Fireworks tips and riding along with the I.F. Fire Dept

Dry grass, hot weather, and the Fourth of July all add up to an increase in fire dangers. That’s why fire departments are gearing up for the weekend.

Today, I got to ride along with the Idaho Falls Fire Department and was assigned to Ambulance No. 4– the busiest ambulance in Idaho Falls.

While I was riding with paramedics Connor Cook and Ryan Miles, we got two calls: a structure fire in Idaho Falls and a reported assault in Shelley.

After making our rounds, we stopped at Pacific Recycling for Cook and Miles to train new recruits on extrication.

“Our assistance, whether it be through the Jaws of Life, spreaders, cutters, getting them out of the vehicle into the ambulance and into the hospital. So we come here to work on stabilizing vehicles. See right there, they’re making that vehicle unstable over there. So we’re going to come through and we’re going to drill on how to make the vehicle safe and stable and how to extricate patients out of that vehicle,” said Cook.

Training crews on extrication is very difficult, so the Idaho Falls Fire Department is grateful for the relationship they have with Pacific Recycling.

The daily activities of crew members vary depending on how often they are dispatched.

In addition, while I was there I got some good tips on fireworks safety:
-Have adults present
-Purchase the “Safe and Sane” fireworks
-Keep about 25 feet away from grass, bushes, and buildings
-Use fireworks on a hard surface
-Have a bucket a water present

“You know one of the biggest hazards are people getting burned. Just try to have a really good time and keep in mind that what you’re doing could affect your neighbor, or your neighbor’s property, and you’re responsible for that,” said Fire Marshall Scoot Grimmett.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department has a very dynamic system: they cover all of Bonneville County, Jefferson County, and half of Bingham County.

They will be on high-alert during the Fourth of July.