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Drill of the Week: Cold Weather Emergencies
Cold weather emergencies don't necessarily have to involve civilians. In the dead of winter, one of our own could suffer from cold-related injuries on the fireground. This drill reviews the protocols and procedures for treating injuries and illnesses associated with cold weather.
Review your local protocols before conducting this drill. Create a pretest based on the following:
- Signs and symptoms of mild hypothermia;
- Treatment protocols for mild hypothermia;
- Signs and symptoms for severe hypothermia;
- Treatment protocols for severe hypothermia;
- Signs and symptoms of frostbite; and
- Treatment protocols for frostbite.
You can also add other points based on your local protocols. Distribute the pretest at the beginning of the drill. Make sure you know the answers yourself before distributing the pretest. Afterward, review all the points of the pretest. Howard A. Chatterton includes a sample cold weather emergencies pretest in his Volunteer Training Drills - A Year of Weekly Drills.
If time permits, cover the material addressed in next week's drill: Drowning Response, Ice Rescue, or wait for another drill night to cover this information.
At the drill's conclusion, discuss what went right, what went wrong, and what should be done differently next time.
If you have a similar drill idea and wish to share it, please e-mail: chrism@pennwell.com.
To review training officer and safety officer considerations, visit http://fe.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=OnlineArticles&SubSection=HOME&PUBLICATION_ID=25&ARTICLE_ID=202453 to review training officer and safety officer considerations.
For more information on this drill, including a list of references and sample pretest, visit http://store.yahoo.com/pennwell/voltraindril.html to purchase Volunteer Training Drills--A Year of Weekly Drills.
