There were disasters galore on Friday and Saturday, April 29-30 as emergency responders from around the region gathered for training at the 27th annual Cook County Emergency Services Conference. This vehicle fire gave new firefighters the chance to complete their training and gave other members a refresher.
Disaster struck in multiple locations last week with a cold water rescue, car fire and a search for a missing person all at the same time. But News-Herald readers need not be alarmed—it was all training at the 27th annual Cook County Emergency Services Conference.
For two days—Friday and Saturday, April 29-30, emergency responders from around the region gathered in Grand Marais to undergo training that will help in the scenarios listed above. There were interesting classroom presentations on emerging diseases, on identifying and treating life-threatening heart issues, on dealing with the public—and the media—in a crisis, on extreme weather and on obstetrics for emergency responders.
There were hands-on sessions on vehicle fire and extrication with Jeff Mayer and Les Albert of Advanced MN. A pick-up and a small sedan were set afire multiple times to give firefighters from various departments the chance to safely extinguish the blaze.
The Cook County Emergency Services Conference on April 29-30 had many exercises for emergency responders, such as this cold water rescue. Steven Gray of the Lutsen Fire Department is the “victim” being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Emergency responders headed to the Grand Marais harbor to work with the U.S. Coast Guard on cold water rescues, using a “banana boat” and a flotation board. The Lutsen Volunteer Fire Department also practiced using its ResQmax line gun. “Victims” Steven Gray of Lutsen, Chuck Silence of Grand Marais and Peggi Potter of Silver Bay were “rescued” several times.
As those activities took place, BJ Kohlstedt of Lake County Emergency Management taught a session on search management techniques and then led an afternoon drill using sound triangulation, Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS), amateur radio and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Throughout the conference the UAV was demonstrated by Terry Stolzman, Emergency Management director of Anoka County which has purchased the device for use for observation and tactical planning. There was healthy discussion of the balance between privacy concerns and public safety benefits.
As the high-tech UAV hovered overhead, older, but still very effective technology was being used. Amateur radio operators, sometimes called “Hams,” were set up in the Lake County Mobile Command Station, providing a valuable link between emergency personnel in all fields. Jeff Nast and Jayne Johnson and other amateur radio operators were on hand to explain the role they play in times of disaster.
Above: Thank you, Emergency Services providers! Recognized by their peers were Kelly Dahl, who received the 2016 Emergency Services Provider of the Year award and Schroeder Fire Chief Phil Bonin, who received the 2016 Dolly Johnson Friend of Emergency Services award.
Caring for each other
As always, one of the most valuable parts of the Emergency Services Conference is the networking between different departments and across disciplines. A dinner sponsored by Gunflint Lodge on Friday night and by Cook County Commissioner Garry Gamble and his wife Renee on Saturday gave emergency responders time to visit casually after training.
Two speakers livened up the evening, the first Valerie Marasco, Public Information Officer for the city of Thunder Bay. Marasco shared some secrets of public relations successes—not just during times of crisis. She pointed out that ongoing public education is very important.
Above: Terry Stolzman, Anoka County Emergency Management director, demonstrated how an unmanned aerial vehicle (AUV) could be used in emergency situations. Left: Jayne Johnson, a member of the Cook County ARES Response Team (CCART), shared information on how amateur radio operators give aid in emergencies.
Kevin Reed, deputy director of Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management, gave a heartfelt talk about being a volunteer firefighter and fire chief in his community. Heads nodded as he said he “loved every minute of it—and hated every minute of it.”
Reed talked about the changes he has seen since he began working for the Department of Public Safety in 2008. He ticked off things considered at the conference that hadn’t been a concern just a few years ago such as emerging diseases, changing radio systems, UAVs, and the new ways to respond to vehicle crashes and fires.
“I used to just be able to throw on my turnout gear and head to a fire or accident. In the ‘good old days,’ I didn’t have to worry about air bags to dodge. When I cut into a car to help someone, I didn’t have to wonder, ‘How do I cut this without hurting them more—or getting hurt myself?” Reed said.
“That’s just been in the last 15 years,” he continued. “What’s going to happen in the future?”
Adding to stress for Northland emergency workers, Reed noted, was the interaction across an international border. He complimented Cook County for creating an Integrated Emergency Management System with its Canadian counterparts. He said only three of Minnesota’s 87 counties have such a plan. “We can barely work with Iowa and Wisconsin and you’re working with Canada,” he quipped.
Reed brought laughter to the audience, but ended on a solemn note. He said sadly suicides among law enforcement, firefighters and other emergency workers is nearly catching up with members of the military. “We need to do something about that,” he said.
Reed encouraged people to step away from emergency service if they must. He retired from his fire department in 2011 when a friend pointed out to him— and he reluctantly admitted— that he had reached the limit of cumulative stress. “I still think about things,” he said. “But I don’t go back there anymore.”
“We need to take care of each other,” Reed advised. “If you’re not sleeping or eating or sleeping or eating too much. If you’re reliving every minute of a call— talk to someone. Watch others, help them out, talk to them.”
Fire Chief Phil Bonin recognized as friend to other departments
The Emergency Services Conference gives the opportunity for the community to recognize some of the hard-working people in our midst. Cook County Emergency Management Director Jim Wiinanen was pleased to announce the recipients of two awards.
The Dolly Johnson Friend of Emergency Services Award, named after the late Dolly Johnson, a feisty and beloved law enforcement dispatcher, often goes to a civilian who has aided Cook County emergency services in some way. This year though, the award went to a man who was recognized for his cooperative efforts across various emergency entities in the county.
Paul McFarlane and Tom Thompson of the Colvill Fire Department nominated Phil Bonin of Schroeder for the award. They noted his long tenure as Schroeder fire chief and his recent appointment as co-director of the Tofte/Schroeder EMS Squad.
“In all the years we have had occasion to work with Phil, he has shown great dedication to his department and the fire and rescue service,” they wrote.
Kelly Dahl named 2016 Outstanding Emergency Services Provider
Jim Morrison, the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department chief and Laura Popkes GTVFD ambulance director, along with Dr. Jenny Delfs, GTVFD medical director, nominated Kelly Dahl as the 2016 Outstanding Emergency Services Provider.
They noted that Dahl goes “above and beyond” the call of duty. In addition to being an emergency room RN and EMT, Dahl is a certified wilderness First Responder instructor. She was commended for giving Gunflint responders a realistic training experience, in part because of her skills in simulating injuries through moulage.
Dr. Delfs added kudos for Dahl’s work in improving EMS services, through training, writing grants and more. “My role of medical director would be much more difficult without her paddling with me…she’s the gal in the back of the canoe. It has been a fun trip,” wrote Delfs.
Wiinanen commended both honorees, noting, “This year’s recipients embody a healthy emergency response community. Phil is a veteran in the fire service in Schroeder. To be considered a veteran is an honor in itself because it is getting rare to see emergency responders, especially in a volunteer service, stay with it as long as Phil has.
“Kelly by contrast is newer to emergency service in the community. She set her sights on what she wanted to learn in the medical field, embracing some of the newest technology to save heart attack patients in the pre-hospital environment. At this year’s conference Kelly coordinated two training sessions on one of these newer technologies.
“Bravo to these award recipients, both are deserving,” said Wiinanen.
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