Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District

UPCOMING TRAINING
Author :: Steve Ebner
Date :: Tue 08/31/2010 @ 03:21

Thursday September 2, 1900 at Station 3:
Dr. DeMond will be out to update us on patient packaging using the vacuum mattress.
Thursday September 9, 1900 at Station 3:
Tom McNamara will present training on the use of the 800 MHz system. It is important that everyone make this training as we will be migrating over to the 800 MHz system the first of October if everything goes as planned.
Thursday September 16, 1900 at Station 1:
Fire training, topic to be determined
Saturday September 25, 0900 at Station 1:
Meet at Station 1 for a brief review of water supply oper- ations. We will then go out to County Road 119 and perform a water shuttle originating from the Mormon Reservoir.
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THE NEXT CALL
Author :: Doug Zalesky
Date :: Tue 08/31/2010 @ 03:20

I want to share a scenario with everyone and hopefully, everyone will take the time to decide whether or not the following piece of apparatus is ready for THE NEXT CALL.
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I want to share a scenario with everyone and hopefully, everyone will take the time to decide whether or not the following piece of apparatus is ready for THE NEXT CALL.
Scenario: Medic Unit – periodic check being done with the following issues. The first thing noticed was NO backboards in the backboard compartment. Secondly, there were no head beds/towel rolls in the stiff neck bag as well as no extra head beds/towel rolls on the rig. Thirdly, the gurney was short of blankets and pillow and not fully ready for a patient. Lastly, the trash can was over flowing in the back of the medic unit and a pair of used latex gloves was on the floor board of the passenger side. Is this medic unit ready for THE NEXT CALL?
This is not a made up scenario but a real situation recently discovered in our department. Was this medic unit ready for the next call – NO. The frustrating part of this situation is that it would not have been discovered without doing the periodic truck checks and secondly, we were fortunate to discover this situation before the unit was needed to respond to a call that may have required a couple of backboards and some head beds/towel rolls. While one backboard was discovered strapped to the gurney inside the unit, most people would not have looked there for a board but would have looked in the compartment where we always have boards. With the lack of boards in the appropriate compartment two things would happen on a scene. Time would be wast- ed looking on the rig for a board(s) or no one may have looked inside. Valuable time may be wasted. We spe- cifically put pieces of equipment in specific compartments to eliminate wasting time looking for items needed on a scene. The same is true with head beds/towel rolls. We should always have head beds/towel rolls in the stiff neck bag along with extras on the rig. Again, without them, valuable time is wasted looking and trying to help patients. The gurney is no different. Having the gurney properly prepared saves time on scene and keeps individuals from having to scavenge around and look for blankets, pillows and sheets. Finally, having a trash can overflowing with garbage and used gloves improperly discarded is a sign of poor health management on a unit that should be clean and presentable. Leaving a piece of apparatus not ready to respond to a call is not fair to the next member that has to use that rig on THE NEXT CALL, nor is it fair to the patient that may need the very equipment that is missing.
The lesson to be learned is that leaving a medic unit or an engine not ready to roll on the next call is not ac- ceptable. It puts in jeopardy the ability of our department to effectively and efficiently provide the needed services to the people of the district. Restocking and rehabbing a piece of apparatus typically takes only a few extraminutes. Asthedriverofapieceofapparatus,restockingandrehabbingthatpieceofapparatusisoneof the responsibilities that cannot and must not be ignored. Ask the question: “If not you, then who?” Take the time and make sure our units are truly ready for THE NEXT CALL. It is vital to our mission and to our oper- ations.

DEPARTMENT HAPPENINGS
Author :: Steve Ebner
Date :: Tue 08/31/2010 @ 03:19

On the first weekend of August, firefighters from Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District participated in the Tri- State Convention in Mancos.
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On the first weekend of August, firefighters from Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District participated in the Tri- State Convention in Mancos. Classes were offered in the morning with competitions in the afternoon. The Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District competition team was able to bring home three trophies, second place in the two- man competition, third place in the three-man competi- tion, and third place in the comedy skit. I want to thank all those who participated with the classes and the competi- tion. Through your efforts you made the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District shine and I am very proud of each and every one of you. (More about this event on Page 3 of this newsletter.)
The cell tower just south of Red Mesa has been erected and AT&T has begun cabling for the equipment installation. The project is moving forward and should be operational in the next few weeks. I have not been advised when it will go into service, but when I get that information I will pass it on.
The County Road 136 project is moving forward as well. For the last few weeks pit run has been installed as the road base for 4.4 miles, beginning from the gravel pit south. The top of CR 128 has been improved as well. With the im- provement of County Road 136 and County Road 128 we should be able to access, in all weather conditions, all resi- dences in the area that are located on 136, north of County Road 134.
Mark Bauer has announced that he will be leaving the De- partment in mid-September. He has sold his house in the district and will be moving to Durango. Mark has been with the department for 15 years and has served the department in various capacities. Mark has been a very active member with the Department and will truly be missed.
We will be having a retirement party for Bruce Kowalski and Mark Bauer on September 11, starting at 4:00 PM, location to be at Bruce’s house on CR 116. Please mark your calendar and stop in to visit with Mark and Bruce, let’s give these guys a great sendoff as they both have given so much to the Department over the years.
And as people leave, we also welcome new members. Crystal Livingston, Gus Westerman, and Brian Armstrong were all accepted on August 8 by the Board of Directors as Probationary Members of the department. Please be sure to welcome them when you see them at trainings, the sta- tions, or on calls.

HELP WANTED
Author :: Steve Ebner
Date :: Tue 08/31/2010 @ 03:17

We now have 18 trucks in service in our fleet; 5 structure engines, 2 tenders, 2 medic units, 2 rescues, 6 brush trucks, and 1 wa- ter supply engine.
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END OF SUMMER THOUGHTS FROM “702”
Author :: Doug Zalesky
Date :: Tue 08/31/2010 @ 03:16

Summer has slipped by quickly and with little activity in the wildland realm.
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