by sheryl drost the firehouse scene feb co… · february 2013 fire chief don shoevlin editor...

the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

As The Station Turns...By Sheryl Drost

Our prayers and wishes for continued recovery go out to our Trustee Al Bach after his recent hospital stay. Colleen is thinking the arrangement of the green and gold fl owers the department sent just might have helped a little as well!Congratulations to our new EMT-Bs, Mike Helland, Nino Girardin, Stefani Layman and Brett Parrish!!Ask Sean about the moment of panic when you think the fi re truck you are in is rolling backwards towards the water! Seems the truck next to the one Sean was sitting in started going forward giving him the illusion he was moving backwards, into the pond; yep, panic set in! I was teasing the guys when they were practicing removing their SCBAS and crawling under the fi re trucks to make sure they didn’t leave anyone under there. Come to fi nd out, Stefani had gotten stuck! Yep, the skinniest one here....lol Sorry Marcia, the Chief denied your request for cushions to be put in the minivans we use for traveling to trainings. As I hitched a ride in the command vehicle with DC Bergeron to the truck fi re, we were discussing how smart we both were in that we had prepared for the below zero temps by wearing thermals. Now if I had just remembered my gloves! Was out of town for the Poppy Ct. fi re and the only response I got when I asked about the fi re was, it was COLD! I hear we even had a Soppycyle when Photog Marcia responded from work without all her warm gear.The guys took the pickup down to the pond to set up for ice rescue class and accidentally locked the keys in the truck. The rescue lock kit was brought out and they went to work at unlocking it. Chief chuckled as he watched, knowing he had the spare key in his pocket!Pilot to co-pilot - Thanks Marcia for the directions!One of my favorite things to photograph is fi refi ghters having fun with the kids, like Stefani, Chad and Jesse were having while giving a tour to a group of home-schooled kids in the photos on page 11.During a recent class our fi re investigators and I attended, they played a clip on how an experienced Fire Chief made a critical decision quickly during a volatile wild fi re and saved hundreds of homes. When asked how he knew what to do, that Chief replied, he just knew. What do you mean, he just knew? The instructor went on to explain that the mind is like a slide show recalling experiences. He said there wasn’t time to sit and talk about it, a decision had to be made quickly and that the Chief knew intuitively what to do from past experiences! Some more little tidbits from the class:

67% of fi rst impressions are correct.The brain matures between ages 25 and 35.Teachers can tell 70% of the time if someone is lying.Figure out a person’s dominant modality and you willbe able to communicate better with them, be it visual (I see), audio (I hear) or kinesthetic (I feel). Children and adults learn better in their dominate modality as well. No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar.Love is a combination of Joy and Acceptance.

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The Firehouse Scene - 2www.harlemroscoefi re.com

February 2013 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Photo by Sheryl Drost

Frito Lay Truck FirePage 4

House FirePage 3

Hanging out at the hot tub?

March 10, 2013March 10, 2013

& CO& CO

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

We are well on our way to the beginning of another successful busy year. We responded to 251 calls in the month of January.

The winter weather had been docile for the most part, then this week we have got a couple bouts of snow. We ask if you live by a fi re hydrant please try to keep it clear of snow. The snow is a welcome sight for the up-coming spring growing season.

Speaking of spring, it is on the way. Have you noticed the sun is rising earlier and setting later. Another sign of spring is our annual Spring Dinner. Planning is well underway for the event that will be held on March 23rd. Watch your mail for further information on this event, it will be going out in the next couple of weeks.

Congratulations to Nino Girardin, Mike Helland, Stefani Layman, and Brett Parrish on their successful completion of the state requirements and exam for their EMT license. You are commended for this and all you do for the district and department.

We are beginning our 2013 recruit class. These individuals will go through over 100 hours of training, which they must successfully complete before they begin to respond to any incidents. We have a class of 13 individual who are ready and committed to become fi refi ghters. We also have a dedicated group of instructor’s willing to devote their time to teach these individual to become a safe and profi cient fi refi ghters.

We should be taking delivery of our new ambulance we ordered in October here shortly. The company has informed us that we should receive it either the end of February or early March.

On March 9th and 10th we will be participating in the RORO Expo held at Hononegah High School. We will also be partnering with our brothers and sisters from Rockton Fire to host a pancake breakfast at the Expo. It will be held on Sunday March 10th from 9:00 to 12:00 at the high school. All proceeds from this event will go to Camp “I am Me” The mission of camp is to provide a safe environment for children who have experienced signifi cant burn injuries. It is their goal to provide a non-judgmental atmosphere in which children have the opportunity to build their self-esteem as they enjoy the varied activities that make up their week long camp experience. We hope you stop by for breakfast, but then don’t forget to come see as at our booth.

Remember to bookmark our website www.harlemroscoefi re.com and / or friend us on Facebook to keep up with the progress of the department, individuals, and the calls we might have been on. Don’t hesitate to contact me or stop by if I can be of any assistance.

Gone,But not forgotten

Some people come into our lives, And quickly go. Some stay awhile and leave footprints in our hearts.

And, we are never, ever the same.

Dispatcher Jerry Lunds’ mother, Phyllis Lund passed away Jan. 14. in Arizona. Northwest Fire Chief Tom Ragnar Sr. passed away Jan. 11.

It is with a heavy heart we send out our heart-felt prayers and sympathies to family and friends of Jerry & Tom.

Chief Ragnar working with a couple Harlem-Roscoe fi refi ghters in extricating a victim from a car crash.

Chief Ragnar poses with a group of Chiefs at a WFCA Christmas party.

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BirthdaysFebruary10th Neil Roe Rob Gonia15th Scott Jensen24th Sean Laurent

March5th John Donovan ‘50th’6th Steve Shoevlin Christy Wilson9th John Donahue16th Aaron Miller Adam Cox23rd Radi Huggard Justin Mayton26th Nino Grardin ‘30th”29th Sheryl Drost

John Donovan ‘50th’March 5th

The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1.

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available after the second Sunday each month. Copies can be picked up at Fire Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe, The North Suburban Library and several local government offi ces. It is also posted on the department’s website www.harlemroscoefi re.comE-mail submissions to Sheryl:[email protected]

The Firehouse Scene - The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Congratulations to Justin Harwood and his fi ance Carmen on the birth of their son, Cameron Michael, on Dec. 15. Cameron measured in at 7lbs. 1oz. and 19in. long. Big Sister Olivia (6) is totally in love with him. Justin says mom and baby are doing great. Congrats again Justin and Carmen, he is adorable!

Station Tour Photos by Sheryl Drost

House FirePhotos by Marcia Soppe

Firefi ghters responded to a report of a chimney fi re on Poppy Ct. on Feb. 1 with temperature hovering the 0 degree mark. Not only did that make the wind-chill below zero, but the hydrant in front of the house, as well as the one down the block, were frozen. A MABAS Box was dispatched to bring tenders (tankers) and more manpower. In-coming tenders were then used to refi ll the attack trucks because it was too cold to use the folding tanks.

First in fi refi ghters encountered heavy smoke but were able to make an aggressive attack on the fi re and save most of the home. Firefi ghters then overhauled the chimney chase and attic looking for hot spots.

The two closest hydrants were frozen and water had to be shuttled in with tenders.

Firefi ghters hook up water supply to the attack truck and ventilate the roof.

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Firefi ghters head up to the roof to ventilate.

Harlem-Roscoe and North Park Firefi ghters work side-by-side to pull soffi ts looking for any fi re extension.

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Fire apparatus from mutual aid departments line up with Harlem-Roscoes.

2013 HARLEM-ROSCOEHARLEM-ROSCOE

FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION’SFIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION’SN

SPRINGSPRINGDINNERDINNER

Saturday...

March 23, 2013March 23, 20135pm - 8pm

10544 Main St. Roscoe

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Tickets:Adults - $8Kids 5 to 12 - $4Under age 5 - Free

For Carryout & Local Delivery:

Call 815-623-7867 the day of the dinner.

Menu: Ham, Roast Beef Cole slaw, Buns Mashed potatoes Vegetables, Dessert Milk and Coffee.

Truck FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Temperatures were sub zero when fi refi ghters responded to a report of a truck fi re at the Frito Lay building on Turrett Dr. on Jan. 22. Black smoke could easily be seen from miles away so it was evident there was a working fi re. Units arrived and found a Frito Lay delivery truck on fi re and went to work on extinguishing it. The truck was loaded with product and any that survived the fi re would have to be destroyed due to the smoke. No one was injured.

First in units encountered a lot of fi re as seen in the photo above as well as the front page photo.

Captain Jay Alms and Firefi ghter Joe Koeninger make their attack on the fi re.

Firefi ghters fi nish hitting hot spots in the delivery truck.

Firefi ghter Kyle Alms overhauls the product inside to reach all the fi re as Firefi ghter Joe Koeninger stands by with the hose line.

Car Fire Photos by Chief Shoevlin

Firefi ghters were dispatched for a car on fi re inside a garage on Prairie Hill Rd. at the Erickson Auto Parts on Jan. 29. When units arrived, they found two cars had been on fi re and workers had already gotten them out of the building and that they had the fi re almost out using a garden hose.

The Firehouse Scene - The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

15. The child is hungry, thirsty, tired, or has to go to the bathroom.

16. The child is over scheduled. Children need lots of unstructured down time to recharge their batteries, allow their brains to integrate new information and their nervous systems to develop and mature, and to connect with their creativity. A child who has two or three activities every day after school and on the weekend is expected to be “on” way too much. Urge parents of young children to cut back on the enrichment programs, schedule just one or two activities after school, and take them outside to play instead.

17. The child is spending too much time in front of screens. This is especially true if the child can’t transition well to sleep after spending time on a computer. Is the child watching or playing games with excessively violent content? Instruct parents to strictly limit time spent in front of televisions and computers and use the time instead for playing outside and creative pursuits {crafts, painting, writing stories, playing a musical instrument, dancing, etc.}. Have them turn off the computer a minimum of two hours before bedtime, or better yet, allow the child just an hour or two on the weekend. Screen time takes away from the time a child should be physically active, strengthening his body and developing his nervous system, and it shows up later when the child is driven to move.

18. His parents are going through a hard time, or don’t get along. Strife at home will upset any child’s equilibrium. Children are far more sensitive to these things than we know. If parents are stressed out, rarely home, argue a lot, tense and hostile with each other, or are otherwise going through their own issues, it will show up in the child’s behavior.

19. The child’s parents and caretakers don’t teach him to respond to adult redirection, so he thinks that obeying grown-ups is optional.

20. The adults who care for the child spend inordinate amounts of time on their electronic devices during their time together, or otherwise ignore him.

21. The child is expected to sit still for too long. I have so very often observed classrooms where very young children were expected to sit for long, long periods without ever getting up, being given a drink of water, or anything to eat.

22. The child is bored. Many reasons why this could be — the grown-ups don’t have a realistic idea about the child’s attention span, the activity is too diffi cult or too easy, or the child expects everything to be like television or the computer: loud, lots of chatter and images quickly passing by, lots of novelty.

“Sometimes angriness just pushes those good feelings right out of your head, so you just gotta fi gure out how to push your good feelings back in!”

~Samantha Daughenbaugh (Age 8)

BUGLE ALARMMonthly article written by a Harlem-Roscoe Fire Offi cer.

What is the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Among Firefi ghters?By Capt. Tim Bergeron

I have always had a feeling as though I know what the Brother/Sisterhood is. There are many great fi refi ghters who exemplify the “Brother/Sisterhood” and many others who think it is merely wearing a shirt or putting a sticker on their car. To me it is many things, but in reality it is only one….

If you were to take a fi refi ghter and strip them of their badge, remove their turnout gear, peel their skin back, and remove the organs, the Brotherhood/Sisterhood is that small fi re that continues to burn inside of them.

That small fi re cannot be extinguished, cannot be contained, and cannot be taken away. It is what makes you a fi refi ghter and you must not for any reason let personal feelings hamper any decision to help another “Brother/Sister”.

Some claim that there is a Brother/Sisterhood among career fi refi ghters and a different one among volunteer fi refi ghters. I think that fi refi ghting has a brother/sisterhood and that all else might bond you in a different/extra way.

In thinking of Brother/Sisterhood, it means no matter what, you will be there for each other, unconditionally. If I have something you need, it should never be too good for you not to use it. If you just need someone to talk to I should be offering that listening ear. If you are a little short on cash to put food on the table and I got it, should be yours no questions asked. With no favors expected in return. Most of all give the gift of knowledge, share what you know. Brother/Sisterhood is the understanding that above all differences of opinion, feuds, hurt feelings, and just plain old not getting along you understand that you have a duty to all fi refi ghters equally.

Brotherhood might have once been coined for men. However, this day in age it encompasses all sexes, creeds, and races. This day in age we need the brother/sisterhood more than anything. We need to continue to light that fi re in our new fi refi ghters and make sure that the fi re continues to burn in our veteran fi refi ghter’s. Look around you, it doesn’t matter what department you are in, I am certain you can come up with examples of fi refi ghters who just don’t get it. Don’t give up on them. Keep trying to show them the way.

If you have that fi re burning inside of you, it is your duty to keep the Brother/Sisterhood alive. Now I ask you what does Brother/Sisterhood mean to you?

Firefi ghting - one of the few professions left that still makes house calls. ~Author Unknown

Twenty-Two Reasons Why a Child Can’t Sit StillBy Loren Shlaes, OTR/LLoren Shlaes, is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration and school related issues, particularly handwriting. She lives and practices in Manhattan. She blogs at http://www.pediatricOT.blogspot.com/

1. The child does not get enough exercise. Children require huge amounts of movement, preferably outside, every single day. Movement and exercise is as essential as food for children in order to stay organized, develop and mature their nervous systems, improve their coordination, strength and motor planning, and to be healthy! So many of us live in cities now and have just forgotten how vital it is for a child’s health and development to go outside and play. Have parents bring the child to the playground for half an hour before school starts, and let him play on the equipment, or have a game of touch football, statues, or tag. And if his teacher takes away recess as a punishment, you must insist that she fi nd another way to help him manage his behavior. He is acting out because he needs to move more, not less!

2. The child has poor postural stability, low muscle tone, and a weak trunk and spine. This makes sitting physically exhausting, uncomfortable and painful. Circle time is especially grueling since sitting unsupported is such hard work.

3. The child’s chair/desk at school does not fi t. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into classrooms and seen children whose desks literally come up to their necks while their chairs are so high that their feet are dangling on the fl oor. Could you sit and do your work like that?

4. The child is tactile defensive and his clothing bothers him. Or he is sitting in too close proximity to others and his alarm system is clanging away, instructing him to fl ee.

5. The child is sitting with his back exposed and people are walking behind him, again setting off alarm bells. He should be sitting with his back to the wall, preferably niched in a corner.

6. The child is auditory defensive and his ears hurt. A child who can manage in a quiet, low stimulation atmosphere but can’t control his behavior in a noisy environment is probably suffering mightily in all of the chaos. Or he may not understand the teacher’s instructions if she is talking over many chattering voices. A good clue about auditory defensiveness: a child who runs around the perimeter of the classroom, acts out, and can’t engage in any goal oriented behavior when the room is noisy.

7. The child is a poor breather. Shallow breathing sets up the body for fi ght or fl ight, and it’s very hard to sit still when every cell in your body is urging you to get up and check for predators.

8. The child has undetected visual problems. It’s exhausting and frustrating to try to attend to close work if you can’t see what you’re doing. The child’s eyes may be so unstable that he is seeing double, seeing fl oaters, or visual images are shimmering, which is anxiety provoking. The light in his classroom might be bothering

him. In Manhattan many children are expected to sit all day long in inside classrooms with no natural light or outside ventilation. I get headaches just thinking about it.

9. The child’s inner ear is not functioning well. The inner ear tells us how alert/upright or at ease we should be in response to movement. {Roller coaster: very alert and upright! Hammock: very drowsy and relaxed.} If the child’s inner ear is not registering movement very well, it’s not telling the body to sit up and attend. The child is driven to move in order to provide the intensity he needs to stay upright and aroused.

10. The child’s nervous system has not matured along with his chronological age. This means that primitive movement patterns, which should be dormant, are instead active and present, dominating the way the child responds to his environment. Primitive refl ex patterns lower the child’s muscle tone automatically when he

turns his head and body in certain positions. This interferes with, among many other things, his balance, equilibrium, and vision. Or things that would not even register to us, like a dog barking in the distance, can throw the child’s system into a startle, making it hard for him to stay grounded.

11. The child’s metabolic processes are not functioning well. Does the child have undetected food allergies, diffi culty sleeping, leaky gut syndrome, candida, heartburn? Is the child constipated? Is he subsisting on a diet of refi ned carbs, sweets, and processed food, and so is inadequately nourished? Children need lots of high quality protein and complex carbs to fuel their bodies for learning and attention.

12. The child does not get enough sleep, or the sleep that he does get is not resting him properly. Can he transition well to bedtime? Does he get ten or eleven hours every night? Is there good ventilation in his bedroom? Are the lights off in his room? If a child is hard to wake up and grouchy in the mornings, chances are that he isn’t a good sleeper. A poorly rested body does not support the brain for learning.

13. The child may be too young or too immature to be in a classroom. In my clinical opinion, most three year old boys would be much better off waiting another year or two before starting school. They simply don’t have the emotional or neurological maturity to be handle all of the rules and expectations of the classroom.

14. The expectations of the classroom are too much, and the child feels lost, inadequate, and confused. Four year olds should not be expected to learn to write. They simply don’t have the internal stability, attention span, or visual discrimination required for such high level work yet. Let them wait until they are developmentally ready. One of the very best schools in Manhattan, the Rudolph Steiner School, does not start the children writing until they are seven. Their children have beautiful handwriting and are exceptional scholars. Continued on page 9...

False AlarmsPhotos by Sheryl Drost

There were many random alarms this month such as CO, fi re or small fi res that were already out. Here are a couple:

Steam that looked like smoke prompted a couple calls on Prairie Hill Rd.

An oven fi re on Ebonywood was out when units arrived on scene.

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ACCIDENTS Photos by Sheryl Drost, Marcia Soppe & Capt. Jay Alms

01/27/2013 Belvidere Rd. 02/02/2013 I-90 Rollover

02/03/2013 Hwy 251 & Hwy 173 01/27/2013 Hononegah Rd.

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EMS Corner By Capt. Jay Alms

Re-printed from WebMD

FrostbiteFrostbite occurs when tissues freeze. This condition happens when you are exposed to temperatures below the freezing point of skin.

Frostbite Causes - Our body works to stay alive fi rst and to stay functioning second.

In conditions of prolonged cold exposure, your body sends signals to the blood vessels in your arms and legs telling them to constrict (narrow). By slowing blood fl ow to the skin, your body is able to send more blood to the vital organs, supplying them with critical nutrients, while also preventing a further decrease in internal body temperature by exposing less blood to the outside cold.As this process continues and your extremities (the parts farthest from your heart) become colder and colder, a condition called the hunter’s response is initiated. Your blood vessels are dilated (widened) for a period of time and then constricted again. Periods of dilatation are cycled with times of constriction in order to preserve as much function in your extremities as possible. However, when your brain senses that you are in danger of hypothermia (when your body temperature drops signifi cantly below 98.6°F), it permanently constricts these blood vessels in order to prevent them from returning cold blood to the internal organs. When this happens, frostbite has begun.Frostbite is caused by 2 different means: cell death at the time of exposure and further cell deterioration and death because of a lack of oxygen.

In the fi rst, ice crystals form in the space outside of the cells. Water is lost from the cell’s interior, and dehydration promotes the destruction of the cell.In the second, the damaged lining of the blood vessels is the main culprit. As blood fl ow returns to the extremities upon rewarming, it fi nds that the blood vessels themselves are injured, also by the cold. Holes appear in vessel walls and blood leaks out into the tissues. Flow is impeded and turbulent, and small clots form in the smallest vessels of the extremities. Because of these blood fl ow problems, complicated interactions occur, and infl ammation causes further tissue damage. This injury is the primary determinant of the amount of tissue damage you will have in the end.It is rare for the inside of the cells themselves to be frozen. This phenomenon is only seen in very rapid freezing injuries, such as those produced by frozen metals.

Frostbite SymptomsA variety of frostbite classifi cation systems have been proposed. The easiest to understand, and perhaps the one that gives the best clues to outcome, divides frostbite into 2 main divisions: superfi cial and deep.

In superfi cial frostbite, you may experience burning, numbness, tingling, itching, or cold sensations in the affected

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areas. The regions appear white and frozen, but if you press on them, they retain some resistance.In deep frostbite, there is an initial decrease in sensation that is eventually completely lost. Swelling and blood-fi lled blisters are noted over white or yellowish skin that looks waxy and turns a purplish blue as it rewarms. The area is hard, has no resistance when pressed on, and may even appear blackened and dead.You will experience signifi cant pain as the areas are rewarmed and blood fl ow reestablished. A dull continuous ache

transforms into a throbbing sensation in 2-3 days. This may last weeks to months until fi nal tissue separation is complete.At fi rst the areas may appear deceptively healthy. Most people do not arrive at the doctor with frozen, dead tissue. Only time can reveal the fi nal amount of tissue damage.

When to Seek Medical CareA doctor must be able to see and feel the affected area. A simple telephone call is probably not suffi cient in all but the mildest cases of cold injury to hands and feet. You

need to see a doctor for care.At the time of initial evaluation, it is very diffi cult to categorize the injury as superfi cial or deep, and even more diffi cult to ascertain the amount of tissue damage. Therefore, all people should be seen by a doctor, who will supervise the rewarming process, attempt to classify the injury, and further guide the treatment process. Someone with frostbite will need evaluation for, and possible treatment of, hypothermia and dehydration.

Exams and TestsThe doctor will take a history in order to gather information on the events of the exposure and the medical condition prior to the cold injury.

The doctor will take note of the vital signs, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate in order to exclude or treat any immediate life threats such as hypothermia or severe infection.X-rays may be performed, but they probably will be deferred until weeks later when they are more useful to the treatment team.The doctor will collect data in order to classify the injury as superfi cial or deep and the prognosis as favorable or poor.

A good prognosis is heralded by intact sensation, normal skin color, blisters with clear fl uid, the ability to deform the skin with pressure, and the skin becoming pink when thawed.Blisters with dark fl uid, skin turning dark blue when thawed, and an inability to indent the skin with pressure indicate a poor prognosis.

Frostbite Treatment - Self-Care at HomeFirst, call for help.Keep the affected part elevated in order to reduce swellingMove to a warm area to prevent further heat loss.Note that many people with frostbite may be experiencing hypothermia. Saving their lives is more important than preserving a fi nger or foot.Remove all constrictive jewelry and clothes because they may

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further block blood fl ow.Give the person warm, nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated fl uids to drink.Apply a dry, sterile bandage, place cotton between any involved fi ngers or toes (to prevent rubbing), and take the person to a medical facility as soon as possible.Never rewarm an affected area if there is any chance it may freeze again. This thaw-refreeze cycle is very harmful and leads to disastrous results.Also, avoid a gradual thaw either in the fi eld or in the transport vehicle. The most effective method is to rewarm the area quickly. Therefore, keep the injured part away from sources of heat until you arrive at a treatment facility where proper rewarming can take place.Do not rub the frozen area with snow (or anything else, for that matter). The friction created by this technique will only cause further tissue damage.Above all, keep in mind that the fi nal amount of tissue destruction is proportional to the time it remains frozen, not to the absolute temperature to which it was exposed. Therefore, rapid transport to a hospital is very important.

Medical TreatmentAfter initial life threats are excluded, rewarming is the highest priority.

This is accomplished rapidly in a water bath heated to 40-42°C (104-107.6°F) and continued until the thaw is complete (usually 15-30 minutes).Narcotic pain medications may be given because this process is very painful.Because dehydration is very common, IV fl uids may also be given.

After rewarming, post-thaw care is undertaken in order to prevent infection and a continuing lack of oxygen to the area

The clear blisters are removed while the bloody ones are left intact so as not to disturb the underlying blood vesselsA tetanus booster is given if needed.

People with frostbite are hospitalized for at least 1-2 days to determine the extent of injury and to receive further treatment.

Aloe vera cream is applied every 6 hours, and the area is elevated and splinted.Ibuprofen is given twice per day to combat infl ammation and penicillin or another appropriate antibiotic given to prevent infection.For deep frostbite, daily water therapy in a 40°C (104°F) whirlpool bath will be performed in order to remove any dead tissue.

A number of experimental therapies do exist, many of which aim to further treat the infl ammation or decreased blood fl ow seen in frostbite. As of yet, none of these treatments has proven benefi cial.

Next Steps - Follow-upSymptoms follow a predictable pathway. Numbness initially is followed by a throbbing sensation that begins with rewarming and may last weeks to months. This is then typically replaced by a lingering feeling of tingling with occasional electric-shock sensations. Cold sensitivity, sensory loss, chronic pain, and a

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variety of other symptoms may last for years.

The treatment of frostbite is done over a period of weeks to months. Defi nitive therapy, possibly in the form of surgery, may not be performed for up to 6 months after the initial injury. Therefore, establish a working relationship between you and your doctor that will continue throughout the healing process.

PreventionThe fi rst step in preventing frostbite is knowing whether you are at increased risk for the injury.

Most cases of frostbite are seen in alcoholics, people with psychiatric illness, car accidents or car breakdowns in bad weather, and recreational drug misuse.All of these conditions share the problem of cold exposure and either the unwillingness or inability of a person to remove himself or herself from this threat.Tobacco smokers and people with diseases of the blood vessels also are at increased risk because they have an already decreased amount of blood fl ow to their arms and legs.Homelessness, fatigue, dehydration, improper clothing, and high altitude are additional risk factors.

Although people don’t always know or acknowledge these dangers, many of the dangers can be reduced or prevented.

Dress for the weather.Layers are best, and mittens are better than gloves (keeps your warm fi ngers together while warming each other).Wear 2 pairs of socks, with the inner layer made of synthetic fi ber, such as polypropylene, to wick water away from the skin and the outer layer made of wool for increased insulation.Shoes should be waterproof.Cover your head, face, nose, and ears at all times.Clothes should fi t loosely to avoid a decrease in blood fl ow to the arms and legs.Always travel with a friend in case help is needed.Avoid smoking and alcohol.

People with diabetes and anyone with vessel disease should take extra precautions, as should the very young, very old, and unconditioned.

Be especially wary of wet and windy conditions. The “feels like” temperature (wind-chill) is actually much lower than the stated air temperature.

OutlookA common saying among surgeons who have treated people with frostbite is “frostbite in January, amputate in July.” It often takes months before the fi nal separation between healthy and dead tissue may be determined. If surgery is performed too early, the risks of removing tissue that may eventually recover or leaving behind tissue that may eventually die are great. Some radiographic techniques currently are being investigated that may be able to make this division much sooner, thus permitting earlier defi nitive treatment.

Beyond this waiting period, 65% of people will suffer long-term symptoms because of their frostbite. Common symptoms include pain or abnormal sensations in the extremity, heat or cold sensitivity, excessive sweating, and arthritis.

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EMS Corner By Capt. Jay Alms

Re-printed from WebMD

FrostbiteFrostbite occurs when tissues freeze. This condition happens when you are exposed to temperatures below the freezing point of skin.

Frostbite Causes - Our body works to stay alive fi rst and to stay functioning second.

In conditions of prolonged cold exposure, your body sends signals to the blood vessels in your arms and legs telling them to constrict (narrow). By slowing blood fl ow to the skin, your body is able to send more blood to the vital organs, supplying them with critical nutrients, while also preventing a further decrease in internal body temperature by exposing less blood to the outside cold.As this process continues and your extremities (the parts farthest from your heart) become colder and colder, a condition called the hunter’s response is initiated. Your blood vessels are dilated (widened) for a period of time and then constricted again. Periods of dilatation are cycled with times of constriction in order to preserve as much function in your extremities as possible. However, when your brain senses that you are in danger of hypothermia (when your body temperature drops signifi cantly below 98.6°F), it permanently constricts these blood vessels in order to prevent them from returning cold blood to the internal organs. When this happens, frostbite has begun.Frostbite is caused by 2 different means: cell death at the time of exposure and further cell deterioration and death because of a lack of oxygen.

In the fi rst, ice crystals form in the space outside of the cells. Water is lost from the cell’s interior, and dehydration promotes the destruction of the cell.In the second, the damaged lining of the blood vessels is the main culprit. As blood fl ow returns to the extremities upon rewarming, it fi nds that the blood vessels themselves are injured, also by the cold. Holes appear in vessel walls and blood leaks out into the tissues. Flow is impeded and turbulent, and small clots form in the smallest vessels of the extremities. Because of these blood fl ow problems, complicated interactions occur, and infl ammation causes further tissue damage. This injury is the primary determinant of the amount of tissue damage you will have in the end.It is rare for the inside of the cells themselves to be frozen. This phenomenon is only seen in very rapid freezing injuries, such as those produced by frozen metals.

Frostbite SymptomsA variety of frostbite classifi cation systems have been proposed. The easiest to understand, and perhaps the one that gives the best clues to outcome, divides frostbite into 2 main divisions: superfi cial and deep.

In superfi cial frostbite, you may experience burning, numbness, tingling, itching, or cold sensations in the affected

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areas. The regions appear white and frozen, but if you press on them, they retain some resistance.In deep frostbite, there is an initial decrease in sensation that is eventually completely lost. Swelling and blood-fi lled blisters are noted over white or yellowish skin that looks waxy and turns a purplish blue as it rewarms. The area is hard, has no resistance when pressed on, and may even appear blackened and dead.You will experience signifi cant pain as the areas are rewarmed and blood fl ow reestablished. A dull continuous ache

transforms into a throbbing sensation in 2-3 days. This may last weeks to months until fi nal tissue separation is complete.At fi rst the areas may appear deceptively healthy. Most people do not arrive at the doctor with frozen, dead tissue. Only time can reveal the fi nal amount of tissue damage.

When to Seek Medical CareA doctor must be able to see and feel the affected area. A simple telephone call is probably not suffi cient in all but the mildest cases of cold injury to hands and feet. You

need to see a doctor for care.At the time of initial evaluation, it is very diffi cult to categorize the injury as superfi cial or deep, and even more diffi cult to ascertain the amount of tissue damage. Therefore, all people should be seen by a doctor, who will supervise the rewarming process, attempt to classify the injury, and further guide the treatment process. Someone with frostbite will need evaluation for, and possible treatment of, hypothermia and dehydration.

Exams and TestsThe doctor will take a history in order to gather information on the events of the exposure and the medical condition prior to the cold injury.

The doctor will take note of the vital signs, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate in order to exclude or treat any immediate life threats such as hypothermia or severe infection.X-rays may be performed, but they probably will be deferred until weeks later when they are more useful to the treatment team.The doctor will collect data in order to classify the injury as superfi cial or deep and the prognosis as favorable or poor.

A good prognosis is heralded by intact sensation, normal skin color, blisters with clear fl uid, the ability to deform the skin with pressure, and the skin becoming pink when thawed.Blisters with dark fl uid, skin turning dark blue when thawed, and an inability to indent the skin with pressure indicate a poor prognosis.

Frostbite Treatment - Self-Care at HomeFirst, call for help.Keep the affected part elevated in order to reduce swellingMove to a warm area to prevent further heat loss.Note that many people with frostbite may be experiencing hypothermia. Saving their lives is more important than preserving a fi nger or foot.Remove all constrictive jewelry and clothes because they may

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further block blood fl ow.Give the person warm, nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated fl uids to drink.Apply a dry, sterile bandage, place cotton between any involved fi ngers or toes (to prevent rubbing), and take the person to a medical facility as soon as possible.Never rewarm an affected area if there is any chance it may freeze again. This thaw-refreeze cycle is very harmful and leads to disastrous results.Also, avoid a gradual thaw either in the fi eld or in the transport vehicle. The most effective method is to rewarm the area quickly. Therefore, keep the injured part away from sources of heat until you arrive at a treatment facility where proper rewarming can take place.Do not rub the frozen area with snow (or anything else, for that matter). The friction created by this technique will only cause further tissue damage.Above all, keep in mind that the fi nal amount of tissue destruction is proportional to the time it remains frozen, not to the absolute temperature to which it was exposed. Therefore, rapid transport to a hospital is very important.

Medical TreatmentAfter initial life threats are excluded, rewarming is the highest priority.

This is accomplished rapidly in a water bath heated to 40-42°C (104-107.6°F) and continued until the thaw is complete (usually 15-30 minutes).Narcotic pain medications may be given because this process is very painful.Because dehydration is very common, IV fl uids may also be given.

After rewarming, post-thaw care is undertaken in order to prevent infection and a continuing lack of oxygen to the area

The clear blisters are removed while the bloody ones are left intact so as not to disturb the underlying blood vesselsA tetanus booster is given if needed.

People with frostbite are hospitalized for at least 1-2 days to determine the extent of injury and to receive further treatment.

Aloe vera cream is applied every 6 hours, and the area is elevated and splinted.Ibuprofen is given twice per day to combat infl ammation and penicillin or another appropriate antibiotic given to prevent infection.For deep frostbite, daily water therapy in a 40°C (104°F) whirlpool bath will be performed in order to remove any dead tissue.

A number of experimental therapies do exist, many of which aim to further treat the infl ammation or decreased blood fl ow seen in frostbite. As of yet, none of these treatments has proven benefi cial.

Next Steps - Follow-upSymptoms follow a predictable pathway. Numbness initially is followed by a throbbing sensation that begins with rewarming and may last weeks to months. This is then typically replaced by a lingering feeling of tingling with occasional electric-shock sensations. Cold sensitivity, sensory loss, chronic pain, and a

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variety of other symptoms may last for years.

The treatment of frostbite is done over a period of weeks to months. Defi nitive therapy, possibly in the form of surgery, may not be performed for up to 6 months after the initial injury. Therefore, establish a working relationship between you and your doctor that will continue throughout the healing process.

PreventionThe fi rst step in preventing frostbite is knowing whether you are at increased risk for the injury.

Most cases of frostbite are seen in alcoholics, people with psychiatric illness, car accidents or car breakdowns in bad weather, and recreational drug misuse.All of these conditions share the problem of cold exposure and either the unwillingness or inability of a person to remove himself or herself from this threat.Tobacco smokers and people with diseases of the blood vessels also are at increased risk because they have an already decreased amount of blood fl ow to their arms and legs.Homelessness, fatigue, dehydration, improper clothing, and high altitude are additional risk factors.

Although people don’t always know or acknowledge these dangers, many of the dangers can be reduced or prevented.

Dress for the weather.Layers are best, and mittens are better than gloves (keeps your warm fi ngers together while warming each other).Wear 2 pairs of socks, with the inner layer made of synthetic fi ber, such as polypropylene, to wick water away from the skin and the outer layer made of wool for increased insulation.Shoes should be waterproof.Cover your head, face, nose, and ears at all times.Clothes should fi t loosely to avoid a decrease in blood fl ow to the arms and legs.Always travel with a friend in case help is needed.Avoid smoking and alcohol.

People with diabetes and anyone with vessel disease should take extra precautions, as should the very young, very old, and unconditioned.

Be especially wary of wet and windy conditions. The “feels like” temperature (wind-chill) is actually much lower than the stated air temperature.

OutlookA common saying among surgeons who have treated people with frostbite is “frostbite in January, amputate in July.” It often takes months before the fi nal separation between healthy and dead tissue may be determined. If surgery is performed too early, the risks of removing tissue that may eventually recover or leaving behind tissue that may eventually die are great. Some radiographic techniques currently are being investigated that may be able to make this division much sooner, thus permitting earlier defi nitive treatment.

Beyond this waiting period, 65% of people will suffer long-term symptoms because of their frostbite. Common symptoms include pain or abnormal sensations in the extremity, heat or cold sensitivity, excessive sweating, and arthritis.

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Twenty-Two Reasons Why a Child Can’t Sit StillBy Loren Shlaes, OTR/LLoren Shlaes, is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration and school related issues, particularly handwriting. She lives and practices in Manhattan. She blogs at http://www.pediatricOT.blogspot.com/

1. The child does not get enough exercise. Children require huge amounts of movement, preferably outside, every single day. Movement and exercise is as essential as food for children in order to stay organized, develop and mature their nervous systems, improve their coordination, strength and motor planning, and to be healthy! So many of us live in cities now and have just forgotten how vital it is for a child’s health and development to go outside and play. Have parents bring the child to the playground for half an hour before school starts, and let him play on the equipment, or have a game of touch football, statues, or tag. And if his teacher takes away recess as a punishment, you must insist that she fi nd another way to help him manage his behavior. He is acting out because he needs to move more, not less!

2. The child has poor postural stability, low muscle tone, and a weak trunk and spine. This makes sitting physically exhausting, uncomfortable and painful. Circle time is especially grueling since sitting unsupported is such hard work.

3. The child’s chair/desk at school does not fi t. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into classrooms and seen children whose desks literally come up to their necks while their chairs are so high that their feet are dangling on the fl oor. Could you sit and do your work like that?

4. The child is tactile defensive and his clothing bothers him. Or he is sitting in too close proximity to others and his alarm system is clanging away, instructing him to fl ee.

5. The child is sitting with his back exposed and people are walking behind him, again setting off alarm bells. He should be sitting with his back to the wall, preferably niched in a corner.

6. The child is auditory defensive and his ears hurt. A child who can manage in a quiet, low stimulation atmosphere but can’t control his behavior in a noisy environment is probably suffering mightily in all of the chaos. Or he may not understand the teacher’s instructions if she is talking over many chattering voices. A good clue about auditory defensiveness: a child who runs around the perimeter of the classroom, acts out, and can’t engage in any goal oriented behavior when the room is noisy.

7. The child is a poor breather. Shallow breathing sets up the body for fi ght or fl ight, and it’s very hard to sit still when every cell in your body is urging you to get up and check for predators.

8. The child has undetected visual problems. It’s exhausting and frustrating to try to attend to close work if you can’t see what you’re doing. The child’s eyes may be so unstable that he is seeing double, seeing fl oaters, or visual images are shimmering, which is anxiety provoking. The light in his classroom might be bothering

him. In Manhattan many children are expected to sit all day long in inside classrooms with no natural light or outside ventilation. I get headaches just thinking about it.

9. The child’s inner ear is not functioning well. The inner ear tells us how alert/upright or at ease we should be in response to movement. {Roller coaster: very alert and upright! Hammock: very drowsy and relaxed.} If the child’s inner ear is not registering movement very well, it’s not telling the body to sit up and attend. The child is driven to move in order to provide the intensity he needs to stay upright and aroused.

10. The child’s nervous system has not matured along with his chronological age. This means that primitive movement patterns, which should be dormant, are instead active and present, dominating the way the child responds to his environment. Primitive refl ex patterns lower the child’s muscle tone automatically when he

turns his head and body in certain positions. This interferes with, among many other things, his balance, equilibrium, and vision. Or things that would not even register to us, like a dog barking in the distance, can throw the child’s system into a startle, making it hard for him to stay grounded.

11. The child’s metabolic processes are not functioning well. Does the child have undetected food allergies, diffi culty sleeping, leaky gut syndrome, candida, heartburn? Is the child constipated? Is he subsisting on a diet of refi ned carbs, sweets, and processed food, and so is inadequately nourished? Children need lots of high quality protein and complex carbs to fuel their bodies for learning and attention.

12. The child does not get enough sleep, or the sleep that he does get is not resting him properly. Can he transition well to bedtime? Does he get ten or eleven hours every night? Is there good ventilation in his bedroom? Are the lights off in his room? If a child is hard to wake up and grouchy in the mornings, chances are that he isn’t a good sleeper. A poorly rested body does not support the brain for learning.

13. The child may be too young or too immature to be in a classroom. In my clinical opinion, most three year old boys would be much better off waiting another year or two before starting school. They simply don’t have the emotional or neurological maturity to be handle all of the rules and expectations of the classroom.

14. The expectations of the classroom are too much, and the child feels lost, inadequate, and confused. Four year olds should not be expected to learn to write. They simply don’t have the internal stability, attention span, or visual discrimination required for such high level work yet. Let them wait until they are developmentally ready. One of the very best schools in Manhattan, the Rudolph Steiner School, does not start the children writing until they are seven. Their children have beautiful handwriting and are exceptional scholars. Continued on page 9...

False AlarmsPhotos by Sheryl Drost

There were many random alarms this month such as CO, fi re or small fi res that were already out. Here are a couple:

Steam that looked like smoke prompted a couple calls on Prairie Hill Rd.

An oven fi re on Ebonywood was out when units arrived on scene.

The Firehouse Scene - The Firehouse Scene - Page 5www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

ACCIDENTS Photos by Sheryl Drost, Marcia Soppe & Capt. Jay Alms

01/27/2013 Belvidere Rd. 02/02/2013 I-90 Rollover

02/03/2013 Hwy 251 & Hwy 173 01/27/2013 Hononegah Rd.

Truck FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Temperatures were sub zero when fi refi ghters responded to a report of a truck fi re at the Frito Lay building on Turrett Dr. on Jan. 22. Black smoke could easily be seen from miles away so it was evident there was a working fi re. Units arrived and found a Frito Lay delivery truck on fi re and went to work on extinguishing it. The truck was loaded with product and any that survived the fi re would have to be destroyed due to the smoke. No one was injured.

First in units encountered a lot of fi re as seen in the photo above as well as the front page photo.

Captain Jay Alms and Firefi ghter Joe Koeninger make their attack on the fi re.

Firefi ghters fi nish hitting hot spots in the delivery truck.

Firefi ghter Kyle Alms overhauls the product inside to reach all the fi re as Firefi ghter Joe Koeninger stands by with the hose line.

Car Fire Photos by Chief Shoevlin

Firefi ghters were dispatched for a car on fi re inside a garage on Prairie Hill Rd. at the Erickson Auto Parts on Jan. 29. When units arrived, they found two cars had been on fi re and workers had already gotten them out of the building and that they had the fi re almost out using a garden hose.


15. The child is hungry, thirsty, tired, or has to go to the bathroom.

16. The child is over scheduled. Children need lots of unstructured down time to recharge their batteries, allow their brains to integrate new information and their nervous systems to develop and mature, and to connect with their creativity. A child who has two or three activities every day after school and on the weekend is expected to be “on” way too much. Urge parents of young children to cut back on the enrichment programs, schedule just one or two activities after school, and take them outside to play instead.

17. The child is spending too much time in front of screens. This is especially true if the child can’t transition well to sleep after spending time on a computer. Is the child watching or playing games with excessively violent content? Instruct parents to strictly limit time spent in front of televisions and computers and use the time instead for playing outside and creative pursuits {crafts, painting, writing stories, playing a musical instrument, dancing, etc.}. Have them turn off the computer a minimum of two hours before bedtime, or better yet, allow the child just an hour or two on the weekend. Screen time takes away from the time a child should be physically active, strengthening his body and developing his nervous system, and it shows up later when the child is driven to move.

18. His parents are going through a hard time, or don’t get along. Strife at home will upset any child’s equilibrium. Children are far more sensitive to these things than we know. If parents are stressed out, rarely home, argue a lot, tense and hostile with each other, or are otherwise going through their own issues, it will show up in the child’s behavior.

19. The child’s parents and caretakers don’t teach him to respond to adult redirection, so he thinks that obeying grown-ups is optional.

20. The adults who care for the child spend inordinate amounts of time on their electronic devices during their time together, or otherwise ignore him.

21. The child is expected to sit still for too long. I have so very often observed classrooms where very young children were expected to sit for long, long periods without ever getting up, being given a drink of water, or anything to eat.

22. The child is bored. Many reasons why this could be — the grown-ups don’t have a realistic idea about the child’s attention span, the activity is too diffi cult or too easy, or the child expects everything to be like television or the computer: loud, lots of chatter and images quickly passing by, lots of novelty.

“Sometimes angriness just pushes those good feelings right out of your head, so you just gotta fi gure out how to push your good feelings back in!”

~Samantha Daughenbaugh (Age 8)

BUGLE ALARMMonthly article written by a Harlem-Roscoe Fire Offi cer.

What is the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Among Firefi ghters?By Capt. Tim Bergeron

I have always had a feeling as though I know what the Brother/Sisterhood is. There are many great fi refi ghters who exemplify the “Brother/Sisterhood” and many others who think it is merely wearing a shirt or putting a sticker on their car. To me it is many things, but in reality it is only one….

If you were to take a fi refi ghter and strip them of their badge, remove their turnout gear, peel their skin back, and remove the organs, the Brotherhood/Sisterhood is that small fi re that continues to burn inside of them.

That small fi re cannot be extinguished, cannot be contained, and cannot be taken away. It is what makes you a fi refi ghter and you must not for any reason let personal feelings hamper any decision to help another “Brother/Sister”.

Some claim that there is a Brother/Sisterhood among career fi refi ghters and a different one among volunteer fi refi ghters. I think that fi refi ghting has a brother/sisterhood and that all else might bond you in a different/extra way.

In thinking of Brother/Sisterhood, it means no matter what, you will be there for each other, unconditionally. If I have something you need, it should never be too good for you not to use it. If you just need someone to talk to I should be offering that listening ear. If you are a little short on cash to put food on the table and I got it, should be yours no questions asked. With no favors expected in return. Most of all give the gift of knowledge, share what you know. Brother/Sisterhood is the understanding that above all differences of opinion, feuds, hurt feelings, and just plain old not getting along you understand that you have a duty to all fi refi ghters equally.

Brotherhood might have once been coined for men. However, this day in age it encompasses all sexes, creeds, and races. This day in age we need the brother/sisterhood more than anything. We need to continue to light that fi re in our new fi refi ghters and make sure that the fi re continues to burn in our veteran fi refi ghter’s. Look around you, it doesn’t matter what department you are in, I am certain you can come up with examples of fi refi ghters who just don’t get it. Don’t give up on them. Keep trying to show them the way.

If you have that fi re burning inside of you, it is your duty to keep the Brother/Sisterhood alive. Now I ask you what does Brother/Sisterhood mean to you?

Firefi ghting - one of the few professions left that still makes house calls. ~Author Unknown

House FirePhotos by Marcia Soppe

Firefi ghters responded to a report of a chimney fi re on Poppy Ct. on Feb. 1 with temperature hovering the 0 degree mark. Not only did that make the wind-chill below zero, but the hydrant in front of the house, as well as the one down the block, were frozen. A MABAS Box was dispatched to bring tenders (tankers) and more manpower. In-coming tenders were then used to refi ll the attack trucks because it was too cold to use the folding tanks.

First in fi refi ghters encountered heavy smoke but were able to make an aggressive attack on the fi re and save most of the home. Firefi ghters then overhauled the chimney chase and attic looking for hot spots.

The two closest hydrants were frozen and water had to be shuttled in with tenders.

Firefi ghters hook up water supply to the attack truck and ventilate the roof.

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Firefi ghters head up to the roof to ventilate.

Harlem-Roscoe and North Park Firefi ghters work side-by-side to pull soffi ts looking for any fi re extension.

The Firehouse Scene - The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefi re.comwww.harlemroscoefi re.com

Fire apparatus from mutual aid departments line up with Harlem-Roscoes.

2013 HARLEM-ROSCOEHARLEM-ROSCOE

FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION’SFIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION’SN

SPRINGSPRINGDINNERDINNER

Saturday...

March 23, 2013March 23, 20135pm - 8pm

10544 Main St. Roscoe

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Tickets:Adults - $8Kids 5 to 12 - $4Under age 5 - Free

For Carryout & Local Delivery:

Call 815-623-7867 the day of the dinner.

Menu: Ham, Roast Beef Cole slaw, Buns Mashed potatoes Vegetables, Dessert Milk and Coffee.

From the Chief’s DeskBy Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

We are well on our way to the beginning of another successful busy year. We responded to 251 calls in the month of January.

The winter weather had been docile for the most part, then this week we have got a couple bouts of snow . We ask if you live by a f re hydrant please try to keep it clear of snow. The snow is a welcome sight for the up-coming spring growing season.

Speaking of spring, it is on the way . Have you noticed the sun is rising earlier and setting later. Another sign of spring is our annual Spring Dinner. Planning is well underway for the event that will be held on March 23rd. Watch your mail for further information on this event, it will be going out in the next couple of weeks.

Congratulations to Nino Girardin, Mike Helland, Stefani Layman, and Brett Parrish on their successful completion of the state requirements and exam for their EMT license. You are commended for this and all you do for the district and department.

We are beginning our 2013 recruit class. These individuals will go through over 100 hours of training, which they must successfully complete before they begin to respond to any incidents. We have a class of 13 individual who are ready and committed to become f ref ghters. We also have a dedicated group of instructor’s willing to devote their time to teach these individual to become a safe and prof cient f ref ghters.

We should be taking delivery of our new ambulance we ordered in October here shortly. The company has informed us that we should receive it either the end of February or early March.

On March 9th and 10th we will be participating in the RORO Expo held at Hononegah High School. We will also be partnering with our brothers and sisters from Rockton Fire to host a pancake breakfast at the Expo. It will be held on Sunday March 10th from 9:00 to 12:00 at the high school. All proceeds from this event will go to Camp “I am Me” The mission of camp is to provide a safe environment for children who have experienced signi f cant burn injuries. It is their goal to provide a non-judgmental atmosphere in which children have the opportunity to build their self-esteem as they enjoy the varied activities that make up their week long camp experience. We hope you stop by for breakfast, but then don’ t forget to come see as at our booth.

Remember to bookmark our website www .harlemroscoef re.com and / or friend us on Facebook to keep up with the progress of the department, individuals, and the calls we might have been on. Don’t hesitate to contact me or stop by if I can be of any assistance.

Gone,But not forgotten

Some people come into our lives, And quickly go. Some stay awhile and leave footprints in our hearts.

And, we are never, ever the same.

Dispatcher Jerry Lunds’ mother , Phyllis Lund passed away Jan. 14. in Arizona. Northwest Fire Chief Tom Ragnar Sr. passed away Jan. 11.

It is with a heavy heart we send out our heart-felt prayers and sympathies to family and friends of Jerry & Tom.

Chief Ragnar working with a couple Harlem-Roscoe fi refi ghters in extricating a victim from a car crash.

Chief Ragnar poses with a group of Chiefs at a WFCA Christmas party.

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BirthdaysFebruary10th Neil Roe Rob Gonia15th Scott Jensen24th Sean Laurent

March4th John Donovan ‘50th’6th Steve Shoevlin Christy Wilson9th John Donahue16th Aaron Miller Adam Cox23rd Radi Huggard Justin Mayton26th Nino Grardin ‘30th”29th Sheryl Drost

John Donovan ‘50th’March 4th

The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1.

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available after the second Sunday each month. Copies can be picked up at Fire Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe, The North Suburban Library and several local government offi ces. It is also posted on the department’s website www.harlemroscoefi re.comE-mail submissions to Sheryl:[email protected]


Congratulations to Justin Harwood and his f ance Carmen on the birth of their son, Cameron Michael, on Dec. 15. Cameron measured in at 7lbs. 1oz. and 19in. long. Big Sister Olivia (6) is totally in love with him. Justin says mom and baby are doing great. Congrats again Justin and Carmen, he is adorable!

Station Tour Photos by Sheryl Drost

the firehouse sceneIs a monthly publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

As The Station Turns...By Sheryl Drost

Our prayers and wishes for continued recovery go out to our Trustee Al Bach after his recent hospital stay. Colleen is thinking the arrangement of the green and gold fl owers the department sent just might have helped a little as well!Congratulations to our new EMT-Bs, Mike Helland, Nino Girardin, Stefani Layman and Brett Parrish!!Ask Sean about the moment of panic when you think the fi re truck you are in is rolling backwards towards the water! Seems the truck next to the one Sean was sitting in started going forward giving him the illusion he was moving backwards, into the pond; yep, panic set in! I was teasing the guys when they were practicing removing their SCBAS and crawling under the fi re trucks to make sure they didn’t leave anyone under there. Come to fi nd out, Stefani had gotten stuck! Yep, the skinniest one here....lol Sorry Marcia, the Chief denied your request for cushions to be put in the minivans we use for traveling to trainings. As I hitched a ride in the command vehicle with DC Bergeron to the truck fi re, we were discussing how smart we both were in that we had prepared for the below zero temps by wearing thermals. Now if I had just remembered my gloves! Was out of town for the Poppy Ct. fi re and the only response I got when I asked about the fi re was, it was COLD! I hear we even had a Soppycyle when Photog Marcia responded from work without all her warm gear.The guys took the pickup down to the pond to set up for ice rescue class and accidentally locked the keys in the truck. The rescue lock kit was brought out and they went to work at unlocking it. Chief chuckled as he watched, knowing he had the spare key in his pocket!Pilot to co-pilot - Thanks Marcia for the directions!One of my favorite things to photograph is fi refi ghters having fun with the kids, like Stefani, Chad and Jesse were having while giving a tour to a group of home-schooled kids in the photos on page 11.During a recent class our fi re investigators and I attended, they played a clip on how an experienced Fire Chief made a critical decision quickly during a volatile wild fi re and saved hundreds of homes. When asked how he knew what to do, that Chief replied, he just knew. What do you mean, he just knew? The instructor went on to explain that the mind is like a slide show recalling experiences. He said there wasn’t time to sit and talk about it, a decision had to be made quickly and that the Chief knew intuitively what to do from past experiences! Some more little tidbits from the class:

67% of fi rst impressions are correct.The brain matures between ages 25 and 35.Teachers can tell 70% of the time if someone is lying.Figure out a person’s dominant modality and you willbe able to communicate better with them, be it visual (I see), audio (I hear) or kinesthetic (I feel). Children and adults learn better in their dominate modality as well. No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar.Love is a combination of Joy and Acceptance.

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The Firehouse Scene - www.harlemroscoefi re.com

February 2013 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

Photo by Sheryl Drost

Frito Lay Truck FirePage 4

House FirePage 3

Hanging out at the hot tub?

March 10, 2013March 10, 2013

& CO& CO

by sheryl drost the firehouse scene feb co… · february 2013 fire chief don shoevlin editor...

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