Inter--Can​yon Fire Rescue Extricates Three Horses from Horse Trailer

Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue firefighters responded to a truck and trailer accident today to assist with the extrication of three horses from a horse trailer.  The trailer and truck slid from the road in White Deer Valley, in the area of Deer Creek Canyon Park, about 11:30 a.m. this morning.  Firefighters worked to ensure the safety of both emergency responders and the animals during the extrication.  Firefighters were able to gain access to the trailer and release the horses.  The horses had only minor cuts and scrapes and were taken to a neighbor's home for assessment.  The driver of the vehicle was not injured in the accident. 

This is the second horse extrication by ICFR firefighters.  Two years ago ICFR firefighters responded to a horse trapped in a fence and assisted with releasing the animal during heavy snow conditions.

ICFR responds to garage fire on North Canyon Trail

Fire fighters from Inter-Canyon Fire Rescue responded to a garage fire this morning in the Deer Creek Canyon area.  The homeowner at 17611 North Canyon Trail reported the fire this morning at 10:15 a.m.  Firefighters found the garage fully involved upon arrival and the fire was threatening the home and surrounding trees.  Firefighters attacked both the fire in the garage and the fire which had extended into the surrounding grass and trees.  The home was saved with minimal damage to a porch area.  The entire detached garage, two vehicles, a tractor and camper were lost in the blaze.  45 firefighters and 11 pieces of apparatus fought the fire.  The area has limited acces with single lane gravel roads and no water sources.  All of the water used to fight the fire was brought in by fire tenders.  Inter-Canyon Fire Rescue was assisted by firefighters from Elk Creek and Indian Hills Fire Departments.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No one was injured in the fire.

Engine 634 on scene of the garage fire

Engine 631 on North Canyon Trail

Inter-Canyon Fire Rescue Needs You!

Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue is seeking volunteers.  With the steady growth in call volume and the increasing complexity of our responses within the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District, ICFR has a growing need for men and women who want to share the interest of helping others in need.  If you desire to help your community and consider respect and appreciation reward enough for the job you do, please attend any of the ICFR Business Meetings, held the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at ICFR Station One, 7939 South Turkey Creek Road.  The next business meeting will be held on Thursday December 6, 2013.  At any of our business meetings you will have the opportunity to see the ICFR fire, rescue and medical equipment, meet with members of the department and submit your application.

Volunteer firefighters in ICFR are trained and equipped at no cost to the volunteer.  Each volunteer must undergo in-house training, in addition to becoming a Colorado certified firefighter.  Training includes structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, and First Responder EMS training.  Additional training in firefighting and EMS, such as wildland firefighting, EMT, EMT-Intermediate, and Paramedic, is provided at no cost.  Once you start your training, you will be equipped with protective fire fighting gear and a pager.

If you are unable to attend any of the ICFR business meetings you can obtain further information by calling our non-emergency administrative number, 303-697-4413 or pick up an application at headquarters.

Wally West, former ICFPD Board Member, dies at age of 90

An original Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District board member, Wally West, died last week at the age of 90.  A 50-year resident of the area and a retired dentist, West watched and participated in the development of the foothills area sourrounding the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District.  West and the first Inter-Canyon Fire-Rescue Chief Sandy Simon helped ICFR obtain its first engine.  Simon and West remained friends through their years working with ICFR, raised their children in the area and mourned the loss of their wives.  West is survived by his two sons, Mark and Eric, daughter, Anna, and five grandchildren. 

Burn Permits and Controlled Burns Suspended in Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District

Due to current weather and fuel conditions, all burn permits and controlled burns are suspended within Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District.  The fuel moisture content is very low, warmer than normal temperatures are expected in the coming week, and the relative humidity is low.  Burns may be conducted only with specific permission of ICFR.

Tis the season for fire hose testing

Each fall the firefighters of Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue test all of the fire hose on all engines, tenders (water tankers) and the hose stored in the fire stations. 

Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue Engine 631

This involves testing literally miles of hose at high pressures, examining the hose for any defects, rolling and stacking the tested hose and returning it to service.  Ten separate teams spend several hours each testing hose.  The hose is tested at a pressure of 250 psi, much higher than the pressure typically used during firefighting operations.

ICFR uses colored hose to identify each section

Standards for fire hose testing are published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA has published two separate standards for fire hose testing. NFPA Standard 1961 documents the procedures for design verification testing of all new fire hoses and NFPA Standard 1962 documents the testing procedures to be followed for in-service hoses to make sure they can continue to be used.  ICFR follows NFPA guidelines for hose testing.

Consider joining ICFR for the next hose testing season.  Learn more about how to join ICFR by calling our non-emergency number at our office 303-697-4413.

Identify Your Two Ways Out During Fire Prevention Week

If a fire strikes your home, do you have time to escape?  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says a house fire can become life-threatening in minutes.  Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue urges you to take a few minutes during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012, to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” -fire escape planning and practice.

In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.   “One home structure was reported every 85 seconds in 2010,” says Dave MacBean, Chief of Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue. “Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize.  Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways is essential to ensuring your family’s safety should fire break out in your home.” 

Inter-Canyon Fire-Rescue recommends the following tips for planning your family’s escape:

• Install and check proper function of smoke detectors in your home.
• Add a Carbon Monoxide detector to monitor for CO - the silent killer.
• Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
• Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
• Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department (911) on your escape plan.
• Have a grown-up sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.
• Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind grown-ups to have your family practice the plan twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.

ICFR EMS Staff Complete Advanced Stroke Life Support Course

Several additional members of Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue EMS staff have now completed the Advanced Stroke Life Support course offered through Saint Anthony's Hospital. 

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the U.S. 

Emergency treatments to limit the risk of disability are available but underutilized.  A practical stroke patient assessment tool suitable for routine use by EMS personnel, the Miami Emergency Neurologic Deficit Exam (MEND), is used to rapidly assess for stroke. The MEND exam training is an integral part of the ASLS course.

The MEND Exam:

• Is easy to learn, easy to use, & provides key information
• Enhances communication among EMS personnel, nurses, and physicians
• Is based on the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), incorporates the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS), and takes less than 3 minutes to perform

EMS PERSONNEL

• On scene, first perform ABCs (airway, breathing, and circulation) of emergency care
• After ABCs, perform the three step Cincinnati Pre-Hospital Stroke Scale under “D” for disability
• En route, perform full MEND Exam if time allows (but NOT on scene)

Reduce your risks for stroke:
1.  Manage hypertension
2.  Manage diabetes
3.  Quit smoking

As the weather cools, risks for chimney fires heats up

As the weather cools, Inter-Canyon firefighters prepare to respond to chimney fires.  These fires can spread rapidly from the chimney into the surrounding structure and pose unique risks to homeowners and firefighters due to smoke, working on a slippery roof, and the heat of the fire.
More than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when heating with wood and solid fuels.  Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas, such as the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District, every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes. All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently.

Chimney and Fireplace Safety starts with you:

Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean

• Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
• Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
• Leave glass doors open while burning a fire. Leaving the doors open ensures that the fire receives enough air to ensure complete combustion and keeps creosote from building up in the chimney.
• Close glass doors when the fire is out to keep air from the chimney opening from getting into the room. Most glass fireplace doors have a metal mesh screen which should be closed when the glass doors are open. This mesh screen helps keep embers from getting out of the fireplace area.
• Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces that do not have a glass fireplace door.
• Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.
• Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.
• Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.

Safely Burn Fuels

• Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.
• Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
• Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
• When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting grate.
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.

Protect the Outside of Your Home

• Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
• Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.
• Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
• Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.

Protect the Inside of Your Home

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new long life smoke alarms.
• Provide proper venting systems for all heating equipment.
• Extend all vent pipes at least three feet above the roof.

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Recommendations provided by the US Fire Administration

ICFR responds to Deer Creek Canyon Park for Patient with Rattlesnake Bite

On Saturday ICFR medics and firefighters responded into Deer Creek Canyon Open Space Park to assist a patient with a rattlesnake bite.  With assistance from Jefferson County Open Space Rangers, the ICFR staff located the patient, provided Advanced Life Support medications to the patient, and carried the patient out to a waiting Inter-Canyon ambulance, where the patient was transported to a local hospital for additional care.

Although venomous (poisonous) snakes are relatively common in the U.S., bites from venomous snakes are a rare cause of death in this country. While there are about 8,000 venomous snake bites reported each year in the U.S., no more than 12 deaths were reported each year from 1960-1990 as a result of poisonous snake bites.  About half of all reported snake bites occur in children.

Along the Front Range the prevalent rattlesnake is the Western Prairie Rattlesnake.  Contrary to movie and TV mythology, rattlesnakes do not always rattle before striking.

Western Prairie Rattlesnake

What do I do for initial first aid?

 Because many Coloradans live in rattlesnake country, a snakebite emergency plan should be developed before it is needed. If you are less than one hour from the nearest emergency room, initial treatment is relatively simple:

·         Try to calm the victim and call 911.

·         Gently wash the area with soap and water.

·         Apply a cold, wet cloth over the bite.

Several DON'Ts are very important to remember:

·         DON'T apply a tourniquet.

·         DON'T pack the bite area in ice.

·         DON'T cut the wound with a knife or razor.

·         DON'T use your mouth to suck out the venom.

·         DON'T let the victim drink alcohol.

The preceding treatments will NOT help the victim and are dangerous. Applying ice or a tourniquet can block circulation, which can result in gangrene and eventual loss of the limb due to amputation. Cutting the wound can cause excessive bleeding. Because human mouths are full of bacteria, sucking the venom from the wound can cause infection, making treatment more difficult.

ICFR treats patients with a rattlesnake bite by following the Denver Metro EMS Protocols, providing care for symptoms such as pain, itching, nausea and low blood pressure.

Emergency Medical Services at Inter-Canyon Fire Rescue

Initial Training
ICFR requires all firefighters to become certified as a First Responder at a mimimum.  ICFR First Responders can initiate Basic Life Support (BLS) using the BLS kits in each ambulance, engine, and rescue truck in the ICFR fleet.  In addition ICFR First Responders are trained in CPR and AED operation.


EMS Training:
Many of the volunteers at ICFR continue their medical education and become a members of the EMS unit, allowing them to treat and transport patients in the three ICFR ambulances.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment certifies entry level competency of EMS Providers for the State of Colorado. Pre-Hospital providers in Colorado can be certified at one of four different levels: 

1.  Emergency Medical Technician- EMT - provides Basic Life Support Care including oxygen administration, IV therapy and some medications

2.  Advanced EMT - additional training allows for the administration of more medications and patient treatments

3. EMT Intermediate - provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) care with oversight and medical direction

4. Paramedic. - provides ALS care and the full range of pre-hospital treatments

Certification by the CDPHE is based on successful completion of a recognized education course, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician certification, and an application process including a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.

Time required for completion:
First Responder - approximately 40 hours
EMT - approximately 200 hours
EMT-Intermediate - approximately 320 additional hours
Paramedic - approximately 1200 additional hours

Emergency medical services providers are used to staff first ICFR ambulances.  EMS Providers are allowed to perform medical acts as delegated by a Colorado Medical Director.   ICFR EMTs and Paramedics work under the Denver Metro Protocols, defining the care and treatment protocols.  All EMS Providers administering patient care in Colorado are required to have a Medical Director who directs how and where an EMS Provider may practice.  ICFR uses Saint Anthony's Hospital as our Medical Director, contacting the hospital for medical directions and questions.

ICFR Ambulance 683

Continuing Education:

All levels of ICFR providers must recertify as required by the State of Colorado and/or the National Registry of EMTs.  This includes 12-24 hours of annual continuing education.  ICFR provides monthly education at our EMS meetings and members attend additional training in the Denver Metro area and throughout the state.

ICFR Ambulance 682

ICFR EMS members invest significant time in initial and continuing training to provide the best possible pre-hopspital care.  ICFR responds to approximately 250 medical calls each year.

ICFR Ambulance 681

ICFR Firefighters invest time to prepare for response

Before responding to your call for help via 911, each ICFR firefighter invests hundreds of hours in preparing to respond.  These tasks are critical to the response and allow ICFR to respond rapidly with the right equipment, staff and apparatus.  Preparation includes:

Equipment maintenance - Just as your car requires maintenance to run properly, each engine, ambulance, water tender, rescue truck and brush truck requires diligent maintenance to be prepared to respond in all conditions.  Firefighters must maintain not just the vehicle but all of the equipment on the truck.  This includes the vehicle's engine, pumps, foam generators, hose, tools, extrication equipment, medical equipment, lighting, electrical generators, and saws.

Ambulance checks - One of our EMTs or paramedics checks the ambulances to ensure all three ambulances are equipped with the supplies and medications needed to meet or exceed the Denver Metro Protocols (these protocols identify the treatments for our patients), and the State of Colorado ambulance requirements.  All three ICFR ambulances are equipped to meet both the Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) requirements.  In addition, Rescue 684 at Station Four is equipped with both BLS and ALS supplies.

Supply ordering and inventory maintenance - The EMS supplies used to stock our ambulances, rescue trucks and engines must be ordered frequently to maintain the proper inventory.  ICFR works diligently to ensure the right equipment and supplies are available, while monitoring our inventory levels to ensure we meet budgetary guidelines.

Administrative duties - The officers and firefighters of ICFR invest significant time in admiistering the department.  With five fire stations, 50 firefighters and EMS staff, and 15 pieces of apparatus, administrative duties are not the exciting part of ICFR, but must be addressed.

Training - ICFR offers weekly training on various topics to our firefighters and EMS staff.  In addition to the training offered within the district, ICFR staff attends many courses offered throughout the Denver metro area and Colorado.  Structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials response, fire prevention, fire investigation, and fire inspection are just a few of the training topics.

All of this time is invested before your call for help via 911.

Basic Wildland Firefighter Training

Initial Training:
The volunteer firefighters at ICFR must all complete basic wildland firefighter training.  This training includes several courses developed and approved by the federal National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).  The basic wildland firefighting courses include:

S-130 Basic Wildland Firefighting
S-190  Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Annual Training:
Following the initial course completion ICFR firefighters (like all federal, state and local wildland firefighters) must complete an annual safety refresher course and pack test:

Safety Refresher course - eight hour course each year focusing on fire behavior and safety
Pack Test - each firefighter must carry a 45 pound pack three miles in under 45 minutes to ensure physicial endurance and work capacity

Firefighters must maintain both the annual Safety Refresher and Pack Test to receive a "Red Card" which is required to work on major fires.

Advanced Training:
Many ICFR wildland firefighters have completed advanced course in fire behavior, wildland firefighter leadership, fire and team management, safety, Command and General Staff level courses, and engine/crew boss leadership.

These courses exceed the minimum training requirements to maintain current status

ICFR paramedics obtain 12 lead ECG in the field to shorten time to hospital treatment

An article in the Wall Street Journal this week pointed out that paramedics obtaining an ECG in the field before arrival in the hospital can shorten time to treatment.  ICFR paramedics and EMT-Intermediates routinely obtain and interpret a 12 lead ECG in the field.  The 12 lead ECG above is an example of a normal ECG.  Our staff can then notify the hospital of any ECG changes and alert the emergency room and cardiac catheterization lab of the patient's condition.  The patient can often bypass the emergency room and be taken directly to the cardiac catheterization lab for immediate intervention.

You can read the Wall Street Journal article at:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444554704577643702705179164.html

  

ICFR Firefighter narrowly misses First Place in Firefighter Challenge at Big Chili Cook Off

ICFR firefighter Scott St. John narrowly missed first place in the Big Chili Cook-Off last Sunday.  Scott completed the grueling time trial demonstrating firefighter skills and missed first place by only seconds.  Congratulations to Scott and thanks to all of the firefighters who partcipated.  Photo courtesy of Michael Davis - Elk Creek Fire Department.

ICFR takes home Green Chili First Prize

The 11th Annual Big Chili Cook-Off, Music & Arts Festival was held Sunday, September 9.  The event was held at the Evergreen Lake House, located at 29614 Upper Bear Creek Road in Evergreen.  The spectacular day featured a chili cook-off competition between many firefighter teams from the local departments.

ICFR firefighter Bob Pastor's "How Green is my Valley" green chili took home first place for green chilis.  Thanks to all of the firefighters and citizens for their work in supporting the area fire departments.

The Big Chili Cook-Off supports local fire departments and remembers those lost on 9/11.

Congratulations to Bob!

Big Chili Cookoff in Evergreen Sunday

Sunday, September 9, 2012 is the annual BIG CHILI Cook-off at Evergreen Lake House. Tickets are $15.00 at the door (no dogs allowed, with the exception of Service Dogs).

Scott St. John will be proudly representing Inter-Canyon Fire Rescue in the firefighter challenge. He needs our cheering and support. He will be competing against the five other area Fire Departments.

ICFR has six chili’s entered and we need your votes; consider the following:

Blazing Saddles – red - #39A Belva Wildman

Shot Gun Willies – green - #39B Belva Wildman

The Hunt for Red October – red - #39D Kent Harris

Soy lent Green – green - #39E Kent Harris

Carlos (the Hangover Baby) – green - #39F Zoe Algien

How Green is My Valley – green #39G Bob Pastor

Proceeds benefit the area Fire Departments. The gates open at 10:30 am and the Music starts playing at 10:30. The lineup is great, playing all the way until 5pm. We start serving chili at 11:00 am. The Fire Fighters Competition is at 12:30 pm. The times are always subject to change slightly.

Fuel Moisture Content

Severe wildfires have been burning more wildland and more houses in recent years. Many factors play a role in both the increasing intensity of the wildfires and the resulting destruction of home.  Some assert that climate change is at least partly to blame; others claim that the increasing number of homes in and near the forest (the

wildland-urban interface) is a major cause. However, most observers agree that wildfire suppression and historic land management practices have led to unnaturally high accumulations of fuels in many wildland-urban interface areas. While high intensity conflagrations (wildfires that burn the forest canopy) occur naturally in some forests (crown-fire or stand-replacement fire ecosystems), abnormally high fuels littering the forest can lead to conflagrations in wildland-urban interface areas when such crown fires were rare in the past.

Fuel moisture content is critical, but is generally a function of weather patterns over hours, days, and weeks.  This year's weather patterns have produced extremely low fuel moisture content.  Fuel size is also important—fine and small fuels (e.g., needles, grasses, leaves, small twigs) are key to fire spread, while larger fuels (e.g., twigs larger than pencil-diameter, branches, and logs) contribute primarily to fire intensity; both are important to minimizing fire damages. Fuel distribution can also affect damages. Relatively continuous fuels improve burning, and vertically continuous fuels—fuel ladders—can lead a surface fire into the canopy, causing a conflagration.  Lastly, total fuel accumulations (fuel loads) also contribute to fire intensity and damage.

Fuel moisture content may be the most important single property controlling ignition and spread of fire in the wildland-urban interface. 

This is because moisture in live or dead fuels requires heat to evaporate the moisture so the fuel can burn. The moisture content - measured as the amount of water (by weight) as a percent of the weight of oven-dried wood, grass or other fuel - of live, green foliage fluctuates widely, from less than 100% (i.e. more oven-dry fuel than water) to more than 200% (i.e., more than twice as much water as oven-dry fuel), depending largely on weather in the preceding days and weeks.  Dead fuels also contains water, but at much lower levels, typically ranging from near 100% to as little as 10%. Fire ignitions depend on an energy source or spark (e.g., from a match, cigarette, chainsaw, or from lightning) and fuel with a moisture content below approximately 20-30%.  However, once a fire is started, fuels with a moisture content of 100% can burn, especially if the fire is driven by high winds as are commonly seen along the Front Range of Colorado.

Potential wildfire fuels are generally described by the time (in hours) that it takes for the moisture content of the fuels to decline by about two-thirds.  During a fire the fuels must first lose moisture before ignition. 

The smallest diameter fuels, also called fine fuels or flash fuels, are the 1-hour time lag fuels—needles, leaves, grass, etc.—both on the surface and in the tree crowns that dry out (lose two-thirds of their moisture content) in about an hour. The next size class is 10-hour time lag fuels—woody twigs and branches, up to a quarterinch in diameter (about the diameter of a pencil). The larger size classes are the 100-hour time lag fuels (up to 3 inches in diameter) and 1000-hour time lag fuels (more than 3 inches in diameter).

Currently the 1000-hour fuels along the Front Range have a fuel moisture content of 6-16%.  For comparison the timber which you purchase at the lumber yard has been dried in a kiln to a moisture content of approximately 12%.  This means that many of the large fuels are as dry as kiln dried lumber.  The lighter, flashy fuels can dry out in an hour and support lighting of the heavier fuels.

Please exercise caution with all ingition sources.  If you see or smell smoke you can call 911.  ICFR firefighters will respond and check out any possible smoke or fires.

Seat Belts Save LIves

Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue urges you to buckle up.  When the paramedics, EMTs and firefighters of ICFR arrive on the scene of an automobile we are always relieved to see the vehicle occupants uninjured or suffering relatively minor injuries.

Seat Belt Safety
Across the US, on back roads and superhighways seat belts save lives.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 15,000 lives are saved each year in the United States because drivers and their passengers were wearing seat belts when they were in accidents.

Seat Belt Safety: 5-Way Protection
Seat belts prevent occupants of the vehicle from serious injury in five ways.  Your seat belt:

• Keeps the occupants of the vehicle inside. It’s clearly a myth that people are better off being thrown clear from the crash.  People thrown from a vehicle are four times more likely to be killed than those who remain inside.
• Restrains the strongest parts of the body.  Restraints are designed to contact your body at its strongest parts. For an older child and adult, these parts are the hips and shoulders, which is where the seat belt should be strapped.
• Spreads out any force from the collision.  Lap-and-shoulder belts spread the force of the crash over a wide area of the body. By putting less stress on any one area, they can help you avoid serious injury.  A shoulder strap also helps keep your head and upper body away from the dashboard, steering wheel, and other hard interior parts of the automobile should you stop suddenly or be hit by another vehicle.
• Helps the body to slow down.  Te rapid change in speed (deceleration and impact) is what causes injury.  Seat belts help extend the time it takes for you to slow down in a crash.
• Protects your brain and spinal cord.  A seat belt is designed to protect these two critical areas. Head injuries may be hard to see immediately, but they can be deadly. or have long-term serious consequences.

Seat Belt Safety: Buckle Up Correctly
Adjusting your seat belt properly is a must:  Getting the right fit is as important as wearing it. The strap that goes across your lap should fit snugly over your hips and upper thigh area.  If the belt rides up on the stomach, it could cause serious injuries in a crash.

Shoulder belts should rest securely across your chest and shoulders between your breasts. Don’t ever let the strap fall across your neck or face and never place the strap under your arms or behind your back.  Any one of these positions can cause serious injury.

Seat Belt Safety: Rules for Infants and Children
Children re not small adults — they need specialized protection in a moving vehicle. Age, height, and weight determine the safest way for a child to travel.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, here’s how to select the right option for your child:

• Rear-facing child safety seat. Children under age 1 and those who weigh less than 20 pounds should sit in rear-facing, child safety seats approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The seats should be placed in the backseat of the car.
• Forward-facing child safety seat. Children older than 1 who weigh more than 20 pounds should ride in forward-facing child safety seats. The seat should be placed in the rear of the vehicle until the child reaches the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat. Typically, a child will outgrow a safety seat around age 4 and once she reaches about 40 pounds.
• Booster seat. Children age 4 and older who weigh more than 40 pounds should ride in booster seats. A child can safely progress to a seat belt when the belt fits properly across the upper thighs and chest.
• Seat belt. When children outgrow their booster seats, they can use seat belts, but they still should sit in the back of the vehicle.

Seat Belt Safety: A Clear Message
The National Safety Council recently reported a drop in traffic fatalities for the past few years, indicating a record low since the 1920s when it began publishing statistical reports. One reason given for the decline is the increased use of seat belts.  It takes only a few seconds to buckle up once you get in the car.

Decline in Volunteer Firefighters Nationwide

When the National Fire Protection Association released its latest figures on the number of firefighters in the United States in October of 2011, an alarm went off in the volunteer sector. That's because the number of volunteer firefighters was at its lowest since 1991.

This is cause for concern, but just how much concern?  If this trend continues, the volunteer service may reach a crisis state.  Another figure that jumps out of the report concerns the number of firefighters per 1,000 residents they protect. For both career and volunteer fire departments, 2010 marks the lowest rate since NFPA began collecting data in 1986. 

An article published in the New York Times this past weekend points out that the increased costs of providing Emergency Medical Services with reduced or no reimbursement is straining many fire departments.  Providing Emergency Medical Services is expensive but nationwide the call for Emergency Medical Services is the most common fire department response.

Causes of the decline in volunteer firefighters include changes in society; longer commutes, two-income households, year-round sports, loss of jobs in smaller communities, new residents who may not know that they are served by volunteers, declining tax bases, increased training requirements, an aging population and the lure of career firefighting positions in larger communities.

Facts from the National Volunteer Fire Council:

• Volunteers comprise 71% of firefighters in the United States.

Of the total estimated 1,148,100 volunteer and paid firefighters across the country, 812,150 are volunteer.

• Communities served by volunteer firefighters depend on them to be their first line of defense for many types of emergencies.

Volunteer firefighters are summoned to a wide array of emergencies across the country every day including fires, emergency medical incidents, terrorist events, natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, water rescue emergencies, high-angle and confined space emergencies, and other general public service calls. The public relies on the volunteer emergency services to be their first line of defense in these emergencies. Volunteers spend an enormous amount of time training to prepare for these emergencies.

• The majority of fire departments in the United States are volunteer.

Of the total 30,165 fire departments in the country, 20,857 are all volunteer; 5,099 are mostly volunteer; 1,752 are mostly career; and 2,457 are all career.

How can you help?

Call your local volunteer fire department and volunteer your time.

If you are a resident of Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District call 303-697-4413.

ICFR firefighters and engines at White Deer Valley neighborhood picnic

Firefighters, engines, brush trucks and rescue trucks will be at the White Deer Vally neighborhood picnic this Sunday.  Citizens can meet the firefighters who seve their area, see the apparatus from Station Four, and try their hand at squirting some water.  We hope the residents of White Deer Valley will join us.

Bicycle Safety In Deer Creek Canyon

Deer Creek Canyon is a popular bicycling location and each year Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue responds to many bicycle accidents.  While the number of injured bicyclists has declined in recent years, we hope to continue to reduce the number of injuries.  ICFR would like to encourage motorists and bicyclists to obey all laws and respect each other on the road.

Bicyclists have all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle and can be penalized for violating traffic laws. Obey traffic laws, signs and signals   Ride in the right lane, except when passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn or avoiding hazards

• Ride no more than two abreast, returning to single-file if riding two abreast would impede the flow of traffic
• On curving canyon roads without bike lanes or shoulders, play it safe and ride single file unless necessary
• Use hand signals to indicate right or left turns, slowing or stopping
• Use a headlight, taillight and reflectors at night
• Act like a vehicle on the roads -- bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities 
• Never assume motorists, deer or other cyclists see you.
   
• Wear appropriate gear to protect yourself: helmet, glasses and gloves.  Too many bicyclists hang their helmets on the handlebars, not on their heads.
• Expect the unexpected; your first responsibility is to be safe.  Bicyclists have been injured in Deer Creek Canyon, by collisions with the roadway due to gravel, and even the deer who live in the canyon.

Women and Heart Attacks

Although men and women can experience chest pressure that feels like an elephant sitting across the chest, women can experience a heart attack without chest pressure.  Rather women may experience shortness of breath, pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, indigestion, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue.  Even when the signs are subtle, the consequences can be deadly, especially if the victim doesn’t get help right away.

Even though heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, women often chalk up the symptoms to less life-threatening conditions like acid reflux, the flu or normal aging.  A "heart attack" (also known as a myocardial infarction or MI) occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. This happens because the arteries that supply the heart with blood can slowly become thicker and harder from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances (plaque).
Many women think the signs of a heart attack are unmistakable — the image of the elephant standing on the chest comes to mind — but in fact they can be subtler and sometimes confusing.  Some women experiencing a heart attack describe upper back pressure that feels like squeezing or a rope being tied around them.  Dizziness, lightheadedness or actually fainting are other symptoms to look for. 

If you experience these symptoms call 911.  Emergency Medical Service crews can provide an early diagnosis, treatment and rapid access to appropriate hospital care.

Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue paramedics use the latest Denver Metro Paramedic Protocols to evaluate symptoms of heart attack and begin treatment in the field.

Electrical Safety in Your Home

Electrical hazards can cause burns, shocks and electrocution (death).

• Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated.
• Never touch a fallen overhead power line. Call the electric utility company to report fallen electrical lines.
• Stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from overhead wires during cleanup and other activities. If working at heights or handling long objects, survey the area before starting work for the presence of overhead wires.
• If an overhead wire falls across your vehicle while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not leave your vehicle. Warn people not to touch the vehicle or the wire. Call or ask someone to call the local electric utility company and emergency services.
• Never operate electrical equipment while you are standing in water.
• Never repair electrical cords or equipment unless qualified and authorized.
• Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before energizing it.
• If working in damp locations, inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects, and use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
• Always use caution when working near electricity.
• Don't overload extension cords.

Hip Fractures in the Elderly

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adults over age 65 fall each year.  Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in elderly patients and the death rate from falls increased steadily from 1988-2010.

In 2011, more than 1.6 million seniors were seen in emergency departments for fall injuries, resulting in 388,000 hospitalizations. Most of the fall-related hospitalizations were related to hip fractures. It is estimated that 98% of hip fractures are in the elderly.

Hip fractures in children, adolescents and adults under age 65 are rare and are most likely a result of high-speed sports collisions, motor vehicle collisions or falls from a significant height.

Significance of Hip Fractures in the Elderly
There are a number of reasons why hip fractures in the elderly are so significant:

• They cause more deaths than fractures from other falls.
• They lead to the most severe health complications during hospitalization and rehabilitation.
• They lead to reduced quality of life through prolonged hospitalization, institutionalization, loss of mobility and loss of confidence.
• After treatment and rehabilitation, about half of hip fracture patients are no longer able to walk independently.

Things you can do include:

• If you are in a home and see a risk factor like poor lighting or a loose area rug, point out the risk to the patient and family bystanders.
• Encourage patients to stay physically active.
• Ask your relatives if they have a home medical alert service they can use to call for help.
• Encourage the family to install grab rails in the bathroom.
• Instruct the family member on proper use of assistive devices, like canes and walkers.

Remove tripping hazards like throw rugs and clutter in walkways; install nonslip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors; install grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower; install handrails on both sides of stairways; and improve lighting throughout the home.  Reducing risks reduces the potential for hip fractures.

Jefferson County Commissioner to hold public meetings regarding motorist/bicycle safety

Jefferson County Commissioner Donald Rosier is hosting three public meetings to address community concerns regarding motorist / bicyclist safety throughout Jefferson County. The meetings will be held at the following times and locations:

Evergreen/ Conifer MeetingAugust 16, 2012,  5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.               
Buchanan Park Recreation Center 
32003 Ellingwood Trail 
Evergreen, CO 80437

Deer Creek Canyon Meeting August 20, 2012, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  
Ken-Caryl Ranch House 
7676 S. Continental Divide Road 
Littleton, CO 80127

Lookout Mountain Meeting August 22, 2012, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
Lookout Mountain Nature Center 
910 Colorow Road 
Golden, CO  80401

Incident Command System

ICFR uses the Incident Command System to manage all incidents, small to large. When responding to any emergency inside the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District or as mutual aid to another District we all work for one Incident Commander.

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a management system used by emergency responders to command, control and coordinate emergency operations. ICS integrates all the critical components of an emergency operation -- facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications -- within a common organizational structure.

Important features of ICS include:

• Wide applicability across all emergency management disciplines;
• Used to organize both near-term and long-term field operations;
• Used for a broad spectrum of emergencies, from small to complex;
• Used by all levels of government.

ICS was developed more than 30 years ago by the fire service. In the 1970s, as California firefighters battled a series of massive wildfires, they found that one of their most significant challenges was not always the fire. With no standardized management structure or system to categorize resources, internal confusion, conflicting priorities, mismatched resources, and miscommunication hampered emergency response efforts. In 1972, an inter-agency task force called FIRESCOPE was created to standardize wildfire fighting operations, and ICS was born.
Today, ICS is one of the principle components of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) established under Presidential Homeland Security Presidential Directive No. 5. This directive requires all emergency responders to utilize a common management structure in response to all domestic incidents.
ICS Functional Areas
ICS is organized into functional areas called sections. Each section describes an activity (or group of related activities) that are considered essential parts of the disaster operation. For minor incidents, one person may be capable of performing several functions; on large or complex incidents, each ICS section may represent several dozen disaster workers, each charged with specific responsibilities.
Incident Command - Has overall responsibility for managing the disaster operation;
Public Information - Communicates with media and others seeking information about the incident operation;
Liaison - Serves as point-of-contact with other disaster relief agencies, governmental organizations, and utilities;
Safety - Assesses safety and security risks and recommends action to protect all disaster personnel;
Operations - Manages all direct service activities, such as firefighting;
Logistics - Secures and manages resources (including supplies and equipment) necessary to support the operation;
Finance & Administration - Manages reports, statistics, personnel, volunteers and accounting for the disaster operation;
Planning - Develops an incident action plan to accomplish operational objectives; collects and evaluates information.

Wildland Firefighter Training

Wildland firefighting is a lot of hard work in dry, hot and dangerous conditions.  First of all, these particular fires are prevalent in distant and inaccessible places. As a result, this means hiking for miles in steep and rocky terrain. In addition, the actual job of controlling and outing the fire means creating a fireline with tools among other things.

Wildland Firefighter Training: Training Areas
The basic Wildland firefighting course consists of two courses - firefighting and fire behavior with a strong dose of safety.  Each year a Wildland firefighter safety course is also required by Inter-Canyon Fire Rescue.
Wildland Firefighter Training: Classes
The fundamental classes are the S-130 Firefighter Training and the S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior.  From there literally dozens of additional courses are available.
 Firefighter Training: Physical Demands
Physical fitness is essential to the safety and success of the team members and everyone else who may be affected. Each wildland firefighter is required to meet particular physical requirements when commencing a job at the beginning of each season. You are required to pass a work capacity test (WCT). The WCT entails the “pack test”. This is a three mile walk with a 45 pound pack. They give you 45 minutes to complete the walk (no running or jogging). Your wildland firefighter training regimen should definitely consist of physical challenges which include running with heavy weights, and hiking so that you’ll be ready for the federal WCT required by ICFR.