Chief Winn Really Isn't Interested in Getting Volunteers, Really

In my opinion Chief Winn isn't really interested in getting volunteers. He kept the current volunteers on to prevent people from complaining if he dumped the volunteer program, but it appears he Really Isn't Interested in New Volunteers. 

At the September 25th board meeting the chief mentioned a former volunteer coming back and two new volunteers had interest but hadn't got back to him. 

At the October 23rd meeting the chief said nothing about volunteers. 

It shouldn't take months to get a former volunteer setup and working. Especially a well trained former volunteer who was fired by the former chief for disagreeing with him. 

This is about my attempt to volunteer with Chief Winn

September 3rd 

I contacted Chief Winn about volunteering

September 15th 

I had a meeting with Chief Winn about coming back as a volunteer. 

September 22nd A week Later

I sent the chief an email to see what was going on about volunteering

September 29th Another week Later

I sent Chief Winn and email saying I hadn't received a reply from him. 

October 4th Another week Later

I had not received any response from the chief so I sent a message to the administrative assistant asking if his email was working.

Most business people on vacation use the auto-reply function on email telling people they're out of the office and when they will return. Chief doesn't apparently doesn't understand basic business communications.. The AA replied it was working he had contacted her.

October 5th Finally

A week after my last email to him Chief Winn replied to my September 29th email. He said "I just got back from vacation today. I have been doing some research into what we had discussed and I will need to schedule a meeting with you once I get all the info I have been gathering. I'm hoping by next week I will be able to arrange a meeting with you.

Week of October 12th

Chief said he hoped we would meet this week but so far nothing from the chief about meeting

October 24th 12 Days Later

I sent Chief Winn an another email saying "It's been a month and a half since we met any decision yet?"

October 29th 5 Days Later

Still noting from Chief Winn

It's been about a month and a half since I met with Chief Winn about volunteering. With our limited manpower and long response times  volunteers who works for nothing rather than $500 per shift should be a priority, but it's not with Chief Winn

It's pretty clear Chief Winn is not interested in volunteers. He only keeps the current volunteers who were hired by Chief Bonnee so he won't piss off the community. Why on earth should it take months to get an experienced volunteer back to work?

I'm tired of people who don't live in the fire district telling taxpayers what we need and what to do. We need a chief who promotes volunteers rather than blow them off. 

Anybody should be able to volunteer in the office, as a firefighter, or whatever, it's OUR fire district. Why is it that only people who don't live in the fire district have access what's going on in the office. Locking out taxpayers as volunteers especially in the office looks like they have something to hide. 

What's up with new hire chiefs taking weeks of vacation before working a year. I thought you earned vacation after working a year not a couple months. 

Lets Talk About Volunteers and Marijuana

Arizona is about to vote to legalize marijuana. Here's something to think about when the ambulance take over an hour.... 

Today marijuana is legal for recreational use in 11 states including Nevada and California, and medical marijuana is legal in 33 states including Arizona. 

We need to change how we look at medical marijuana use and volunteers in Arizona. Nobody wants anyone responding on a call impaired from marijuana, alcohol, or any other substance. 

Volunteer firefighters are difficult to find in large communities let alone small communities like ours. Who want's to carry a pager 24/7 to get called out at dinner time and in the middle of the night for free? 

It's time we get over the prejudice and druggie stereotype of people who use marijuana. You would be surprised how many of our leading business and government officials use marijuana rather than alcohol. Remember marijuana is legal in Washington DC... 

In 2013 CBS Channel 5 from Phoenix came up to Dolan to interview me about first responders using marijuana. The article Medical Marijuana Rules Unclear for First Responders pointed out how various agencies dealt with medical marijuana.

It's been 7 years and I hope agencies have changed their outlook on medical marijuana users in Arizona. I understand their reluctance to allow recreational marijuana users to volunteer in Arizona. 

If a volunteer used marijuana legally in Nevada on Saturday and was drug tested after a minor traffic accident on Wednesday. He would be charged with DUI simply because he had metabolites left from using marijuana 5 day ago. 

If the volunteer had an Arizona Medical Marijuana card, law enforcement would need to prove impairment, something they couldn't do after 5 days. 

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act has various protections for patients. When driving police must prove impairment and employers cannot refuse to hire, fire, or otherwise penalize a job candidate or employee because the person is a registered medical marijuana cardholder. In Nevada like alcohol and prescribed medications marijuana isn't included in pre-employment drug screens.

It's time we get over what people do in their own home. The LMRFD had lots of volunteers who provided excellent service, what happened?

FirstNet: Reaching Rural and Remote Parts of America

FirstNet was designed from the ground up for first responders. FirstNet includes Band 14 with higher power equipment for rural areas. 

BUT if the LMRFD doesn't work with FirstNet to let them know where we need communications help, how will they know. 

 Unique Challenges Facing Rural First Responders

We also realize that emergencies don’t know zip codes. That’s why we’re addressing rural coverage needs in multiple ways to deploy the network in places where coverage may be difficult. From the FirstNet fleet of 76 dedicated deployable network assets to the Rapid Deployment Kit, which can envelop first responders in a 300-foot “connected bubble” – ideal for rural and remote emergency situations.

And unique to FirstNet, we’re launching high-power user equipment (HPUE) solutions, like the FirstNet Ready™ Assured Wireless Corporation embedded IoT module and USB connected modem. Following 3GPP standards, power class 1 HPUE solutions can transmit stronger signals. This means HPUE can significantly increase the coverage area for first responders serving rural, remote and tribal communities

https://about.att.com/innovationblog/2020/05/fn_rural_connectivity.html

VOTE Phyllis Aitken and Doug Braaten for the Lake Mohave Ranchos Fire District

Please VOTE

Phyllis Aitken and Doug Braaten have the knowledge and experience to help our fire district.

It's so important that we vote for board members who support volunteers for the fire district.

We have lost too much local control of OUR fire district and we need that back.

I Met with Chief Winn a Month Ago about Volunteering I Told Him I Would Like To Do 3 Things to Help

I met with Chief Winn September 15th about being a volunteer again. I told him I would like to do three things to help the district. Drive equipment when needed, set up emergency communications, and follow up on illegal burns, and I explained why.

Driving

I'm too old to drag hose but I can go out with Scott on brush fires so we have 2 people making it safer. I drove truck for years and would like to drive equipment when needed. I don't know how many millennials can drive a stick shift let alone the 10 speed transmission in one of our water tenders. 

 Communications

The ability to communicate is the most important tool a fire district has. Without communications there's nothing. 

In a disaster without communications there's no way to know who needs help or what roads are open and passable. Remember our fire trucks get stuck quite often now, what if we had an earthquake?  Not knowing what roads are open becomes a life and death situation if the fire truck gets stuck.

I asked Chief Winn if since becoming chief if he had registered his cell phone with WPS the Wireless Priority System. 

He didn't even know what WPS was, so I assume his phone is not registered. He didn't know if the station phones were registered with TSP the Telecommunications Service Priority 

That means in a disaster the chief and our fire stations would have no better chance of making a call on an overloaded system than you or I do, slim to none.

When I asked the chief how the LMRFD would communicate if our local repeater and cell phones were to go down. Chief Winn looked like a deer in the headlights, you know that thousand yard stare like you don't know which way to go.  He has no idea how we would communicate in a disaster. Mohave County Emergency Management has limited emergency communications that would go to more populated areas.

I was shocked Chief Winn didn't know that after 9-11 Congress had authorized a stand alone cellular network designed and built for first responders called FirstNet. FirstNet has high power equipment for rural areas like ours.

I've been a ham radio operator for 40 years and operate a local GMRS repeater on the national emergency frequency in Dolan. I wanted to help set up an emergency communications group of volunteers for Dolan Springs and Meadview so we could gather information in a disaster and get that information to first responders. 

 Illegal Burns

I wanted to follow up on illegal burns and educate people about the dangers during a burning ban and the laws about burning garbage and burning permits. If education didn't work then call MCSO and work with a deputy to get a citation issued. I told the chief I felt many people were from other countries and may respond better to someone wearing a uniform shirt with fire dist patches rather than a tee-shirt. Every time we get called out units respond from Dolan and Meadview putting firefighters at risk running code especially at night with our cows. 

I met with Chief Winn September 15th he said he'd get back to me. Today is October 17th so I'm not sure how serious he is about volunteers. 

Mohave County Sheriff's Report Embezzlement at LMRFD

 Possible Embezzlement at LMRFD 

Read the Mohave County Sheriff's Report

Read the Sheriffs Report on Chatterbox

Chief Winn is Too Busy for Volunteers?

I give up, Chief Winn has time to go on vacation but no time for new volunteers. 

September 3rd I contacted Chief Winn about volunteering. 

September 15th I met with Chief Winn telling him I would like to help drive equipment, setup emergency communications, and follow up on illegal burns we keep responding to time and time again. 

September 22nd I sent an email asking if had chance to talk to emergency management and the sheriff about what we talked about. 

October 4th I had sent several emails but received nothing from Chief Winn so I sent an email to the administrative assistant asking if his email was working. She said it was..

October 5th Chief Winn sent me an email saying "I just got back from vacation today. I have been doing some research into what we had discussed and I will need to schedule a meeting with you once I get all the info I have been gathering. I'm hoping by next week I will be able to arrange a meeting with you.

October 17th Chief Winn must have been too busy all week to worry about volunteers or manpower so I give up.

Why is he taking vacation after only a few months on the job? I always had to be on the job a year before getting paid vacation.

With units responding lights and siren from Meadview on a regular basis leaving Meadview unprotected, add the risk of hitting a cow responding 30 miles to a trash fire and it shows the need for volunteers.

What You Need to Know about Citizens Emergency Response Teams

Community Emergency Response Teams are made up of local volunteers who can be first responders for family and neighbors in a disaster. 

CERT History

The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs.

CERT became a national program in 1993. There are now CERT programs in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and U.S. territories. 

Each is unique to its community and all are essential to building a Culture of Preparedness in the United States. There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide and more than 600,000 people have trained since CERT became a national program.

When a disaster strikes smaller communities like Dolan Springs and Meadview we will be on our own for days or weeks as most aid will be directed to major population areas. This is why we need a CERT team as well as volunteers for the fire district. 

What we have when disaster strikes, is what we have 2-3 firefighters. If roads are damaged there is a good chance the chief won't be in the fire district or won't be able to get here.

When fire strikes in Dolan Springs or Meadview there are always people who show up wanting to help firefighters. As much as firefighters appreciate the help, untrained people are a liability if they become injured at fireground. Rather than helping they're a distraction for firefighters worried about their safety.

If you're one of these people who show up wanting to help, thank you. But please call Chief Winn at the LMRFD Station 41 in Dolan Springs and tell him you would like to help out.

Start or join a local CERT Team. If you're not a joiner then all the CERT Basic Training Material like the Basic CERT Manual are available for those who would like to do the training on their own.

We live in a very rural area with limited response from first responders. That's why it's so important everyone learn these basic skills to deal with emergencies until professional first responders can arrive. 

A CERT team needs a sponsor like the local fire district or law enforcement agency.

The info below is from FEMA's CERT Page. 

Community Emergency Response Team

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.

Our Little Blog has over 40,000 Views from the World

 In August 2015 I was surprised 1000 people had read my little blog about our fire district.

Today my little blog has over 40,000 views from all over the world

United States

29.6K

Russia

2.83K

Ukraine

1.13K

France

836

Germany

705

Poland

449

Canada

390

Portugal

301

Spain

260

Basic life support ambulance transport increases the probability of survival

Truth is there is little difference between the survival rate of patients treated by a paramedic or EMT. The ALS versus BLS Debate 

Advanced ambulance care increases mortality Basic life support ambulance transport increases the probability of survival Patients suffering from trauma, heart attack or stroke have a better chance at survival if they are transported by a basic life support ambulance than by an advanced life support ambulance, according to a new study involving data from nearly 400,000 patients in non-rural counties nationwide.

Paramedics tend to "stay and play" doing patient care where the EMT will load and go to the ER using basic skills to get the patient to definitive care sooner. Dolan Springs to KRMC by ground ambulance is about 30 minutes. If a medical helicopter is called after the ambulance arrives on scene it can take over an hour to get to definitive care.

The city of Mattoon plans to enter into an agreement with Mattoon Firefighters Local 691 to allow newly hired firefighters to EMTs instead of paramedics

Cost to train an EMR around $250 Cost to train an EMT around $1500 Cost to train a paramedic around $20,000

A locally trained EMR can drive and assist an EMT or paramedic on the LMRFD ambulance for only $250.

What Can a Layperson Do in a Medical Emergency?

 Our Emergency Medical Services have grown from a handful of people in a poor Pittsburgh neighborhood to the EMS system we know today with paramedics on most ambulances.

As emergency medicine has grown so have the life saving medications EMT's and paramedics can give in the field, so have the life saving medications a layperson can give.

In Arizona the law 36-2226 allows a layperson to give epinephrine in case of an allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. If you want to learn more about anaphylactic shock check out First Aid for Free's Anaphylactic Awareness page

Narcan also known as Naloxone can also be given by a layperson.
Under A.R.S. § 36-2267, any person may administer an opioid antagonist, like naloxone, to a person who is experiencing an opioid-related overdose. The statute further states, "A person who does this in good faith and without compensation is not liable for any civil or other damages as the result of the act.” 

For more information on the Arizona laws on obtaining or administering Narcan click HERE

Here's more information on How to Recognize an Opioid Overdose

Under ARS 36-2229 the Community Center in Dolan Springs and the Meadview Civic Association could have a couple people trained on how to give breathing treatments in case of respiratory distress.

Everybody needs to know First Aid and CPR... Who ya gonna call?
Learn for FREE at First Aid for Free 

Arizona EMS Laws

Emergency Administration of Epinephrine by good Samaritans 

36-2226 Emergency administration of epinephrine by good Samaritans; exemption from civil liability

A. Notwithstanding any other law, a person may administer epinephrine to another person who is suffering from a severe allergic reaction if the person acts in good faith and without compensation for the act of administering the epinephrine and a health professional who is qualified to administer epinephrine is not immediately available.

B. A person who administers epinephrine pursuant to subsection A is not subject to civil liability for any injury that results from that act unless the person acts with gross negligence, wilful misconduct or intentional wrongdoing.

36-2226.01 Emergency administration of epinephrine authorized entities prescriptions training immunity definitions

Physicians can prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors to an "authorized entity" That’s a school, restaurant, community center, camp, or place of employment where allergens capable of causing anaphylaxis may be present.

Emergency administration of inhalers

36-2229. Emergency administration of inhalers; authorized entities; training; immunity; definitions

A. A physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 or a nurse practitioner who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15 may prescribe inhalers and spacers or holding chambers in the name of an authorized entity for use in accordance with this section, and pharmacists may dispense inhalers and spacers or holding chambers pursuant to a prescription issued in the name of an authorized entity. A prescription issued pursuant to this section is valid for two years.

B. An authorized entity may acquire and stock a supply of inhalers and spacers or holding chambers pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with this section. The inhalers shall be stored in a location that is readily accessible in an emergency and in accordance with the inhaler's instructions for use. An authorized entity shall designate employees or agents who have completed the training required by subsection D of this section to be responsible for the storage, maintenance, control and general oversight of the inhalers and spacers or holding chambers acquired by the authorized entity.

C. If an employee or agent of an authorized entity or another individual who has completed the training required by subsection D of this section believes in good faith that an individual is experiencing respiratory distress, the employee, agent or other individual may provide and administer an inhaler to that individual or may provide an inhaler to the parent, guardian or caregiver of that individual, for immediate administration, regardless of whether the individual who is believed to be experiencing respiratory distress has a prescription for an inhaler and spacer or holding chamber or has previously been diagnosed with a condition requiring an inhaler.

D. An employee, agent or other individual described in subsection B or C of this section shall complete initial training for the use of inhalers and, at least every two years thereafter, shall complete subsequent training. The training shall be conducted by a nationally recognized organization that is experienced in training laypersons in emergency health treatment. Training may be conducted online or in person and, at a minimum, shall cover:

1. How to recognize signs and symptoms of respiratory distress.

2. Standards and procedures for the storage and administration of an inhaler.

3. Emergency follow-up procedures after the administration of an inhaler.

E. The organization that conducts the training required by subsection D of this section shall issue a certificate to each person who successfully completes the training.

F. The administration of an inhaler pursuant to this section is not the practice of medicine or any other profession that otherwise requires licensure.

G. Physicians licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 and nurse practitioners licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15 who prescribe an inhaler and spacer or holding chamber in the name of an authorized entity, authorized entities and employees and agents of authorized entities that provide or administer inhalers and organizations that provide training pursuant to subsection D of this section are immune from civil liability with respect to all decisions made and actions or omissions taken that are based on good faith implementation of the requirements of this section, except in cases of gross negligence, wilful misconduct or intentional wrongdoing.

H. The immunity from civil liability provided in subsection G of this section does not affect a manufacturer's product liability regarding the design, manufacturing or instructions for use of an inhaler and spacer or holding chamber.

I. An authorized entity may accept monetary donations to purchase inhalers and spacers or holding chambers and may accept donations of inhalers and spacers or holding chambers directly from the product manufacturer.

J. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Authorized entity" means any entity or organization in connection with or at which allergens capable of causing respiratory distress symptoms may be present, including recreation camps, day care facilities, youth sports leagues, amusement parks, restaurants and sports arenas.

2. "Bronchodilator" means albuterol or another short-acting bronchodilator that is approved by the United States food and drug administration for the treatment of respiratory distress.

3. "Inhaler" means a device that delivers a bronchodilator to alleviate symptoms of respiratory distress, that is manufactured in the form of a metered-dose inhaler or dry-powder inhaler and that includes a spacer or holding chamber that attaches to the inhaler to improve the delivery of the bronchodilator.

4. "Respiratory distress" includes the perceived or actual presence of coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath.