Milton Fire Chief Dave Pratt recalls the fire at First line Training Centre in Milton, ON , Dec 21. The call came in the middle of the night, around 1:30 am.
Silhouetted watchers as a barn burns
When a call about a barn fire came in the middle of the night, rescue firefighters worked quickly to get 35 of the 37 horses out.
© 2017 by Rob Swystun
The scene upon arrival was that of a front-end loader tractor beside a barn engulfed in flames. The tractor block heater plugged into the barn appeared to be the cause of the fire and the side of barn next to the tractor was fully involved.
Crews of firefighters from both Milton and Halton responded. Milton put hot spots out, Halton worked on suppression (knocking down the fire with water) and then all hands were on deck evacuating horses from barn.
Rescue firefighters were on air (SCBA Self-contained breathing apparatus equipment) to rescue horses in the barn. They worked quickly to get 35 of the 37 horses out.
Horse owners and staff had halters and lead ropes at the ready as horses were handed off to be put in secure areas. “We were really lucky to have so many horse handlers at the scene,” said Chief Pratt “It was a team effort not only from fire department staff, but from everyone who led horses away from danger and into safe containment areas.”
Horse owners and first responders on site worked quickly to arrange transport. Many horses were received by Woodbine Mohawk Park, who supplied temporary stabling, after initial assessments and first aid was delivered by the team of vets and vet techs who came together including - Drs. Liz Shiland, Abigail Stovman and Marisa Markey. EMS and police on the scene all worked diligently with community effort. Huge acknowledgments must be given to all who sprung from their beds in the dead of the night to support the rescue.
In a very well attended presentation to horse owners at System Equine Mar 19, Riley McGilloway from Halton Hills Fire Department outlined some of the reasons they were able to save the majority of horses at the First Line fire. He also gave a clear rundown of what a barn owner can do in emergencies, starting with that first deep breath to give clear information to the dispatcher.
Calmly relaying the problem and location of an incident at the first sign of a problem is key and always remembering to give your name and phone number. McGilloway explains that information from dispatch reaches the team already in transit. Important details help them prepare a plan, such as how many are involved?
If a human becomes a casualty by rushing into a burning barn, they know their priority has shifted from saving livestock to saving human life.
McGilloway elaborated, educated/experienced horse people including Joe Stutzman, on the scene at the first line fire, did not pull open the doors until fire and rescue arrived so the fire did not receive additional oxygen further fueling it.
A brilliant diagram aided review of the owner’s role after the call to dispatch:
- Send someone to the road to meet the firetruck and give directions on exactly where to go.
- Help with the scene survey giving first responders the layout of the barn and letting them know what is connected that could be further ignition sources.
- Move anything that may be in the way so the fire trucks can get to where they need to be.
A rescue team effort becomes faster and more effective when those arriving on the scene are informed what they can and cannot do to help. The many owners who arrived at the First Line fire quickly became an asset to the rescue, helping with containment of the horses pulled from the burning barn and then holding and assisting as the veterinary team sprang into action.
The System Equine Barn Fire Prevention and action plan evening was also broadcast via webinar and the recording of all four presenters (Sarah Scott, TJ Snow of Milton Fire Department, Dr. Liz Shiland, DVM and Riley McGilloway of Halton Hills Fire Department) is available at: https://www.facebook.com/systemequine/videos/1665571347083745/
Wendy McIsaac-Swackhamer, recently appointed, manager of Emergency Preparedness and Fire Prevention at Woodbine Entertainment, was also on the scene on the night of Dec 21. Amazed from the moment she arrived by the sight of firefighters and police officers with horses in their hands, she quickly became part of the massive team phoning and arranging relocation of horses.
“Everyone came together, knew they had a job to do and got it done,” said Swackhamer of the well-coordinated effort.
Swackhamer, has been involved with the fire service, horses and technical large animal rescue for a number of years now. She was quick to join in organizing a hands-on Barn Fire Safety Seminar at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, ON, Wednesday April 10 from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
“We were tremendously proud of everyone involved in the rescue and the quick decisions that were made,” says Jessica Buckley, President, Woodbine Mohawk Park. “The importance of barn fire knowledge cannot be underestimated and we are pleased to help facilitate barn safety training for horse people.”
Milton fire department will attend on April 10th and play a role in the mock set up of hazards in the barn to help participants identify them. Participants will also practice using fire extinguishers and come away with a greater understanding of barn fire prevention, evacuation procedures and animal safety. Register by April 5 for the Barn Fire Safety Seminar at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Equine Guelph will also be launching a Fire & Emergency Preparedness online short course on TheHorsePortal.ca– Apr 8 – Apr 15
Equine Guelph is the horse owners' and care givers' Centre at the University of Guelph in Canada. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government - for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further information, visit www.equineguelph.ca
Story by: Jackie Bellamy-Zions - Communications & Administration
Equine Guelph