Todays News

Gladbrook firefighters showcase extraction skills during community meet and greet

Need for Fire, Ambulance volunteers persists

GLADBROOK -- Gladbrook firefighters put on a spark of a show for those in attendance at the Gladbrook-Lincoln Ambulance community meet and greet last Sunday by capping off the event with an extraction demonstration in the fire station back parking lot.

"Usually, on a scene, you have what they call the 'golden hour.' So you've got a certain amount of time, depending on what the injury is, [to get the victim out]. If they're just stuck and they can't get out, it's not a big deal, but if it's somebody that's unconscious, bleeding, leg problems or something underneath, you're going [to work] faster," Gladbrook Fire & Rescue Secretary-Treasurer Mark Lowry explained as his fellow firefighters worked to essentially force the front of a demo car away from the seats as if someone was trapped inside.

The demonstration, which took a little more than 30 minutes, was not just for the public but also a learning experience for at least four new firefighters including Carrie and Matt Eilderts, Wyatt Jackson, and Owen Koester who are all currently enrolled in Firefighter 1 training class, Lowry said.

To begin, firefighters used a special saw to cut the windshield out after which they moved onto the four doors, popping the back of each door open before cutting through the hinges using a hydraulic cutter and hydraulic spreader as well as the more versatile combi tool. The roof was then peeled off and left flapping on the backside. It was tough work, made even tougher with the humidity which led to Lowry passing out water.

The group then tackled the final task -- pushing the car apart or "rolling the dash" by using a hydraulic ram. Prior to the demonstration, Chief Matt Koester explained what exactly that all entailed.

"We'll peel the roof back and then we'll do the dash roll, which is if you're in a car accident and the dash is smashed on your leg. Or sometimes your foot will get underneath the brake pedal or gas pedal, and you can't get your foot out unless you roll that dash up to give some room to get the person out."

Unlike in a real accident, the demo car was fairly uncrushed which unfortunately made for a trickier, longer process due to less nooks and crannies in which to anchor equipment. When asked to comment on the amount of time it took Sunday, Lowry explained that firefighters often have to improvise.

"A lot of times, anymore, a lot of the ambulance services - if we can get the door off and they can get in to get them out, they'll just get them out. They'll just go. It's gonna hurt, we gotta get you out," he said. "[In other circumstances], you can't access someone, like they're trapped ... you got to cut."

As part of his role as the department's training officer, Lieutenant Craig Sash spent much of the demonstration assisting newer members. When contacted following the open house for comment, Sash said he was pleased with Sunday's results.

"I was very happy with how it went. We have a fair amount of younger and newer members and getting their hands on the tools in as close to a real world scenario as possible is fantastic. So while the demonstration took a little longer than I'd have liked, it's invaluable to get tools in people's hands and get the feel for what they do and how they operate."

Volunteers needed

Both Gladbrook Fire & Rescue and the Gladbrook-Lincoln Ambulance are always looking for more volunteers. The Ambulance in particular could use more drivers, Director Kern Kemp told the newspaper during the meet and greet. As of press time, the Ambulance counted three drivers and six providers among its ranks with three more providers currently going through orientation.

"We are actively looking for drivers," Kemp said. "I would like to at least double [our numbers]. But the community is pretty small. I'm the only paid person, and I'm only here three days per week. I'm looking forward to the day when I'm doing quality control."

While the Gladbrook-Lincoln Ambulance's coverage area may be on the smaller side in terms of population, it is large geographically - spanning some 88 square miles, Kemp said. Thankfully, the fire department has been available to assist in a pinch.

"Gladbrook Fire is very good about providing a driver," Kemp said. "There's usually someone here pretty quick. But I could easily use six to eight more drivers so people don't have to take multiple shifts (each week)."

The need for volunteers is certainly not unique to the Ambulance nor to Gladbrook. Rural first responders are needed throughout Tama County - a county with zero hospitals and fewer and fewer clinics.

"This is a local ambulance supported by local tax dollars. I want to keep it serving our local community," Kemp said.

For more information on joining the Ambulance, contact Kemp at 641-473-2281.