Grant helps Pinion Pines FD get to crash victims - Kingman Daily Miner

12/26/2011 6:00:00 AM
Article from the Kingman Daily Miner

ERIN TAYLOR/Miner

Pinion Pines firefighters test out a spreader on a car.
The firefighters who look like they’re covered in tin foil
are actually wearing suits that protect them in
 fuel-fed fires at the airport.

Erin Taylor
Miner Staff Reporter
"Firefighters are finding that they're needing new tools to keep up with the safety standards of today's newer car models.

The 4,000 pounds of steel and metal that make up the average sedan are molded into crumple zones to protect drivers in crashes of speeds of around 40 miles an hour. But with manufacturers using stronger materials, responders are finding it harder to cut through the mangled metals when trying to free trapped occupants from a crash.

The Pinion Pines Fire Department is responsible for more than 80 miles of highway, from Interstate 40 at milepost 58 to the western county line and U.S. 93 to Wikieup. The department responds to anywhere from two to five accidents a week, said training officer Danny Zandvliet.

The department was recently awarded a $10,800 grant from State Farm Insurance to update its rescue tools, commonly referred to as the Jaws of Life. Zandvliet said many of the department's tools are 15 years old.

"Fifteen-year-old tools can cut 15-year-old cars, but they can't cut today's," he said.

Today's cars are engineered with materials that can withstand an average of 200,000 pounds of force. Many of the department's tools currently max out at around 70,000 pounds, Zandvliet explained.

The Jaws of Life refer to two separate tools; A cutter, that can cut through metal, and a spreader, which, as it name also infers, can spread car doors that have been jammed shut or other pieces of a mangled car. The tools are gas powered but are also available in electric versions.

When a patient needs to be extricated from a car, rescuers will first disconnect the car's battery. This prevents, among other things, the air bag from deploying if it was triggered in the crash but didn't actually go off.

"I don't think people realize how many times an air bag doesn't deploy," Zandvliet said.

Firefighters next break out the windshield and other windows to minimize flying glass during rescue efforts. They also flatten the tires and "crib," or stabilize, the wheels so they don't move. Then they'll get to work removing the patient. Zandvliet said around 30 percent of people who need to be rescued from inside cars actually only have minor injuries; They just can't get out of the twisted wreckage, he said.

The new tools purchased with the grant will be of great assistance in tackling the stronger metals used to make newer cars, he added. Earlier this month, the department responded to an accident involving a BMW in which the driver ultimately had to be removed through the back because rescuers couldn't get to him another way. Response times are also of the essence. When responding to calls of U.S. 93, the nearest alternate responding agency is 25 minutes away, he said.

Vendors from several different manufacturers visited the department before Christmas for the firefighters to test out the new tools. The department is looking to spend around $25,000 in total with purchases made by January."

Original Article Here >>>

Units Respond To Rollover On Hualapai Mtn Rd

On December 30, 2011 at 12:03 PM, an alarm was received for a motor vehicle rollover on Hualapai Mtn Rd near mile marker 7. E516 arrived on scene to find a single vehicle that had left the roadway and rolled down a 50 foot embankment onto a lower ledge, landing upright. The vehicle was occupied by five patients, all stating they were not injured. E523 and Chief 501 arrived on scene and began care on the remainder of the occupants. All of the patients were assessed and received medical care for minor injuries on scene but refused transportation to the hospital. All of the occupants claimed their seatbelts were on during the incident.

The vehicle sustained moderate damage to the roof and
passenger side.

Article Submitted by: Firefighter/EMT Ron Hood

Photos Submitted by: Firefighter/EMT Brad Shuffler & Ron Hood

Units Respond To Fatality On Highway 93

On December 29, 2011 at 4:28 Pm, an alarm was received for a motor vehicle rollover on Highway 93 near the 104 mile marker in the median. While in route, E523 recieved multiple updates stating there were 3 occupants trapped inside the vehicle and 1 occupant trapped underneath the vehicle. Angel 2, Careflight 14 and DPS Kingman Ranger were activated to respond to the incident.

Lieutenant/Paramedic Danny Zandvliet and Firefighter/EMT Chris Shaffer

establishing a plan for extrication.

Photo by: Firefighter/EMT Duane Dodds

Upon arrival of E523, crews found 1 deceased patient inside the vehicle and all other occupants self extricated. Crew began care on the 3 occupants and packaged them for transport, 2 patients flown in critical condition, 1 patient transported by ground in stable condition. After patient care was transfered, crew began the extrication of the deceased patient in the vehicle. The extrication took approximately 20 minutes, the roof was removed to gain better access to the occupant.

Lieutenant/Paramedic Danny Zandvliet and Firefighter/EMT Chris Shaffer

begin the extrication of the deceased occupant.

Photo by: Firefighter/EMT Duane Dodds

The vehicle was traveling southbound on Highway 93 when it left the roadway for an unknown reason and rolled approximately 100 yards through the median. Crews were on scene for 3 hours, the left lanes northbound/southbound were closed during the incident.

Article Submitted by: Firefighter/EMT Ron Hood

Photos Submitted by: Firefighter/EMT Duane Dodds

Smoke Detector Proves Its Worth

The motto often used for smoke detectors is "A sound you can live with" and this may have been just the case. On December 18, 2011 at 2:12 AM, an alarm was recieved for a residential fire alarm activation at a McLane Way residence. Upon the arrival of Engine 511, no smoke was visible but the residents were outside of the structure. Crews made entry into the smoke filled structure and located the origin of the fire. A pile of rags that had cleaning solution on them had spontaneously combusted on the dining room table and began filling the house with toxic smoke. The items were removed from the residence while crews began ventilation of the structure. The occupants were assessed at the scene and released with no injuries.

When talking to the homeowners they stated "That's worth the $20 dollars a month" referring to the cost of the alarm system which is monitored by Southwest Alarm Services. "We didn't smell the smoke, the fire alarm is what woke us up and the smoke was just so thick, it burned our eyes" He said.

Crews remained on scene for approximately 3 hours until the home was safe to re-enter. No other damages or injuries were sustained from the incident. This incident is a reminder to check your smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are in working condition, they might just make the difference.

Article Submitted by Firefighter Ron Hood

Evening Accident With A Twist

On Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 1:50 PM, Engine 523 was dispatched to Interstate 40 near mile marker 90 for a motor vehicle accident. Engine 523 arrived on scene and began care on the single occupant who had a head laceration. The patient was transported by ground to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Upon assessing the vehicle, the crew was met by the occupants of the property, some very large Boar's, who seemed to be securing the vehicle themselves. It was later found out that they were pets on the property along with some goats. None of the animals were injured during the accident.

Article and Photos Submitted By Firefighter Ron Hood

BLM Prescribed Burn Info

Monday, October 31, 2011 - The Bureau of Land Management will be conducting a prescribed burn 15 miles NW of Wikieup, Az in the Haulapai Mountains. The goal is to burn 3,500 acres throughout the next few days in an effort to minimize the potential for a large uncontrollable fire during times of unfavorable conditions. Smoke may be visible from the Kingman area and many motorist traveling on Highway 93 south may also see it. There may be smoke impacts through the Highway 93 area in the evenings and early morning but should ventilate around 10 AM, should this occur. In the event that smoke does impact motorist on the roadways, remember to reduce your speed and travel with your headlights on.

Units Respond to Tractor Trailer Fire

On October 28, 2011 at 9:30 AM, E523 (District 2) and E511 (District 1) were dispatched to Interstate 40 near the 66 mile marker westbound for a tractor trailer fire. Units arrived on scene to a fully involved semi trailer and secondary brush fire. Both engines pulled CAFS attack lines and stopped the forward progress of both the trailer and the brush, containing the fire to the trailer only and .10 of an acre brush fire. The number 3 lane was closed for approximately 4 hours while the scene was cleaned up. The trailer and its contents, which consisted of chicken, were a complete loss. The driver of the vehicle was unharmed in the incident.

Article and Photo Submitted by Firefighter Ron Hood

Rainy Day Vehicle Fire

On October 4th, 2011 at 3:41 p.m., Pinion Pine E511 was dispatched to Highway 93, mile marker 101 for a passenger vehicle fire. Arriving unit found a fully involved passenger pickup truck in the north bound lanes. Crew made a quick knockdown on the fire, unfortunatly the vehicle was a total loss. No brush was involved due to the copious amount of rain recieved in the area. Crew was on scene for aproximately one hour with traffic reduced to one lane.

Article and Photos Submitted by Firefighter Ron Hood

Units Respond To Fatality On Interstate 40

On October 4, 2011 at 2:47 p.m., Pinion Pine units were dispatched to a single vehicle rollover with ejections on Interstate 40 near mile marker 79 eastbound. Arriving units found one vehicle with one patient that had been partially ejected during the rollover and was deceased upon their arrival. The accident was blocking both eastbound lanes and closed Interstate 40 for one hour.

Article Submitted by Firefighter Ron Hood

Photo Submitted by Firefighter Stephan Little



Morning Accident Sends One To Kingman Regional

On Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 10:50 A.M., E523 was dispatched to Highway 93, mile marker 95 for a single vehicle rollover. Unit arrived on scene and found one patient self extricated with minor injuries. Crews administered care until AMR's arrival. Patient was transported to Kingman Regional with minor injuries.

Article Submitted by Firefighter Ron Hood

Photo Submitted by Firefighter Stephan Little



Children's Miracle Network Fundraiser

Pinion Pine crews will be out at Loves Truck Stop at exit 59 today for the Childrens Miracle Network "Fill the Boot" Fundraiser. Firefighters will be taking donations from 9 AM to 4 PM. Stop in to visit with your local firefighters and donate to a great cause.

Quick Response Saves Semi Trailer

On Sept 2, 2011 around 11:53 PM, Pinion Pine E511, C501 and WT528R were dispatched to Interstate 40 and DW Ranch Rd for a reported tractor trailer fire. First units on scene found a fully involved semi on the eastbound on-ramp with secondary brush involvement. Crews made quick work and contained the brush fire to 1/10 of an acre and controlled the tractor fire with minimal extension to the trailer. Crews were on scene for approx. 3 hours while overhaul was completed.

Lightning Sparks Fire Near County Line

On August 26, 2011 around 2 PM, Pinion Pine E523 was dispatched by the Arizona Interagency Dispatch Center to respond to 3 miles south of Interstate 40 near mile marker 102 for a reported vegitation fire. E523 and C501 arrived on scene to find a 1 acre brush fire on the lower third of the hillside in grass/brush with moderate potential. Crews were on scene for approx 5 hours while the fire was mopped up. The fire was controlled and contained at 1 acre.

Article and Photo Submitted by Firefighter Ron Hood

Units Respond to Morning Brush Fire

On July 24, 2011 at 10:41, PIP 111C and E1123 were dispatched to Interstate 40, mile post 80.2 eastbound initially for a passenger vehicle fire on the south side of the Interstate. Crews arrived on scene to find a 1/4 acre brushfire in light fuels with low rate of spread, with no vehicle involvement. Crews knocked the fire down quickly and held the fire at 1/4 of an acre. Units were on scene for approx 1 hour while mop up was completed.

Firefighter/EMT Ron Hood during mop up operations.

Crews Respond to Fatal Rollover

At 6:51, P.M on July 14th, PIP E1115 and Angel 2 were dispatched to the 76 mile marker on Interstate 40 for a single vehicle rollover with trauma. Crews arrived on scene and began patient care on the driver of the vehicle who was ejected at high speeds, unfortunatly the patient was deceased. No other vehicles/persons were involved. Crews remained on scene for clean up and stabilization for approx. 30 min.

Crews Make Quick Work on Roadside Vegitation Fire

On July 14th at 11:45 A.M, C203, E231, and E515 were dispatched to mile marker 57 on Interstate 40 for a reported vegitation fire. Crews arrived on scene and made a quick stop to the quarter acre brush fire. Crews were on scene for 30 minutes while the fire was mopped up.

Busy 4th For Firefighters, But Not With Fireworks

On July 4th at 1:22 PM, Pinion Pine Engine 1126 was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 40 at the 89 mile marker for a tractor trailer that overturned and left the roadway with possible extrication needed. Crews arrived on scene with AMR and began treating 1 patient, extrication was not needed. The patient was transported by ground to Kingman Regional Medical Center with life threatening injuries. Cause of the accident is unknown, and no other vehicles were involved. Westbound traffic was stopped for about an hour while the roadway was being cleaned up.

On July 5th at 2:35 AM, Pinion Pine Chief 111, Engine 1111, Water Tender 1128R were dispatched to mile marker 91 on interstate 40 for a vehicle collision sparking a fire involving two semi's, one of which was carrying a hazardous materials load of marine sanitizer. Crews arrived on scene to find one tractor trailer fully involved and the trailer of the hazardous load involved. The hazardous load was quickly knocked down and cooled while efforts were made on the second tractor trailer. Crews remained on scene for approximately 6 hours for further overhaul. One patient was transported by ground to Kingman Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. Westbound traffic was closed and diverted in Seligman, Az using alternate Route 66 for six hours. No other injuries or vehicles were involved.

Crews Respond to Fire Near Petro

At around 10:45 on Thursday morning, E1126 and 111C were dispatched to the Blake Ranch area for an unknown type of fire. Upon arrival, crews found a brush fire near some abandoned buildings that had been knocked down by a passerby. Crews mopped up the small fire and were on scene for approx. 10 minutes. The fire is suspected to have started due to some fire crackers that were lit in a mail box near the area.

Evidence of fire crackers present in the mail box at the location of the fire.