The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Most people don’t run towards a burning building. Not only do Clint Walker, Todd Soomre, Jon Holmes, Al Peck, John Priebe, Kyle Simms and Al Miller respond to such occurrences in their professional capacity as firefighters for the Township of Scugog, but they’ve made it personal too. This group of seven has sacrificed two evenings a week since February to train as Scugog’s 2006 Fire Extrication Team for Cen- tral Ontario’s Extrication competition in Huntsville. Clint Walker is the only member to have competed before (1994-2003) under the mentorship of Retired Deputy Chief Dave Ballingall. The Team credits the former Chief for his support and insight because it was under his tutelage that they ranked highest ever — a third place finish in Burlington in 2001. For Clint, competitions are more challenging now because he has taken on the role of I.C. (incident command) ofa group of fire- fighters whose experience ranges from novices to veterans of 15 years on the job. Even though the Caesarea hall has run 100 calls to-date (in 2006) and the Port Perry hall, 300 calls, it takes what Clint calls a “huge commitment” to train for the T-E.R.C.-run (Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee) Regional competitions. These oc- cur North America-wide in preparation for International or World competitions. 6 FOCUS - OCTOBER 2006 —_— The regionals, such as those held i in Huntsville in July, or the 'y mate’ two-day events starting on Fridays. Teams race against the clock a are evaluated by a panel of three judges (one for medical issues, one evaluating the IC. and one observing the use of tools). All teams are run through two scenarios of 20 minutes each. From a sequestered area, fire truck with lights blazing, sirens and crew approach an incident in, first a “limited” scenario (with use of any hand tool) and then, an “unlimited” scenario (with use of any tool including the jaws of life). “Our time starts when the wheels stop turning,” explains team member Todd Soomre. LC. Clint Walker would then appraise all hazards present, such as electrical wires or propane tanks, and locate hydrants. He is judged on his vocal projection, control of the scene and safety while instructing the team to stabilize vehicles and focus on patient care. Three years ago competitions exchanged their “crash dum- mies” for “live patients” (personnel with a medical background, miked and participating in the evaluation). This increased the chal- lenge. There is only one patient involved (with two entrapped limbs), but a myriad of props such as downed trees, campers, bikes, heli- copters or snowmobiles. “The better the teams,” says Todd, “the more props involved.” Vehicles are often manipulated by smashing off door handles and removing locks. Time may only be called when the patient is freed from the vehicle, secured on a back board and has undergone a final check. See next page... focus@observerpub.ca