Icy conditions, heavy snowfall create challenges for Md. fire crews
MARYLAND – The wintry mess that pummeled Delmarva didn’t just put a dent in weekend plans for some. It also made work a little more difficult for local firefighters. “The ice and snow always proposes a challenge for us,” said Ryan Whittington with the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD). “For our medical calls, it presents a significant challenge because of the slip, trip, and fall hazard that we face as firefighters. We’re prone to black ice, just like everyone else is.”
Ocean City
In Ocean City, firefighters had to get creative in order to work around the conditions. “When the snow and ice get on the traffic lights because of the heavy winds, it causes a significant challenge for drivers to be able to see what color the traffic light is,” said Whittington. “We went out, and we actually had firefighters use the fire hoses to spray the traffic lights and clear the colors.”
Whittington says OCFD assisted in knocking down a structure fire, and a crash on Ocean Gateway Monday morning. “We’re starting to see more people come out. It’s the start of the work week, and we’ve seen quite a few more falls that we’ve responded to. Some of those required transport to TidalHealth,” said Whittington.
Now that the storm has stopped, OCFD is still taking extra precautions. “We have to take our time, move slower, make sure that we’re using caution when we’re responding to folks’ homes,” said Whittington. “We actually have a fire truck go with us with our medic units. That way, when they get there, they can throw some more salt down and provide a resistance for us. As we’re carrying the patient out on a stretcher or a stair chase, we don’t want to drop them. So, we add the extra protection by having more people respond with us on medical calls.”
Salisbury
Meanwhile in Salisbury, left over snow and ice also posed a challenge for firefighters. “We were alerted for a house fire this morning in the 600 block of Church Street, where we arrived and found heavy fire to the rear of the structure,” said Salisbury Fire Department Deputy Chief Darrin Scott. “We did have problems with three hydrants. On one, the caps were frozen. So, one of the firefighters took a flare and was able to loosen the cap so that he could access the hydrant.”
And as the cleanup continues in Salisbury, Deputy Chief Scott says drivers should still play it safe. “We encourage people to try to clear the fire hydrants in and around their home, at least three feet on each side,” he said. “Please stay off the roads and give the plows a chance to clear the roads off.”
Continued Caution
Fire officials are also asking people not to get out on iced-over waterways for ice skating or other activities. As temperatures are expected to change this week, the potential of that ice melting could lead to deadly situations. “It’s very tempting. It’s beautiful,” said Whittington. “If someone does fall into ice, immediately dial 911. The saying always goes, reach for the person or throw something to them before we go in.”
