Field notes
FIREFIGHTERS Trained firefighters do more than turn vicious blazes into soggy ashes. They’re also experts in first aid, hazardous materials cleanup and dealing with the chaos of floods, tornados, power outages, ice storms and other natural disasters. And some firefighters tackle forest fires.
WHEN TO CALL:
At oil and gas production sites across Canada, welltrained, well-equipped industrial fire crews are on constant standby. They’re backed up by crews at other sites and nearby cities and towns.
At work: as site policy dictates. If someone is trapped in a vehicle. If a vehicle collision results in gasoline or other chemical/ hazmat spills or threats. If you spot smoke or uncontrolled fire in forests or on grasslands. When a natural disaster strikes. Pictured: Jason Worsnop Firefighter & Emergency Medical Responder High River Fire Department
PARAMEDICS When life hangs by a thread, paramedics can keep it from snapping.
When it comes to calling for emergency medical help, “err on the side of caution,” says Russell Bardak, a STARS paramedic in Grande Prairie. “Better to have called for help and not need it than to need help and not have called for it," he adds.
WHEN TO CALL: Someone has significant trauma such as a crush injury, serious penetrating injuries to the torso or head, or loss of a limb. Someone has stopped breathing or lost consciousness. You are overwhelmed by or unable to react to an injury and illness (yours or someone else’s). Pictured: Brandi Sundquist Paramedic Alberta Health Services, High River
26
enform.ca