Tornado Warning

[g-01]

Last night we had the first - in my recolection - ever tornado warning for our area (northwestern ontario). Several years ago we had a severe weather system come through with tornado like conditions and the weather guys are now a little gun-shy.........

I was wondering what the standard process is in other rural areas when it comes to storm warnings and actual storm strikes? I had the urge to go to the firehall and wait for a call but my wife insisted I stay "with the house". Do any depts have a "take care of yourself first" policy?

Thanks in advance

Scotty

[firecadet911]

Hi!

I'm not a firefighter, but a fire cadet. Something that was always stressed to me during my training was that rescuer safety always comes first. Don't jeapordize your own safety or well being. This can sometimes be a hard concept to grasp but it must be followed, at least by the department that I am a cadet with. If going to the firehall would not jeapordize your safety, then go. However, if a tornado stands between you and the firehall..... I'll let you figure that one out for yourself!

Hope this helps. Take care and stay safe!

firecadet911

[g-01]

Firecadet911: Thanks for the reminder of base knowledge. To take it one step further, what about property protection when the pager goes off? I know the last time we had "the big one" come through the FD was very busy with calls, most of them ignoring issues with their own properties. I suppose it becomes a judgement call - if its a life-threatening page and your barn roof is leaking...........................

Thanks again

Scotty

[firecadet911]

It's a judgement call at that point then. Are you going to leave your family in a building that could potentially face a tornado? I didn't think so. Priority #1: protect life, priority #2: protect property.
I would say the safest bet in your scenario would have been to wait with your family (which, from what I have gathered, you did) until the tornado had past your community and then respond. That way you can re-assure your family during the tornado and they can feel a little better when you are out and about helping others knowing that you are not in any immediate danger from the tornado.

Don't know if this helps you but you are completely correct when you say it's a judgement call. Do what you think is right!

Take care and stay safe!

firecadet911

[g-01]

Sounds like logic should prevail............


Thanks

Scotty