Page 41 - MyCottleville Magazine Jan/Feb 2017

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
This time of year bodies of water become frozen, but not completely, which is why Cottleville Fire District is issuing a reminder to “Stay Off the Ice”!
If you fall through thin ice, cold water carries heat away from the body 25 times faster than air of the same tem- perature and, as a result, your body core immediately begins to lose heat to the outside environment. Your clothes because water-logged and heavy. Within 10 minutes, you will lose dexterity and motor function in your extremities and will be at severe risk of drowning.
Why ice is so dangerous:
• Thickness can be deceiving because it will vary throughout a body of water
• Even think ice often contains unseen weaknesses
• Once you fall through, self-rescue is nearly impossible, even for good swimmers • Many people sustain head injuries from slipping on ice
What to do if you witness an ice emergency: • Call 911 immediately
• DO NOT go out on the ice
• If you choose to attempt to help someone, try to nd something to reach the victim from the
shore, such as a rope, pole or tree branch. With such an item you can attempt to tow them in but be sure that you do so on stable ground and that you are not pulled in yourself.
Unfortunately, there is a notable increase in these type incidents during the winter months that involve children and young adults during outside activities. Most recently, in January of 2015, a suburban St. Louis teenager who slipped through an icy lake located in Lake Saint Louis had no pulse for nearly 45 minutes after he was rescued. He has since made a “miraculous” recovery. Every Cottleville Fire District apparatus carries ice rescue suits and every re- ghter receives training each year which includes going into icy water and simulating ice rescues on area ponds.
Cottleville Fire ghters Outreach
Since its inception in 2008, Cottleville Fire ghters Outreach (CFO) set out to make our community a safer, healthier and happier place to live and work. CFO provides crisis assistance to victims of tragedy including, re, natural disaster, illness and other un- foreseen circumstances. In the past year alone, CFO has quietly provided crisis assistance funding and in-kind donations valuing over $7,000 for 19 local families.
In addition to crisis assistance, CFO holds family friendly events with 100% volunteer labor to support all CFO programs and partnerships. CFO events include: CFO Kids Fun Fest, CFO Haunt- ed Trail and Bon re Party and Bi-Annual Trivia Night. CFO partners with CFPD and other local agencies on events throughout the year as well.
CFO Programs include: CFO Scholarship Program, Fire ghter for a Day, Fishing with Fire ghters and more. CFO partners with CFPD and other local agencies on additional programs that bene t the community including: MDA, Adopt-a Family, Saturday Jubilee, Toys for Tots and more!
For more information about CFO or to inquire about possible crisis assistance visit www. re- outreach.com or email cfco87@gmail.com.
MyCottleville Magazine | 41