RYE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
A year ago, one of Rye Fire Protection District (RFPD) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers suffered a back injury on the job while dealing with transporting a patient on a manual cot into the ambulance.
The injury was so severe that, despite time off, therapy, and treatment, the worker has not been able to return to work. Fire Chief Bennett reported at the Monday, April 17, meeting that the worker had recently undergone surgery for the injury.
Following this injury, Chief Bennet requested and the board approved the purchase of a power cot that has a motor to raise and lower it.
One power cot was purchased and assigned to the main ambulance.
Considering the severity of the worker's back injury, the board asked Bennett for information about adding a power cot to the secondary ambulance. Bennett stating that in a lot of places, and in rough terrain such as the San Isabel area, the power cots are hard to use. He explained that they are not able to use them in some homes; estimating that they would be able to use the power cots on about ¾ of their calls.
Bennet estimates a cost of about $15,000 for the item and will do more current research and bring the figures to the board.
Fire Chief Bennett reported that with the submission of last year’s audit to the state all counties have released the frozen funds. Funds from Huerfano and Custer Counties have been received but not yet deposited. Funds from Pueblo County have been deposited.
The ambulance that suffered body damage is repaired and back into service. Chief Bennett reported another ambulance is scheduled to go into the shop for repair.
RFPD responded to 70 calls in March, 43 of which were EMS-related and 27 of which were fire related. This is an increase of 4% from the previous year.
Chief Bennett reported that RFPD assisted with the North Creek fire at Beulah one day but that the National Forrest Service took over the fire and further assistance was not needed.
Corsentino Construction has been contacted about enlarging the truck door at Station #1 in Rye and is working to get the job scheduled.