Preparation is key for emergency crews in the North Hills during extreme weather patterns.
First responders are ready for action during the cold spell and will continue the same practices as harsh conditions continue or if they return in the coming months.
“We go in the snow,” was Chief Chris Dell’s response on how the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority deals with icy precipitation.
Calls have been slightly less than normal, said Dell, as of Jan. 28.
“However, each call is more difficult due to the snow and cold. We have shoveled many driveways and walkways,” he said.
For extra support, the MFPAA utilizes command staff to attend each call to ensure patients aren’t subjected to harsh conditions for too long. And the MFPAA has great working relationships with local fire departments, police departments and road crews, all of which helped during the storm in numerous ways, he said.
“We are placing great emphasis on patient and crew member safety. Ambulances are equipped with additional blankets, some of which are heated, salt and even shovels,” Dell said.
The chief explained that during the recent extreme weather the MFPAA staffed additional ambulances and four-wheel-drive vehicles throughout its services areas of Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, Marshall, McCandless and Pine.
“Our crews continue to be impressive with the ‘MacGyver-like’ ways to ensure quality patient care despite the difficulties they are facing on every call,” Dell said.
Bradford Woods Volunteer Fire Company was aided by Bradford Woods’ road crew to keep roads as clear as possible, including the driveway to the fire station off Forest Road, said Shelly Muhlenkamp, the company’s vice president.
The Bradford Woods station prepped ahead of the storm, ensuring all of its trucks were fueled. Volunteer firefighters also underwent extra training in the event of a chimney fire in the borough, she said.
During the snowstorm, members focused on digging out fire hydrants.
“If there is a fire in the community, the last thing we want is a buried fire hydrant and wasting precious time having to locate the hydrant and dig it out,” Muhlenkamp said.
The borough office keeps a list of residents who may need additional help during an emergency.
“We called those residents to ensure that they were safe and remained in contact through the storm,” Muhlenkamp said.
As far as staying warm in this type of weather, a firefighter’s turnout gear generally does a good job, said Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company Chief Greg Quatchak.
The bigger issue in extreme temperatures is what happens after fighting an active fire with water. As soon as it’s done, everything freezes up and is covered in ice, including coats and other gear, he said.
“Water is continuously freezing. Fighting fire in this weather is very difficult and adds another level of complexity,” Quatchak said.
Even for a truck sitting idle, within minutes the water and pump can start to freeze. Crews have to start circulating the water as soon as a truck is stopped. Otherwise, the pumps can freeze, and they’d have to return to the station and wait for it to thaw out. It also could damage fittings around the pump, he said.
Working in this weather can be “brutal,” he said, noting it helps to get mentally prepared for the cold.
For the McCandless Police Department, it has been “business as usual” regarding the types and volume of emergency calls during the recent extreme weather conditions, Chief Ryan Hawk said.
During the past weekend’s snowstorm, McCandless officers operated under “storm mode,” meaning that if an officer could handle something via telephone, they did so. That way, there was no unnecessary travel during the extreme snowfall, Hawk said.
“Of course, we still responded to emergency calls during the snowstorm. However, that was just during the heavy snow, and we have returned to normal operations despite the extreme cold that we are facing now,” he said.
There weren’t any major issues or significant calls for service during this week’s extreme cold and snowfall for the Franklin Park Police Department either, Chief Aron Leach said.
It helps when residents heed the weather advisories and recommendations to avoid unnecessary travel, which they did during snowstorm Fern.
“PennDOT and the Franklin Park Road Department did an excellent job staying on top of road treatment and plowing throughout the consistent snowfall,” Leach said.
Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 also did not see an increase in call volume during the storm, but Chief Bill Chicots anticipates that the three days with subzero temperatures may have an impact.
“The dangers during these weather events are slips and falls due to ice forming so quickly, so everything is done at a much slower pace for safety reasons,” Chicots said.