Volunteer Fire Departments Seeking EMS Help at The Highlands
Joselyn King Trending
WHEELING -- Ohio County's volunteer fire departments would like help from full-time county emergency medical service workers to assess early morning alarms going off at The Highlands.
The Ohio County Fire Chiefs Association has sent county commissioners correspondence asking that, when local volunteer fire departments "are not able to respond to fire alarms at The Highlands," county EMS workers be dispatched to get "eyes on" the building.
County Administrator Randy Russell explained recently there was a call at 5:30 a.m. for a fire alarm going off at a building on Fort Henry Road near The Highlands property. The Valley Grove Volunteer Fire Department got toned first, followed by the Triadelphia, Stone Church, Bethlehem, West Alexander, Pennsylvania, and West Liberty volunteer fire departments.
West Liberty responded, but had to come some distance, Russell continued. They radioed and asked if someone could check the condition of the building in the event they would need to call in the Wheeling Fire Department.
In the end, the West Alexander fire chief arrived first, checked the building and reset the alarm.
"I know EMS is fine doing that, but my concern is where does it stop?" Russell asked. "If you do it at The Highlands, do you do it at the Silgan Manufacturing facility? Or are you going to run down to Triadelphia to Liberty Distribution? Where do you draw the line?'
The EMS workers are stationed at The Highlands, and should remain there, noted Commissioner Zach Abraham.
Solicitor Don Tennant noted the EMS workers do not have the proper breathing apparatus to enter buildings -- if that's what they were being asked to do.
There would be limits to how close they could go to a burning building and "look and see."
Russell indicated he did not think the EMS workers should enter the building, and perhaps have to reset the alarm.
"While these guys may be firefighters with other departments, they are not firefighters with Ohio County," he said.
Abraham said he wants the term "first eyes" on a fire to be clearly defined.
"I'm concerned about the liability issues," he said. "Are they going to have to jump in or dive in?'
County EMS worker Anthony McDaniel was present, and he explained what he would do if called upon to respond to a fire alarm. While duly certified as a firefighter and paramedic, he would understand his limitations because of a lack of equipment.
"My understanding is if we would arrive at a closed building, we would not enter the facility," he said. "We would stay on the outside ... do a 360-degree (tour of the exterior). There are certain things you look for, like flames or smoked windows."
He said the EMS workers are not comfortable "messing with fire alarm panels, nor do we feel we should be messing with the fire alarm panels."
"But you go to that panel, and you relay that information," McDaniel explained.
He added that he would provide information, then let the fire personnel decide on what next should be done.
Assistant Emergency Management Agency Director Tony Campbell, also a former Wheeling firefighter, said if called to do a 360-degree view, he would not enter the building.
Tennant suggested if the commissioners wish to allow the EMTs to serve as first eyes when there is a fire alarm, the policy restricts them to only responding to buildings at The Highlands.
Commissioners are next scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling.