look it over in the spring ad forward you all the details.

Rick
 
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