The local law enforcement support organization, the Oneida County Deputies, is dedicated to serving as a public support system for area law enforcement.  Since its inception, the group has sought to promote a close relationship between citizens of the community and the various law enforcement and emergency services that keep it safe.  When the Deputies meet, they use the opportunity to learn more about the operations of those services.  

Last week, the group was given an overview of the Fire station and its facilities in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Month.  The group was given the same basic tour as the traditional elementary school tour that kids are given during October, along with some additional details.

The Deputies met at the Fire Station at noon for pizza from the Pizza Stop.  Arne Jones began the meeting by providing a report from the Sheriff’s Office.  Jones reported that the dispatchers were fielding up to 1800 calls a week, with 90-100 new investigations.  Currently, the county has ten people currently incarcerated (in Caribou county).  Those incarcerations have mostly been due to probation violations and drug offenses.  The Sheriff also reported that an increased  tour number of indigent people have been dropped off in town in the last few months.

The Sheriff also spoke to the group about some new forensic developments through ISU’s Anthropology lab in regards to Oneida County’s oldest cold case, involving the discovery of bodies near Weston.  The story will be followed and updated as more official information becomes available.  

Following the Sheriff’s presentation, John Williams spoke to the group about some of the new equipment the fire department has recently purchased, as well as their standard equipment.  The presentation began with Elaine Bohn demonstrating the full turnouts used in the course of fire responses.  Williams and others on hand with experience responding to fires reiterated how heavy and hot the equipment could become in the face of a summer fire.  

Other equipment, such as the SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) and Thermal Imagining Camera were also demonstrated.  The SCBA allows firefighters an independent breathing supply to avoid carbon monoxide and smoke inhalation.

  “The kids love to see these things—we show them how when you push the button you sound like Darth Vader,” Williams laughed.  He further explained that the real value in the demonstration was in letting the children become familiar with the sound of someone wearing the mask, so that if they are confronted with a fire situation they won’t be scared of the rescue workers, which can sometimes happen with younger victims.

The thermal imaging camera allows firefighters to detect hotspots in a structure fire.  “We had a fire in a chimney this winter where we all thought it was out and we were good.  But this camera showed us that there were still hotspots remaining.  Those could have reignited the fire, so it saved us a lot of potential damage to have this thing,” Williams said.  “That’s right,” added Jerry Thomas.  “This is a good way to make sure what we think is out is actually out.”

Williams also went through some of the acronyms they use to peak with kids about fire safety.  “RACE,” for instance, stands for “Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Evacuate” and describes the priority of action for on scene fire responses.  “PASS” is a phrase that helps remind people about the order of operations for a fire extinguisher: “Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.”

The fire department also has CO2 and combustible gas detectors, which helps them determine the presence of dangerous gasses.  This can be used to respond to CO2 alarms and potential propane leaks, among other emergencies.  The fact that the elevation between town and the summit can determine the proper settings for gas line hookups was also discussed. It was also mentioned that the hookup settings for natural gas and propane are different, and can cause dangerous conditions if they are not done correctly.  The fire department encouraged anyone concerned about the setup of their gas lines or related fittings to contact them for a safety inspection.

The Deputies were given the opportunity to try on the turnouts for themselves and see just how heavy they can be.  Williams commented that “it’s a great day when your seniority means you get to stay behind and man the truck!”

Speaking of trucks, the tour then moved on to the bay, where Williams and Thomas discussed the various vehicles in use by the department.  Most of the vehicles currently in use were secured through a combination of grants, donations, volunteer restoration, and a program that provides decommissioned military vehicles to emergency service providers.  The military vehicles are required to be modified and painted within two years of their acquisition, but can serve a wide range of potential uses.  “The fact that taxpayer money doesn’t go to acquire these vehicles is phenomenal,” Williams noted, referring to most of the engines in the bay.

The tour then moved on to demonstrate the equipment and training involved in the trucks themselves, from the water tanks to the hose punch (used to provide access for firehoses into attics and other inaccessible areas.  Williams described the training courses designed for the firefighters, which involve following a firehose with a covered helmet to simulate sightless conditions, and other tasks.  

The meeting ended with the Deputies having the chance to try shooting the fire hose, which is always the highlight of the kids’ visit to the station.  It was no less exciting to those in attendance.  “I’ve got to get me one of these for home!” one of the Deputies remarked.