Cody, WY, April 1^st, 2019 – After receiving a 911 call, dispatch sent a Lakeland Fire Department rescue unit to respond to a fall victim in a 55+ mobile home community. While en route dispatch received additional information and the responders learned this wasn’t an average citizen lift assist call. While taking a walk the elderly citizen fell, sliding down a muddy embankment into a stream below. When learning of this unique rescue scenario additional resources, including Lt. Chilton’s Engine, were dispatched. “The rescue arrived first and determined the patient wasn’t injured, he just couldn’t get out of the situation he was in”, recounts Chilton. He immediately began thinking of resources they had that may help. Using a ladder wasn’t ideal because of the patient’s limited mobility, and carrying the patient on a backboard would be strenuous on his team and traumatic for the patient. That’s when a light-bulb went off and he remembered the Binder Lift had recently been added to his apparatus. “We were able to easily put it around him and used the handles to help him up the embankment” says Chilton, “it was a very simple, easy, and a safe way to get him out of there.”

Rescue Chief Shane Reynolds chairs the department’s physical health committee and they are always on the lookout for ways to make lifting patients safer for their firefighters. After being introduced to the Binder Lift by Assistant Chief Hartzog, Reynolds knew this was the solution they needed. Though they had Megamovers - a soft stretcher device used for carrying or dragging non-ambulatory patients - it fell short when used for lifting and assisting patients. “My goal is to give them a way to get better body mechanics when lifting all sized patients” said Reynolds. It is nearly impossible to lift with proper body mechanics when there is no handle to grasp, and unfortunately humans don’t come with handles. But now, Lakeland firefighters can bring their own.

About Binder Lift,
The first Binder Lift was created in 2012 by Dan Binder to prevent his wife’s back from getting injured while performing her duties as an EMT-I. Today, we still have the same core focus of providing a safer way to lift for all fire and EMS personnel. Our products are manufactured right here in the USA by R&B manufacturing in Oakwood, Ohio. We are a family operated business that keeps our family values in the business environment. Give us a call, we’d love to chat.

Petzl, the leader in professional work-at-height, rescue, and lighting equipment, will showcase the new STRATO and updated VERTEX line of helmets, in addition to the new I’D EVAC and updated line of I’D descenders at FDIC International 2019. This new and improved line of products is assured to help rescuers streamline their work, while increasing the value of Petzl equipment in the technical rescue community.

The new helmets debut Petzl-exclusive CENTERFIT adjustment for quick-sizing and allows the helmet to be perfectly centered on the head. They also feature a FLIP&FIT system that folds away the nape band for easy storage and transport. Each helmet is adaptable to an extensive line of accessories with a new EASYCLIP system that makes adding or removing an accessory simple and intuitive.

The STRATO is a remarkably lightweight and comfortable helmet due its dual inner foam construction. The liner incorporates an EPP (expanded polypropylene) and EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam to reduce weight and achieve superb shock absorption. The helmet comes in vented and unvented versions, as well as two Hi-Viz colors of yellow and orange for increased visibility.

The new VERTEX helmet is designed with a six-point textile suspension that conforms to the shape of the users head for maximum comfort. This webbing suspension allows for maximum breathability while ensuring separation between the users head and the external shell in case of impact.

Petzl’s line of I’D descenders (I’D S, I’D L, and new I’D EVAC), ubiquitous in the world of rescue, is receiving a face lift. The updated line of descenders now feature an AUTO-LOCK system which immediately positions the descender handle in a locked position when released. The new I’Ds include stainless steel wear plates on heavy rope-wear zones, and each model will also accommodate mountable auxiliary brakes to increase control during descents or lowers.

The I’D EVAC, a new addition to the I’D family, is designed to facilitate a more ergonomic and intuitive lower from an elevated anchor point. By updating the design of the handle, the user can now more effectively control a load by pulling the handle away from the anchor as opposed to pushing towards it.

The I’D S & I’D L are now designed with an integrated anti-panic function and anti-error catch. These two safety features limit the risk of an accident due to user error during a lower or descent.

These products, in addition to a new line of AVAO and ASTRO harnesses, can be viewed at Petzl booth 417 at FDIC International, April 8-13, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information, please visit www.petzl.com.

Petzl®

For over 40 years, Petzl has developed innovative tools and techniques used by those who work and play in the vertical world. Today, Petzl is a world leader in work-at-height, fire and rescue, and tactical equipment and techniques. A family-owned business, Petzl is committed not only to quality and innovation, but also to giving back to the communities that have made it so successful. For more information, visit www.petzl.com.

The San Bernardino County (CA) Fire Department's Mountain Division runs a snow cat fleet for fire and rescue of Prinoth snow groomers, LMC 1500 tracked vehicles, and a Phycol IMP enclosed snow cat. (All photos courtesy of San Bernardino County Fire Department.)

By Alan M. Petrillo

The San Bernardino County (CA) Fire Department covers a fire district that encompasses 19,229 square miles, including the mountains in the San Bernardino National Forest, the most recreated national forest in the United States, where the communities of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear are located. The department also covers the eastern side of the San Gabriel Mountains, and its Wrightwood station does mutual aid with the Los Angeles County (CA) Fire Department.

The San Bernardino County snow cat firefighters often interface with helicopters to make a mountain rescue.

When it comes time to dispatch rescue units into the mountains, especially in winter and early spring, San Bernardino relies on a series of "snow cat" stations between the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountain stations. "These are single-engine stations, each with a minimum of a Type 1 four-wheel-drive engine that carries an ALS bag, and three firefighters, says Josh Wilkins, captain of San Bernardino County's Mountain Division 3. "Most of the stations have a Type 3 or Type 6 wildland engine as well, plus a snow cat, while several stations have fire boats because we service Big Bear Lake," he says.

The three types of San Bernardino County snow cats maneuvering during a training exercise.

Wilkins says that San Bernardino County's snow cat fleet comprises three Prinoth snow groomers, four LMC 1500 tracked vehicles, and a Phycol IMP enclosed snow cat. "Our new Prinoth snow cats can carry 11 people: five enclosed up front and six in the rear passenger compartment," he points out. The LMC 1500 units also are enclosed and carry six passengers, and the 1968 Phycol IMP enclosed snow cat carries seven passengers."

Plenty of LED lighting covers the exterior of San Bernardino County's new Prinoth snow cats.

Because the San Bernardino County's tracked snow units are often out for eight hours at a time, all crew members must be ALS-certified, and two must be qualified operators. Wilkins says the snow units are required to carry enough survival supplies for 72 hours for the crew and the vehicles’ passengers. "That means food, water, shelter, fire, warmth, ALS bag, avalanche equipment like probes and transceivers, fuel, and repair parts for the snow cats," he says. "If we know it’s a medical call, we'll grab an EKG monitor off of an engine to take with us. We are looking to get a smaller, portable, military-style EKG monitor for our snow cats."