PRESS RELEASE
ROLLNRACK Power Roller: $5,000 Grant
This project aims to purchase a ROLLNRACK® Power Roller with a five-inch Storz coupling jaw set to be utilized at fire scenes. The Power Roller system is designed to drain, roll, transport and load the fire hose onto the apparatus. After extinguishing a fire, three or four firefighters may remain on the scene to pick up the hose and be prepared for the next emergency. The automatic hose roller is not a luxury, but rather a need to increase firefighters’ workflow efficiency.
The hose roller will help crews conserve energy, keep carcinogens off personal protective equipment and skin and help prevent unnecessary injuries. Data indicates that firefighters often strain their backs, shoulders and knees due to crawling in fires, lifting people or handling fire hoses. It is an accepted fire service understanding that a five-inch LDH will hold one gallon of water per foot of hose. On average, a 100-foot section of five-inch hose empty weighs 110 pounds. With water weighing 8.33 pounds per gallon, a 100-foot section of LDH filled with water will weigh approximately 944 pounds.
The firefighter must lift the hose over their shoulder to drain the water before rolling the hose. The system can drain and roll over 5,000 feet of hose on a full battery charge. Employing this device assists in the proper body mechanics, allowing the loading of the hose back onto the rig safely with just two firefighters. This grant will help eliminate a significant strain and injury risk with the hose rollers that safely and efficiently drain the water, transport and load the hose back onto the apparatus.
Rapid Extrication Drag Device Sleds: $3,000 Grant
This project aims to acquire four REDD (Rapid Extrication Drag Device) sleds that will be placed on the remaining Indianola Fire Department ambulances and first-due fire apparatus. The REDD sled is an innovative, rapid extrication drag device that firefighters and EMS specifically created for their use, allowing for easy victim dragging while minimizing any risk of injury to the rescuer.
Previously, rescuers had to carry injured or sick patients on a long backboard, which could cause the rescuers to suffer from strains and sprains and potentially drop the patient. The REDD sled is a versatile tool that can be used to transport an unconscious patient or someone receiving CPR while strapped to a long backboard equipped with a device that provides mechanical chest compressions. The sled’s weight is evenly distributed between the handles, making it more comfortable to handle. It’s compact, portable and can be easily placed in compartments for quick access. It can also be carried to inaccessible ditches, fields and wooded areas.
The Indianola Fire Department has a mission to enhance the community’s lifestyle and contribute significantly to the safety of Indianola residents and visitors. The department has allocated $400 towards the project to achieve this goal. The Warren County Philanthropic Partnership grant, which the Indianola Firefighters Association helped play a pivotal role to secure, will provide the remaining $3,000 needed.
