Southwest Fire and Rescue Department responded to a vehicle roll over with Hickman and Lincoln Fire and Rescue at South 20 and Saltillo Rd. Upon arrival located one pt in her vehicle on its roof. The pt was removed from the vehicle and transported to the local truama hospital.  All units returned to service.

Please come out and help, Southwest Fire Department, support Skyler Brandt and family. On Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 7:00am until 1:00pm at the Sprague/ Martell Community Center, SW 14th and Martell Rd. Skyler is currently at Madonna recovering from a broken neck resulting from a vehicle accident. Skyler continues to make improvements every day. Please join us as we raise money to assist with his medical expenses. If you are unable to make it to the pancake feed but would still like to make a donation to Skyler and his family, there is an Account set up at all Security First Banks under the Skyler Brandt Benefit account.

Southwest Fire and Rescue will host their annual Open House event on Sunday, October 9th 2011 from 12:00 - 4:00pm.  It will be located at the Martell Community Center (17490 SW 14th St) in Martell, NE.  This is located on the East Side of SW 14th St. and West Martell Rd. 

Bring the whole family and enjoy free food and drinks, Apparatus Displays, Starcare Helicopter, LSO Exhibitions, Kids Activities and Bounce  House, Gift Bags and Prize Drawings for All, Live Fire Suppression and Vehicle Extrication demonstrations, and much more!

Contact swfire271@gmail.com for any questions.

Southwest Fire and Rescue members practiced in the 'wire coffin' box with full gear, breathing air, and a blacked out facemask.  This teaches you to control your breathing, and how to identify and fix problem areas that like to get hung up.  The wall breach teaches how to partially-remove or fully remove your scba pack so that you can fit through the small opening and get to the other side, all while remaining in contact and never coming off-air.  This task was also performed with a blacked out mask.

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SW Fire and Rescue members sharpened their driving skills for this week's training event.  Members drove various size apparatus through the obstacle course that had cones laid out going forward then reversing back out of it while attempting not to hit any of the cones.  There were 4 different stations set up, each providing their own level of difficulty and making the driver rely soley on the mirrors for reversing techniques.

Southwest Rescue was dispatched to a single vehicle rollover accident. SW61 cleared with 2 members, SW11 cleared with 3 members, SW24 cleared with 1. Upon arrival a single truck was found in the ditch on its side. The driver of the vehicle had already self-extricated. SW11 crew members had patient care responsibilities. The driver was thoroughly checked over and released. All SW Members returned to service.

Southwest Fire and Rescue members practiced 2 emergency survival skills:  Ladder Bailout and SCBA drill.
During the ladder bailout, 2 techniques were practiced.  A head-first controlled descent to ground level, and a hook-and-go technique, which rotates the body from a head-first to feet-first descent and slide to ground level.
The SCBA drill included de-tangling of SCBA equipment and fixing any issues, donning all SCBA gear properly, and breathing air.  This skill was practiced in complete darkness, with full turnout gear and gloves on.  Then members practiced giving a MAYDAY report.

This week's Tuesday night fire training was combined with new recruit training.  Southwest members met at Bluestem Lake and practiced setting up and performing rural water supply.  SW32 set up at the dry hydrant.  Hydrant flushing, drafting of lake water, and fill procedures were performed.  SW33 set up on the north side of the lake with 3 drop tanks.  Drop tank setup and drafting operations were performed. SW41, SW42, and SW43 shuttled water from the fill site to the drop site.  SW33 continously flowed water from the drop tanks.  Estimated over 36,000 gallons of water was shuttled.

Southwest Fire was dispatched to 5401 W A St. on a grass fire that spread from a burn barrel.  Upon arrival found the fire had spread from a grass fire and had started to ignite a large wood pile.  The fire was quickly brought under control to prevent further spread.  Members control-burned an area of grass to prevent possible further spread from the wood pile due to wind speed.  A skidsteer loader was used to put dirt on the wood pile to further prevent possible spread or rekindle.  Members remained on location until all fire was extinguished.

Several members from Southwest Rural Fire Dept. attended a training house burn with Crete.  Other members from Hallam, Dorchester, Dewitt, and Wilber departments also participated in the training event.  Firefighters were given the opportunity to enter the structure while a single room was on fire and get hands on experience in interior operations before letting the whole house go up in flames.