Firefighters have to be ready to respond to emergency calls, even in chaotic weather conditions

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

The call comes into the station.

Injuries are reported. There has been another car crash. It has been snowing for hours. The roads are slick.

Those injured? The stress is building in their minds. They are starting to panic. They know how bad the conditions are, so just how is somebody going to be able to reach them, to give them aid?

Firefighters, like the rest of us, keep tabs on weather forecasts. 

And in the days before a winter storm hits our region, they are preparing. 

It will often take them longer to respond — especially if their tires have chains on them — but they will get to the incident.

They’re ready.

“We’ve got to get there,” said Scott Sorenson, Chief of Clark County Fire District 3, which serves 45,000 people in east Clark County, including the city of Battle Ground, as well as Hockinson and other outlying areas. “The No.1 thing is getting around, getting to where we need to go,” Sorenson said. 

Each station goes on scouting missions during the winter months. The roads might be wet in lower elevation Battle Ground or Hockinson on Thursday and there is no need for traction devices on the fire vehicles. However, go up in elevation, up Larch Mountain, and a call for help might mean bringing out a truck with chains on the tires.

“We’re always putting on and taking off chains,” Sorenson said of the winter months.

For residents in Vancouver, a snow storm might be in the forecast just a couple of times a year. But those in upper elevations deal with snow and slick roads more frequently.

“For us, when it gets into this kind of weather, we’re doing it for weeks,” Sorenson said. “When there is snow at 1,000 feet, most of the population doesn’t have to worry about that. But if you work or live in that zone, then it’s a thing.”

Thursday, the Hockinson station had its primary engine ready to go at a moment’s notice with no traction devices, and another engine with chains on its tires, just in case of an emergency at a higher elevation. The station also has a tender — a water truck — ready with chains, but can take those chains off in seconds when chains are not needed.

Come Friday night and into Saturday, with the forecast calling for 2 to 6 inches or more of snow at all elevation, all vehicles in District 3, as well as other fire units throughout Clark County, could be using chains.

The firefighters themselves will also be prepared for the weather, Sorenson said. It is difficult to train for extreme cold or major snowstorms, but local firefighters are equipped with the proper clothing and equipment. Sorenson said he also asks for feedback from the firefighters, asking what more they need to be ready in an emergency.

Administrators also have to be prepared to call in more firefighters, to spell those who work non stop during these weather events. Sorenson said emergency calls skyrocket during snowstorms, whether they come from car crashes, medical emergencies, or even structure fires. Wind is also in the forecast for this week’s storm, and that can cause trees to fall on houses and/or cars, or spark a fire when the trees take down power lines.

It can make for a grueling shift for the firefighters.

“They’re conditioned to work this stuff but they have to have their rehab time, too,” the chief said. “If it gets really stormy, you’re continually running. It’s not uncommon to go on back-to-back-to-back (calls). We’ll run out for hours, one thing and on to the next.”

Throughout the region, city and county vehicles, as well as Clark Public Utilities and C-TRAN vehicles, are getting prepared for what is expected this weekend.

The FOX-12 Weather Blog posted at 5 a.m. Friday its latest forecast. Temperatures will drop throughout the day, and will be below freezing by late afternoon or evening. There is a possibility of some snow in the region Friday evening into the night. Saturday looks to be the snow event, with 2 to 6 inches in the forecast and possible freezing rain. 

The best advice from experts is to stay off the roads.

However, for those on the roads, if you are in a crash and need emergency services, local firefighters will be prepared and they will be on their way.