Fla. Agency Celebrates 30 Years of Service
Oct. 26--From the tiny oxygen masks for small animals to the giant yellow $1 million Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting vehicle known as the "Dragon," Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue gave thousands of people a closer look at its operation Saturday.
Created in 1984 to provide fire and emergency medical services to portions of the unincorporated areas and some municipalities, the agency celebrated its 30th anniversary on the grounds of its 42-acre regional training facility in suburban West Palm Beach.
Today, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue serves 1,822 square miles, which includes unincorporated areas and 18 municipalities, said Chief Jeff Collins. Last year, it responded to 104,342 emergency medical services calls, 1,282 structure fire calls and 14,656 other calls.
"During the day, we get a call a minute," Collins said. "The most common call we receive is for slip and falls."
In fact, fire-rescue is the midst of a major effort to educate the public about how to prevent slipping and falling. The cause can be related to the shoes someone is wearing, throw rugs, poor balance, difficulty walking, eyesight or even medications, Collins said.
Whether it was due to children's natural fascination with fire trucks and equipment, or the free hot dogs, popcorn and other goodies such as candy, stickers, pencils and Teddy bears, the event drew hundreds of families.
Firefighter Jason Price, his wife Kelly and children Luke, 10 and Lorelai, 2, of Palm Springs, came out to enjoy the festivities that featured a bounce house, face painting, a rescue demonstration using the six-story tower training building and a scavenger hunt.
"It's long hours, but it's rewarding. It's something different every day," Price said of his job. "Everyone is a firefighter and a paramedic. Some people get confused when they have chest pains and a fire truck shows up. People pretty much call us when they don't know what to do."
Fire-Rescue's pet emergency treatment and services is a new initiative launched Saturday, said Aaron Turner, pets coordinator. The pet oxygen masks are designed to keep animals from dying of smoke inhalation or exposure to toxic fumes. About half the department's trucks are outfitted with the $90 kits, purchased solely with donations, and about 40 more kits are needed.
"Most of the victims we pull out of house fires are pets," Turner said. While people usually escape, pets tend to hide.
Matt and Niquelle Averkamp of Wellington brought their daughter Zoe, 4, who wore her pink fairy wings, to the anniversary celebration.
"It's educational. They get to see how the fire trucks work," Niquelle Averkamp said.
Copyright 2014 - The Palm Beach Post, Fla.
