Archive for May 19th, 2016

Firefighters train to treat dogs

Excerpts from theDailyHerald.com:

More than 20 firefighters and paramedics from departments in central Lake County underwent training recently to help them treat police dogs and civilian pets in emergencies. They learned how to administer fluids intravenously, how to wrap bandages around an injured dog’s head or tail, and how to open an airway through intubation.

The sessions were prompted by questions Mundelein Public Safety Director Eric Guenther had about the police department’s canine, Titan, who joined the force about a year ago.

“What would happen if Titan was injured in the line of duty?” Guenther recalled asking another public safety official. “It’s not something anybody had put too much thought into.”

Veterinarian Alexis Newman led the program showing the firefighters and paramedics how to treat animals injured in fires, car accidents, and other crises. She gave tips for dealing with animals that ingest drugs, ranging from aspirin and Tylenol to heroin and cocaine.

For a real-world example, Newman discussed how police dogs needed medical assistance during the manhunt triggered in September 2015 by the death of a Fox Lake police officer.  More than 40 dogs were part of the search on the first day. It was hot, and hyperthermia was a problem, she said. A few dogs needed intravenous fluids because they were so severely overheated.

The skills firefighters learned can be applied using equipment already on their ambulances.

“We’re not using stuff that we haven’t been taught to use (already),” Mundelein Fire Chief Ben Yoder said.

The training also allows firefighters to transport an injured police dog in a fire department ambulance, something state public health rules otherwise forbid.

thanks Dan

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Building collapse in the North Maine FPD, 5-19-16

North Maine FPD companies responded just after 9AM this morning (5/19/16) to 9955 Linda Lane in unincorporated Des Plaines for an explosion. What is being called a gas explosion caused significant damage to a three-story building. A TRT Box Alarm was requested to the 3rd level for technicians and an EMS Box Alarm was pulled as a precaution. One firefighter and one civilian were reported to be transported to area hospitals with minor injuries.

aftermath of building collapse

Tim Olk photo

fire department technical rescue crews at a building collapse

Tim Olk photo

fire department technical rescue crews at a building collapse

Tim Olk photo

fire department technical rescue crews at a building collapse

Tim Olk photo

fire department technical rescue crews at a building collapse

Tim Olk photo

fire department technical rescue crews at a building collapse

Tim Olk photo

fire department technical rescue crews at a building collapse

Tim Olk photo

more photos at firescenes.net

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River Forest Fire Department news

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

United by a shared mission to help those who need it most, River Forest Township and the River Forest Fire Department have joined forces to better prepare seniors for moments of medical emergency.

This month, they have begun distributing a new ICE (In Case of Emergency) Packet to River Forest residents who are 60-plus years old. The ICE Packet contains a medical information form that can be completed by the resident and stored in one’s freezer, where paramedics can easily locate it. At the same time, seniors will receive a decal to be placed on the front of the freezer to draw paramedics’ attention to the fittingly named ICE Packet.

The Township’s involvement is a natural outgrowth of its mission to serve seniors, including promoting health and safety, said River Forest Township Supervisor Carla Sloan.

The form is an updated version of a document that the River Forest Fire Department has been distributing on a pilot basis for the past few years.

The fire department’s point person is Firefighter/Paramedic Dave Bochenek. He estimated that over the past year or two, 20 to 30 forms have been given to residents at gathering such as block parties and neighborhood association meetings.

River Forest Township has produced 1,500 ICE Packets that it plans to distribute in the coming months, starting with its events during Celebrating Seniors Week, which run through May 19th.

Similar forms have been used in other communities across the country and first responders firefighters have credited it as an ally in providing swifter, safer service, said Bochenek.

The ICE Packet is structured as a questionnaire in which an individual gives an up-to-date snapshot of his or her medical history, such as medications currently being taken as well as prior health conditions. Other elements include a listing of personal emergency contacts, insurance information, and other details designed to give first responders firefighters insight that helps them provide treatment.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act precludes paramedics from storing any of the information, so paramedics encourage people they transport to medical facilities to hold onto their ICE Packets.

“With the ICE Packet,” he continued, “even if the patient is unable to speak, there’s some pertinent medical history that might steer our treatment in a certain direction-and we can do it faster.”

 

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As seen around … Orland Park

This from Kevin Griffin:

I was in orland park and saw the cfd fire academy engine and ladder

Chicago Fire Department training academy fire truck

Kevin Griffin photo

Chicago Fire Department training academy decal

Kevin Griffin photo

Chicago Fire Department training academy fire engine

Kevin Griffin photo

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