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The Flashing Beacon
September, 2003
Volume 13, Issue 9
1953 - 2003 - Fifty years of the Volunteer Spirit
Ladder Chatter
Firefighter One
The 2003 Firefighter One course is turning out to be one of the best we have ever had. The group of new people are doing very well and learning a lot! Each training has been done very well with excellent instructors and hands on applications. If you have not attended one of the classes yet, come on out and you will be guaranteed to learn something new. Also, the newer people will benefit greatly from the advice and experience of all of you veterans! Your being there is vitally important to developing a cohesive team on the fire department.
Hazardous Materials
The Carbondale Fire District is becoming part of the regional hazardous materials response teams in both Pitkin and Garfield counties. The fire departments in the valley are combining resources and efforts to be able to respond to hazardous materials incidents as well as possible weapons of mass destruction (WMD) problems as we are required to by law and new federal regulations.
One of the first opportunities to participate in a regional training is on September 27th at the Aspen Airport. Pitkin County Airport is putting on it’s annual airport disaster drill and there will be a small decontamination component to the exercise as well. We will be participating in the exercise and we are looking for 4 –5 Operations level people to be part of a group of 15 or so people to run the decon station. It is very simple to do and we will be doing a dry run at the Basalt station 42 a week or so before the actual drill. If you can participate please contact Rob at station 1. Your participation is appreciated and very much needed.
Thanks!
September 2003
EMT-I Transition Course
The course starts Friday night the 12th at 1830 at Station 1. This is the cardiac module and will cover EKG rhythms, cardiac A+P, leads and electrodes and finish with transcutaneous pacing. We will also spend some time on interpreting leads 1,3 and MCL1. We are bringing in some excellent outside instructors to teach this. At the completion of each module we will begin to use the skills and medications we learn on our ambulances. This course will meet all the state requirements for renewal of your EMT-I certification.
Here is the complete schedule
Module 5 Cardiac
September 12-1830-2200
Sept. 13+27 0900
Module 3 Pt assessment and peak expiatory flow testing
October 27th 1830
Module 2 Airway
November 15th 0900
Module 4 trauma tentative date
January 9th 1830+10th 0900
Module 1 Pharmacology tentative date
February 27 1830 + 28 0900
Firefighter One
The FF1 class is rocking!! We have a great group of folks in the class including: Nate Bohlen, Crystal Brown, Bryce Halverson, Mitch Heuer, Jessica Hoge, Cory Huck, Maureen Nuckols, Ed Ptacek, Duke Reher, Travis Shelton, Ray Sauvey, Rito Villela, Brandon Wallace and Chris Woods. I encourage all to drop in work with the new members, refresh your skills and pass on your knowledge. It’s really fun.
EMS Training in September
September 15th Respiratory Emergencies with Jay Kaufman- respiratory therapist at VVH
September 22nd- QA and Run review with Dr. Stahl
EMT-I Transition Course
Sept. 12,13, 27 Cardiac
Fire Training in September
September 3rd- Portable Extinguishers
September 6th- Personnel protective equipment
September 10th- Ropes and Knots
September 17th- Rescue and extrication
September 20- Ladders
September 24- Forcible Entry
Other Training Opportunities
Airport Disaster Drill – Sept. 18th 1500, Rifle Airport
IV for EMT-Basics- Basalt Fire Sept. 11,12,13,17,18
First Responder- Basalt Fire, Oct +Nov. Your entry ticket into the world of EMS
Coming Attractions
Propane Live Burn Amerigas is no longer doing the propane tree training. I am researching ideas to build or buy a propane tree prop. Stay tuned.
ICS 200 for Officers
October 17+18 Officers this is the class for you. The class will be open to officers of neighboring departments so it will be a great chance to work them. Even if you have taken the class before come and take it again.
THE BLEEDING HEART
We are approaching the end of the summer. Our trauma calls are down but are cardiac calls are up. This fall promises to be a very exciting time, "I" Transition, Paramedics, and a beautiful fall.
Responses: As mentioned before the number of trauma calls are down for the summer and for the year. We have had several auto accidents but the injuries were what is expected. We did have a patient that was struck by lightening on the 15th tee at Aspen Glen. The patient survived the incident. We will review this call with Dr. Stahl. While our Trauma calls have decreased, our cardiac calls have increased. We have had several patients that have suffered heart attacks or other serious cardiac problems.
EMT Recertificatons: Ray Lackey and Shannon Poland have passed their state written and are now recertified as "I's". Congratulations to you both!
LPN's. Mike Gilfry and Jolene Singer have passed their state boards and are now Licensed Practical Nurses. Congratulations. One more year and they will be Registered Nurses. Keep up the great work!!!!
Redstone Ambulance: On Thursday, September 4, the volunteers at Station #2 agreed to continue staffing the ambulance in Redstone. This program has proven to be very successful over the summer. It will now operate on a full years basis. Staffing will typically be Saturday night and when they are available. In other words it will continue to operate as it has this summer. Thanks to all of the Redstone people Linda, Munk, Kat, Woody, "Varn," and particularly thanks to Chuck and Allan for the leadership they have demonstrated in making this project a success.
AED and CPR Training: If you did not have the opportunity to review the AED training in August, please contact Frank, Carl, Ken, Jessica, or Paul. It takes just a few minutes and is required by the policies of the District.
Paramedic Scholarships: We have discussed the Paramedic Training and scholarships with the District Board. We have talked with those individuals who have applied for the grants. The application process will be completed in September.
Cardiac Monitor Upgrades: The upgrades on the Cardiac Monitors carried on Ambulances 21 and 22, as well as the one on Squad 3, were done in August. The upgrades include Pulse Ox, BP Monitoring, and Pacing.
Cardiac Monitor Battery Charger on Squad 3 and Ambulance 22: We have installed a battery charger for the Cardiac Monitor on Ambulance 22 and Squad 3. This will eliminate the need to bring the batteries down to Station #1 for charging. Once a month they batteries do still need to be exchanged with batteries from the Charger at Station #1
HEP B and TB Tests: This may be sad news to some of you, but we won't be sticking anybody in September. We will be testing in October.
Pediatric Kits: The new pediatric kits have been placed on all three ambulances, Squad 3, Engine 4, and Engine 5. These kits contain the needed BLS and ALS equipment for Pediatric Patients. This includes medical and trauma. The kits also include pediatric cardiac monitor EKG Pads, Combo Pads, and OB Kits. The Bags were purchased with a grant from the Aspen Medical Foundation. Please take a minute to review the kits before you have to use them. Thanks to Allan, Jessica, Ken, and Shannon for helping in putting these kits together.
Oxygen Bottles: All of the oxygen bottles in the District have been hydro tested, and re-valved if needed. The oxygen bottles are now lightweight aluminum, hydro tested, and keyless. If you find an oxygen bottle that is steel, or with a keyed valved please let Carl know.
MCI at Garfield County Airport: The MCI drill at Garfield County Airport is Thursday, September 18, 2003. We will be leaving at 16:00 with an ambulance for transporting two critical patients. These patients will be moulaged and we will treat them as real patients, including transport to Valley View Hospital. 11 additional patients will be transported to VVH and 15 more to Grand River Hospital. In addition, those that want to observe can also go. We will leave at the same time. Please contact Carl if you want to be on the ambulance or be an observer.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS IN SEPTEMBER
GO OUT TO:
1 MARC BASSETT
13 KEVIN KEEGAN
20 RICHARD CORNELIUS
26 JEANETTE WARE
Happy Birthday to you all!
Carbondale Fire District
300 Meadowood Dr.
Carbondale, CO 81623
Phone:
(970) 963-2491
Fax:
(970) 963-0569
E-Mail:
carbondalefire.org
