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 | Pinellas Park Fire Forms New Tactical Team |
 It’s a typical movie scene…the bad guy is holed up in a house with hostages and officers have the place surrounded. Suddenly the big SWAT truck pulls up and out jumps…a firefighter? Okay, maybe it’s not a typical movie scene, but in real life, some firefighters are teaming up with officers, trading hoses for guns and bunker coats for bullet-proof vests. Meet the SWAT Medics; a group of medically and tactically trained firefighters who can provide immediate care to officers or victims wounded during a hostage situation, stand-off, or other special mission. Instead of waiting a few blocks away at a staging area, these medics are part of the team and can react immediately to life threatening situations.
Pinellas Park Fire Department embraced the SWAT Medic concept last year at the suggestion of Fire Chief Doug Lewis. Tryouts were held in October, with members of the Pinellas Park Police SWAT team putting firefighters through extensive exercises, obstacle courses, and scenarios that pushed them mentally and physically. After tryouts, three Pinellas Park firefighters qualified and went on to attend Basic SWAT School and SWAT Medic School before being placed on the team: EMS Lt. Mike Elder, Firefighter/Paramedic Shawn Conrad, and Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Mitchell. High stress and physical fitness are part of the job, and a SWAT medic must be able to function and give accurate medical care in hostile situations that traditionally trained medics may never encounter. In addition to treating injuries on scene, medics are responsible for keeping each SWAT team member healthy by making sure they take breaks and drink plenty of fluids during training and special operations to prevent over-heating and de-hydration. Pinellas Park SWAT Medics are weapons certified and train often at the shooting range, but are not armed. Their role when treating a downed officer or armed civilian is to know how to locate and remove the weapon and safely holster it. In some cases though, they may have to use a firearm to protect themselves or their patient. The Pinellas Park Police SWAT team and the SWAT Medics train side by side ten hours a month. They are planning another tryout session for medics in October. |
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Posted by admin on Wednesday, August 02 @ 12:54:19 EDT (3529 reads)
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| ''Kids Invade Pinellas Park Fire'' |
Written by: Suzanne Boisvert, Public Education Specialist
Parents across the country took their kids out of school on April 27 and put them to work for the annual "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day". The event encourages parents to take their kids to work to show them what their jobs are like. Several parents (and grandparents) with Pinellas Park Fire Department brought their kids to Station 33 for a day of "intense firefighter training". Twenty kids ranging in age from 7 to 14 were placed in five separate companies; truck, engine, rescue, squad, and pumper. The day began with teams competing in a "medic box race" to be the first to find all the medical equipment in each box. The companies then took turns rotating through several drills that gave them a real life view of what their parents do each day. Under extremely close supervision, the kids donned bunker gear and used actual fire and rescue equipment in each scenario. They practiced fire suppression, search and rescue, rapid intervention, auto extrication, and some emergency medical procedures. Probably the most fun they had was using a life-net to catch "victims" (stuffed animals) as they "fell" (okay, they were thrown) from the roof of Station 33. After drills, all the companies cleaned the station and washed the apparatus. Finally, it was time for lunch. The kids were served hamburgers and hotdogs followed by Klondike bars for dessert. After lunch everybody relaxed and watched a slide show presentation of the day's activities.
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Posted by admin on Wednesday, August 02 @ 12:51:22 EDT (3431 reads)
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| Pinellas Park Competes in Extrication Challenge |
Written by: Suzanne Boisvert, Public Education Specialist
The PPFD Extrication Team made their debut at the 2006 Southeast Regional Extrication Challenge on June 1 & 2 at the Harborview Center in Clearwater. 15 teams from across the southeast came to the competition to demonstrate their skills in vehicle extrication. Each vehicle crash scenario was set up like the real thing…damaged cars, victims, and limited time to remove the patient from the wreckage using hand tools, pneumatic tools, and hydraulic tools such as the Jaws of Life. PPFD placed 13 out of 15…a great showing for a rookie team. Most importantly, the skills and techniques used for these events greatly enhance the response and service citizens receive on our own streets. Congratulations to the team and a big Thank You to those who came out to cheer them on at the competition.
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Posted by admin on Wednesday, August 02 @ 12:15:25 EDT (4186 reads)
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| Be Prepared & Take Action Now! |
Anonymous writes "Hurricane Season: June 1-November 30
Hurricanes, flooding, and tornadoes have emphasized the need for everyone to be prepared. The steps listed below are just a few that you can take to prepare for hurricane season. Please obtain a copy of a hurricane guide available at various locations throughout the county for a more comprehensive list.
Non-Evacuation Zones:
Have a family disaster plan Stay alert to storm advisories Purchase a NOAA weather radio Keep a Disaster Supply Kit ready Have enough food and water for at least three days Protect valuable do*****ents Make your home more disaster resistant – Prepare to board up windows and glass doors, anchor loose yard objects or bring them inside Get cash – following a hurricane, banks and ATMs may be closed Fill your car with gasoline Have a pet plan Listen to your local officials. Evacuate if told to do so.
Evacuation Zones:
Stay alert to storm advisories Enact your family disaster plan Map out your route – Use travel routes specified by local authorities, DO NOT get on the road without a place to go. Fill your car with gasoline Evacuate if told to do so – DO NOT get stranded, evacuate early! Enact your pet plan Bring your disaster supply kit, include important do*****ents Secure your home before leaving – Board up windows and glass doors, anchor loose yard objects or bring them inside and lock your doors Get cash Notify family and friends of your plans When evacuating: If possible, evacuate to the home of either friends or family in a non-vulnerable area within your county. Next try a motel or hotel and as a last resort go to a shelter. Remember, shelters are not designed for comfort and do not usually accept pets.
For more information call Pinellas Park Fire Department at 727-541-0713
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Posted by admin on Thursday, February 16 @ 12:22:36 EST (4650 reads)
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| A Reminder from Pinellas Park Fire: Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries |
Anonymous writes "Sunday, April 2 is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, the day we “spring forward” and move our clocks ahead one hour. It’s also the day we replace our smoke alarm batteries. The Pinellas Park Fire Department recommends that smoke alarm batteries be replaced twice a year. So, while you’re changing your clocks, why not slip some fresh batteries in your smoke alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms fail most often because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries. Smoke Alarm Safety Tips: · Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home and outside each sleeping area. · Because smoke rises, alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings. Place wall mounted alarms 4-12 inches from the ceiling. Position ceiling mounted alarms 4 inches away from the nearest wall and away from corners. · Do not place smoke alarms near a window, door or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with their operation. · Test smoke alarms once a month by using the alarm’s test button. · Clean the units in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions so that dust does not interfere with smoke alarm’s operation. · Replace all smoke alarms immediately upon moving into a new home. · Keep batteries in smoke alarms; do not borrow them for other purposes. · The average life span of a smoke alarm is about 10 years. Replace your smoke alarms if they are 10 years old or older. · While smoke alarms alert people to fire, families still need to develop and practice home fire escape plans so that they can get out quickly. Pinellas Park Fire Department provides one free smoke alarm to homeowners within our fire coverage area. For details on the program please call: Pinellas Park Fire Department Fire and Life Safety Division 541-0713
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Posted by admin on Thursday, February 16 @ 12:22:03 EST (5023 reads)
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