Needle & Condom Retrieval

[firecadet911]

Hey gang,

Had an interesting situation unfold tonight. I was going for a walk with my brother when I came across a couple condoms on the side-walk in a residential neighbourhood. I called the fire dispatch office and they sent over a crew who took care of business pretty quickly and even cracked a couple jokes about the situation. My question to you is: does it bother you that you are called to these kinds of situations? The crew that came out tonight was pretty light-hearted about the situation and it didn't seem to bother them very much (despite the fact I called in at 18:03 - Dinner time :s ) In your opinion, should a seperate agency be responsible for cleaning up needles and condoms such as EMS or Waste & Recycling Services? Does anybody here work for a department that does not do this kind of work? If so, who does?? Thanks for the input gang!

[Brando]

Ive never heard of the fire dept getting called for that kinda thing, and I dont think any of the depts around here do that. Maybe its just the full-time guys that get called. Can't see anyone leaving secular work to pick up a condom.

[bestcoast]

Originally posted by Brando
Ive never heard of the fire dept getting called for that kinda thing, and I dont think any of the depts around here do that. Maybe its just the full-time guys that get called. Can't see anyone leaving secular work to pick up a condom.

Not this Full Time Guy!!!

[Scuba]

That's just about in the realm of paging out a volunteer department to go and 'guard' the downed hydro lines while the hydro employees take their sweet ass time to get there.......

[firemedik911]

There is a few calls (bad tax managment) I've been called for pluged toilet, because that was an emergency for her...

If you don't mind 5 guys 60K$(Avrerage) each to pick up needles and dog shit...

Stephan

[five_alarm]

POWELL RIVER, BC - The Fire chief wants people to know that discarded needles are considered an emergency fire departments are trained to handle. Since January, Powell River Fire Rescue has retrieved close to 350 used needles discarded all over Powell River.

Assistant fire chief Tom Ellis, who is Powell River Fire Rescue's representative on Vancouver Coastal Health's (VCH) needle exchange committee, urges people not to handle used needles, but to call 911 and ask for the fire department.

Some people hesitate to call 911 when they come across a needle because they don't think it is an emergency, but Ellis says they shouldn't. "When it comes to public safety, don't hesitate."

Source: zwire.com
(http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14387074&BRD=1998&PAG=461&dept_id=221589&rfi=6)

[FireEMTGuy]

I don't see a problem with this. It is good PR and if it's on a slow day then it may be nice to get out of the hall. It doesn't tie up resources either. I sure as heck wouldn't want to have a kid decide to play with it....

[bestcoast]

POWELL RIVER, BC - The Fire chief wants people to know that discarded needles are considered an emergency fire departments are trained to handle. Since January, Powell River Fire Rescue has retrieved close to 350 used needles discarded all over Powell River.

Assistant fire chief Tom Ellis, who is Powell River Fire Rescue's representative on Vancouver Coastal Health's (VCH) needle exchange committee, urges people not to handle used needles, but to call 911 and ask for the fire department.

Some people hesitate to call 911 when they come across a needle because they don't think it is an emergency, but Ellis says they shouldn't. "When it comes to public safety, don't hesitate."

Source: zwire.com
(http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14387074&BRD=1998&PAG=461&dept_id=221589&rfi=6)
You gotta be kidding me....If 911 was called everytime a needle was found in Vancouver we would never see the hall!!....BC.....

[five_alarm]

SASKATOON, SK - As the snow begins to melt, Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services (SFPS) is warning residents to watch for discarded hypodermic needles that have become exposed and could contain traces of hepatitis or HIV. The fire department warns that children playing in puddles and muddy areas are at risk of discovering discarded needles. They should never touch one.

Adults who find a needle should follow the following safety procedures for handling and disposal: Never recap the needle; use tweezers, pliers or tongs to pick up a needle by the plunger and keep sharp end away from body; place the needle sharp end first into a hard container; put the lid on tightly, reinforce it with tape and place it in a garbage or away from children; wash hands with soap and water.

Between March and June every year, the fire department is called to pick up thousands of used needles. As of Friday evening, they received almost 70 calls to pick-up used needles in a 24-hour period. Adults who are not comfortable with the disposal of needles should call SFPS at 975-2528 or public health at 655-4620.

Source: canada.com (http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/story.html?id=8629bc57-52a9-4f4b-8524-7ffafd264297&k=769)

[ABFF37]

To answer the original question in the thread, yes, my department does provide this service. And there's nothing better than getting up from a nice warm dinner to go pick up some gross discarded needles or used condoms :rolleyes:

Our aerial ladder trucks have a large sharps container, and these arm length pick up tongs...so it's a pretty quick and simple operation. It's not something that we end up being called out for THAT much, so I guess it's not such a big deal. In areas where there is a bigger drug problem within the city (the East Village, Victoria Park etc.) the fire department runs these "Safe Streets" boxes. They look like a little mail box, and they're usually attached to a telephone pole or light standard. People can throw their old needles in there and keep them off the ground. Surprisingly enough, the boxes are very well used, and I'm pretty sure that they help contribute to a lower incidence of this kind of call for us.

AB

[BCFFFV]

You gotta be kidding me....If 911 was called everytime a needle was found in Vancouver we would never see the hall!!....BC.....

Ha! Yeah no kidding.....I think they would have to make an exception for Vancouver.....Actually Surrey also.

[Toxic]

There is a "service" in Winnipeg that looks after this. The fire department doesn't need to be bothered with something dumb like this, although someone does have to deal with it so kids don't get stuck or (whatever happens from a condom - ick).

At work needle duty falls on our security services department. When their sharps container is full we have it disposed of for them.

A couple of years ago we keep finding tons of hypos in the same area on a boulevard. Although drug use is not uncommon among some of those in our facility, intervenus drug use is uncommon. Finally I got fed up and had the contents of some needles analysed. Turned out to be anabolic steroids. A couple of posters in the gym locker room and the problem was solved.

[iamvff]

There is a "service" in Winnipeg that looks after this. The fire department doesn't need to be bothered with something dumb like this, although someone does have to deal with it so kids don't get stuck or (whatever happens from a condom - ick).

At work needle duty falls on our security services department. When their sharps container is full we have it disposed of for them.

A couple of years ago we keep finding tons of hypos in the same area on a boulevard. Although drug use is not uncommon among some of those in our facility, intervenus drug use is uncommon. Finally I got fed up and had the contents of some needles analysed. Turned out to be anabolic steroids. A couple of posters in the gym locker room and the problem was solved.

In Wpg. they just throw all of the condoms in the Red River, so that when you go on the boat cruise you can look at all the different colors floating around!! :p

iamvff :rolleyes:

[edmonchuk]

In Wpg. they just throw all of the condoms in the Red River, so that when you go on the boat cruise you can look at all the different colors floating around!! :p

iamvff :rolleyes:

Those are fresh water jelly fish! :)

[Haweater]

SASKATOON, SK - ...
Between March and June every year, the fire department is called to pick up thousands of used needles. As of Friday evening, they received almost 70 calls to pick-up used needles in a 24-hour period. Adults who are not comfortable with the disposal of needles should call SFPS at 975-2528 or public health at 655-4620.

Source: canada.com (http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/story.html?id=8629bc57-52a9-4f4b-8524-7ffafd264297&k=769)

That's bloody ridiculous to have the FD take care of this. If there's that much to be done, one employee (Public Health?) in a van should be running around.
What are you guys doing to go pick them up, please tell me an apparatus is not being used for this!! Chief's car/truck or equivalent would be top end of acceptable.
Then charge any junkie who's throwing the needles out with endangering public safety and littering.