ESTEVAN - Members of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service showed their dedication to the region during the blizzard that hit the Estevan area Monday night and into early Tuesday.
Firefighters were called to three separate accidents after the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure had closed highways in areas surrounding Estevan.
The first call for assistance came in at just after 10 p.m. Monday. A truck rear-ended a stationary semi-trailer unit that was pulled over on the side of the road one kilometre east of Bienfait.
The road conditions slowed the firefighters’ response time, as it took approximately one hour and 20 minutes to reach the location.
“It was confirmed that … one of the individuals involved had a head injury,” said Fire Chief Dale Feser. “We were able to get there and mitigate the scene and transport the individual back to the hospital and drop him off there for further assessment and treatment of his injuries.”
Before clearing the scene, firefighters received a call at approximately 11:30 p.m. for semi-trailer unit that rolled over in the Roche Percee valley. There was confirmed entrapment and unknown injuries.
The truck was eventually located and the driver was freed. He had minor injuries, but was transported to hospital for treatment.
Fire crews didn’t make it back to the station until approximately 1:45 a.m. Tuesday.
There is no update on the injuries to the individuals, but Feser said they weren’t believed to be life-threatening.
The next call came in at 7 a.m. Tuesday – a two-vehicle collision on Highway 39 west of Estevan involving two cars. A vehicle struck a stationary car that was stranded.
Crews were headed to the location when dispatch was advised there weren’t any injuries. A local farmer was able to assist and clear the vehicles from the road surface. Firefighters returned to the fire station.
Feser praised firefighters for being out in such conditions, calling it a calculated risk when they make a response in a blizzard.
“The fire department always uses the motto ‘risk a lot to save a lot and risk a little to save a little.’ At that time, that’s when we make those decisions. However, when there are confirmed injuries, we will continue to mount a response, as long as it’s not jeopardizing our firefighters.”
The firefighters showed nerves of steel and great teamwork and co-operation. At times, the fire truck driver and an officer had their heads outside the window to see, and a third individual looked straight ahead to ensure they were still on the highway.
Top speed was often 10-15 kilometres per hour.
Crews also checked on other stranded individuals while returning to the fire station to ensure everyone was safe. All vehicles checked had enough fuel and provisions to last through the night.
Feser reminded the public to stay home when roads are closed, unless it’s a medical or family emergency, because emergency crews are exposed to the same driving conditions as everyone else.
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Firefighters received a call for service on Sunday at about 8:30 p.m.
A call for an elevator rescue came from a hotel in northeast Estevan. The elevator was trapped on the second level, and it was originally unknown if there was anyone inside.
Crews arrived at the scene to find that the elevator was still inactive. They successfully provided an elevator rescue to the main floor and opened up the doors. Fortunately, there was nobody trapped inside the elevator. The elevator was then returned to normal service and the scene was turned back over to the hotel staff.
"Just a gentle reminder, now as it often happens on the weekends, there's lots of hockey teams or whatnot (staying in hotels). Just talk to the children there to make sure that they're not playing with the elevator buttons when you're staying at hotel occupancies," said Feser.
"If you find yourself trapped in an elevator, you need to use the onboard system in the elevator cart itself or use your cell phone if you do have it with you. Immediately call 911 and the fire department will be dispatched to your aid."
