Fire departments train with AirEvac

— Firefighters from the Decatur, Gravette and Maysville Fire Departments learned to be ready for anything while training with AirEvac paramedics at the Decatur Fire Department on Sept. 29.

Paramedic Earl Blake lectured firefighters about patient assessment and keeping airways open in the classroom before heading outside for more hands-on training.

Blake set up a lifelike training scenario complete with fake blood, smoke bombs and volunteer victims that acted the part - whether it was unconscious or near hysterical.

In the scenario, three victims had fallen from a utility pole. One was laying unconscious with a live power line across his body. Another was conscious but had fallen onto a bag of hazardous chemicals and was suffering from chemical burns in addition to her fall injuries.

Firefighters responded with their trucksand equipment just like the call was real and administered first aid and CPR to the victims. Fire chief David Flynt said the training provides a place where firefighters can learn, and if they mess up, it’s OK.

He said it also helps to train with the Maysville and Gravette Fire Departments because they work side-by-side with Decatur on a daily basis.

This is the fourth time AirEvac has held training sessions with local fire departments in Decatur, and they plan continue holding regular training sessions.

News, Pages 1 on 10/07/2009