Yuma News Now

Yuma Arizona - Fire House Facts  for the period of Sunday July 20, 2008 through Saturday July 26, 2008 - The Yuma Fire Department responded to 211 emergency calls for services which included:

11 - Commercial Assignments - Including: smoke visible inside a building, flooding from rain at the Southgate Mall, as well as various alarm responses.

2 - Hazardous Materials Assignments - Including: Spilled gasoline at an intersection.

2 - Mutual Aid Requests - Including: An engine and 4 firefighters sent with an Imperial Valley Strike Team to work on the “Telegraph Fire” near Mariposa, CA.

18 - Motor Vehicle Accidents - Including: 2 involving vehicles vs. pedestrians, and 2 involving vehicles vs. poles.

159 - Other Medical Emergencies (serious to minor) Including:   32 for difficulty breathing, 16 for chest pain, 16 fall victims, 9 unconscious people, 5 seizure cases, 7 diabetic emergencies, 1 baby locked in a vehicle, 1 allergic reaction, 9 possible stroke cases, 3 water rescue/recovery responses, 1 coin lodged in a child’s trachea, and misc. other illnesses and injuries.

19 - Special Duty, Public Assistance, and Residential Assignments - Including: 1 fire in a field, 1 gas leak in a back yard, 1 snake removal, power lines down, and various alarms.

Last week the Yuma Fire Department responded to three different cases of water emergencies. Although the river park areas offer great recreational opportunities for Yuma’s citizens, the river can not be taken for granted and especially not where children are concerned. The Colorado is a live river, sand bars change and what may have been shallow the last time you were there, could be a deep hole now.

Children should have constant adult supervision, and adults supervising children should be capable swimmers. The river is not a babysitter, and should never be used as one. Enjoy the great recreational opportunities that have been created for us along the Colorado, but use them wisely. As we continue into the water recreation season, let’s make this a season of safety.

The following are general water safety suggestions provided by the American Red Cross: Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone. Read and obey all rules and posted signs. Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water. Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep). Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth changes, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices. Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather. Use a feet-first entry when entering the water. Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions. Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm. Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.