On January 21st, Greenwood Rural VFD hosted four fire departments from the West side of Parker County for First-Aid Training.  Fifty firefighters from Adell-Whitt VFD, Brock-Dennis VFD, and Cool-Garner VFD joined the Greenwood team to drill on the skills required of first responders. 

     The evening started with a great dinner prepared by Greenwood’s auxiliary members and then the firefighters spent several hours working on their first-aid skills. 

     The participants were divided into small teams, led by Greenwood EMT’s or ECA’s, and practiced several separate scenarios such as:

Fall From A Ladder:

 This scenario presented the victim at the foot of a ladder.  The group was to make a preliminary diagnosis and then decide upon the treatment or packaging, i.e. spinal immobilization, C-Collar, CID and checking neurological function of the victim.

 

 

Fall From A Horse: 

 This scenario covered the many and various injuries that can result from a fall from a horse.  The participants discussed broken bones, hip fractures, and femur fractures, along with packaging and splinting options.

 

 

 Bleeding:  

  This scenario covered capillary, venous and arterial bleeding.  The participants were to use direct presure, elevation, pressure points and tourniquets (as a last resource).

 

 

Removal of A Patient From A Vehicle:   

 

This training touched on arterial bleeding, possible impalement and other complications, with spinal immobilization, packaging and removal from the vehicle.

 

Firefighter Down On An Incident:

The participants discussed how to diagnose what has happened and the appropriate first-aid measures that should be applied.  Could it be an MI; Heat Exhaustion; a CVA; could the firefighter be a Diabetic;  suffering Smoke Inhalation?  

 

 LifeCare Ambulance:

 The LifeCare Medics showed the participants where items such as oxygen cylinders, backboards and C-collars are located on the new ambulances.  They showed and discussed how the firefighters can assist them by spiking an IV bag, helping package a victim, lift assistance, etc.   In addition to answering further questions, the medics demonstrated their new electric cots.

 

      Two additional scenarios of Burns on the Arm and Face and Electrocution (lightening strikes included)  and the procedures that a first-aid provider should go through were demonstrated.

     Every month one of the West side departments host the other departments  for an evening of great food, team building and skill training.    In February the departments will meet in Millsap for Hazardous Materials training.

     Greenwood’s Assistant Chief Luis Ramos said “It’s really important for the departments to train together, because otherwise the only time they see one another is on an emergency scene.  Joint training builds teamwork and is really important.”

 

     Parker County Judge Mark Riley has announced the appointment of  five Commissioners who will make up the new Emergency Service District #7 Board. 

     The new Commissioners are:  Mike Bright, Jim Eggleston, Johnie Herbert, Mike Hernandez and Bill Sewell.  Our new Board are all  residents and taxpayers in the Greenwood Fire District.  The Board is planning to have their organizational meeting in the next couple of weeks. 

     Chief John Burgoyne said, “I am really impressed with the breadth of experience of the new Board.  All of us at Greenwood Rural VFD are excited about working with the new Commissioners to improve the quality of emergency services provided to our citizens.”