Slow firefighters
By Sharon Landrum, 7152 Hauser Dam Road - 08/03/08
I was one of the hundreds of people who attended the demolition derby at the fair Sunday evening, witnessing the horrible fire.
If it had not been for two of the other drivers in the derby, this tragedy would have been much more grave than what it is already. These two drivers were the first responders by using the fire extinguishers in their own vehicles to assist in putting out the fire. The firefighters on hand finished the job but were certainly not on top of their game. I have never attended an event of this nature where emergency services (fire, paramedics and ambulance) were not on hand during the event. If we have these services at rodeos, why in the world would they not be present where the possiblity of injury is just as certain? Three times prior, the firefighters had no sense of urgency or they had no idea of what to do. Now one of our community members is in a burn center in Salt Lake. I am new to this community and enjoy it very much but I believe that if my family needed assistance one of us might die before we recieved help.
If it had not been for two of the other drivers in the derby, this tragedy would have been much more grave than what it is already. These two drivers were the first responders by using the fire extinguishers in their own vehicles to assist in putting out the fire. The firefighters on hand finished the job but were certainly not on top of their game. I have never attended an event of this nature where emergency services (fire, paramedics and ambulance) were not on hand during the event. If we have these services at rodeos, why in the world would they not be present where the possiblity of injury is just as certain? Three times prior, the firefighters had no sense of urgency or they had no idea of what to do. Now one of our community members is in a burn center in Salt Lake. I am new to this community and enjoy it very much but I believe that if my family needed assistance one of us might die before we recieved help.
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Reader Comments:
skosena wrote on Aug 3, 2008 10:10 PM:
" who criticizes a firefighter? Especially a volunteer. unbelievable. "
mama2 wrote on Aug 3, 2008 6:55 PM:
" I was also at the derby. Could they have been lessened by faster action? Only if the firefighters were right there in the middle of the arena. The other drivers were right next to the burning car. I am glad they were quick thinking.
Helena does not have the facilities to treat burns of that severity (St Petes spends a lot of money on remodeling, but not much else...!) There was not an ambulance on site, and I was surprised by how long it took St. Petes to get there once the ambulance was called. "
Helena does not have the facilities to treat burns of that severity (St Petes spends a lot of money on remodeling, but not much else...!) There was not an ambulance on site, and I was surprised by how long it took St. Petes to get there once the ambulance was called. "
mykids wrote on Aug 3, 2008 11:04 AM:
" Understanding that you are new to this community I will be nice. I would like you to understand one thing though. The firemen and women of this community (with the exception of Helena's Fire Dept) are VOLUNTEERS! They have families, homes, and other jobs. They do not get paid to go to these events! THEY VOLUNTEER!!!! The firemen and women of this community are the best in the state. They are very community minded and very on top of their game. I did not attend this event, however it is very, VERY disturbing to me that anyone would critisize these men and women for doing something away from their families......AS VOLUNTEERS!!!!
They are constantly training and learning things to stay on top of the very latest technology. They are CONSTANTLY giving up time that they could be at home relaxing with their families. They miss time with their children, time for the things that they love....like hunting, fishing, camping and so on.....FOR YOU!
How do I know this? My husband is a Volunteer Fireman. He is not on West Valley's Fire Dept.....but he is their brother.
I would ask, that if you have a problem with the way these men and women responded, get off your duff and join them.....maybe you would learn something. "
They are constantly training and learning things to stay on top of the very latest technology. They are CONSTANTLY giving up time that they could be at home relaxing with their families. They miss time with their children, time for the things that they love....like hunting, fishing, camping and so on.....FOR YOU!
How do I know this? My husband is a Volunteer Fireman. He is not on West Valley's Fire Dept.....but he is their brother.
I would ask, that if you have a problem with the way these men and women responded, get off your duff and join them.....maybe you would learn something. "
barest wrote on Aug 3, 2008 10:36 AM:
" I am remembering a saying that is probably said way too much here in Helena.
"If your are suffering from a major injury....don't even think about getting the surgery done in Helena."
Unfortunately our city does NOT rank our city with the highest priorities like a bigger city would do. This tragedy should not have happened, but accidents DO happen and I believe that in an event like the Last Chance Stampede, there should have been ALL medical ememrgency equipment at the scene, but unfortunately it wasn't there and I would HOPE that we (as a city) can learn from past mistakes. "
"If your are suffering from a major injury....don't even think about getting the surgery done in Helena."
Unfortunately our city does NOT rank our city with the highest priorities like a bigger city would do. This tragedy should not have happened, but accidents DO happen and I believe that in an event like the Last Chance Stampede, there should have been ALL medical ememrgency equipment at the scene, but unfortunately it wasn't there and I would HOPE that we (as a city) can learn from past mistakes. "
freetime wrote on Aug 3, 2008 9:03 AM:
" No offense if the firefighters on scene would have jump in quicker and got the fire out faster the victim still would have second and third degree burns!
Plus the fact even if a ambulance crew was on the scene they would not have been able to just treat the injuries on site and rush him to the hospital!
If the naysayers think they could have do a better job than the emergency personnel in town then they I say step in next time a terrible accident like this happens and take over and see if they can "save" the victim(s) better! "
Plus the fact even if a ambulance crew was on the scene they would not have been able to just treat the injuries on site and rush him to the hospital!
If the naysayers think they could have do a better job than the emergency personnel in town then they I say step in next time a terrible accident like this happens and take over and see if they can "save" the victim(s) better! "
Mark3825 wrote on Aug 3, 2008 8:48 AM:
" Iam not sure if this letter is to complain about our community medical and fire personel but the responsibility has to be placed on the event sponsors. I have been in charge and put on many events over the past 30 years. As the organizer it is necessary to try and forsee all that can go wrong...there are rules and standards that need to be followed.
With that said it is very true I am finding that the workforce today is less dedicated to their responisbilites that just a few years ago. "
With that said it is very true I am finding that the workforce today is less dedicated to their responisbilites that just a few years ago. "
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freetime wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:23 AM:
As to people saying that the hospital is not equip to take care of patients with life threatening medical injuries or conditions!
My husband was diagnosed with acute renal failure in November 2000! St. Peter's (esp. the dialysis unit) saved my husband's life! He was able to go to Seattle and received a new kidney because of the outstanding hospital care he got here!
Plus if he was to become ill at home I know I can call 911 and the ambulance, East Valley Volunteer Fire Department and the L&C County Sheriff Department will do their very best to make sure he received the care that he needs before arriving at the hospital!
And remember St.Peter's is not the only hospital in Montana that is not equip to take care of burn victims! Great Falls and Billings probably would have sent him out of state for treatment also! "