First responders educate on winter safety
Death, taxes and the outdoor life are three guarantees you can count on in Newfoundland and Labrador, and indeed many areas of Atlantic Canada.
To celebrate the outdoor life, residents take to all-terrain vehicles or snowmobiles.
A group of first responders teamed up earlier this week with Safety NL, the City of St. John’s and Rovers Search and Rescue for a public-education event highlighting the safe operation of all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
Being prepared is what Safety NL was preaching to members of the Mary Queen of Peace Cub Pack B during an outdoor demonstration.
Jim Stoyles and Darren Dunphy, representing Safety NL, outlined safety practices for ATVs, Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV) — commonly called sideby-sides — and snowmobiles.
“Something as simple as wearing a helmet has to be taught to people who are operating these machines because a lot of them ignore that rule,” Dunphy told the Cubs.
“So what do you tell your grandfather if he tells you to go ahead and ride that machine without a helmet? I would say, hang on for a second, I am going to get my helmet,” he said.
Safety NL has been delivering safety programs for more than 60 years. With ATV, UTV and snowmobile use on the increase, the need for safety training has never been so important.
If you experience difficulties while exploring the outdoors, emergency responders are available to help.
“The key to outdoor safety and survival is having the correct equipment and most people will carry those on an ATV or snowmobile,” Rick Smith of the Rovers Search and Rescue said Sunday.
“Some carry them in a backpack, some on their snowmobile … but everyone should carry these things with them when heading out for the day,” he added.
Smith has his way; he developed a coffee can full of items to help survive in the great outdoors. Smith said it is like an American Express card — don’t leave home without it, as it contains practically everything you will need. The kit weighs 1.1 pounds.
“I don’t think people pay enough attention to this. They always say, ‘this will never happen to me,’ but we see it every day,” Trevor Hancock of the Rovers Search and Rescue said.
“We saw it just recently on the west coast. A group of snowmobilers were out and got caught in the weather. That is why you should always be prepared,” he added.
Reduce fatalities
There are fatalities annually in this province involving off-road vehicles. The RCMP NL hopes that education will help decrease those incidents.
“This is an ongoing community policing problem for rural Newfoundland,” S/Sgt David Ossinger of traffic services said.
Accident scenes involving ATV or snowmobiles are regular calls for the RCMP and many other first-responder groups, Ossinger said.
“There are a host of responsibilities under the law for people who operate any of these vehicles. There are practices they could be doing to keep themselves safe out there.”
Presenters said it is important to know and follow the safe practices guidelines when operating your ATV or snowmobile.
Riders should always wear a helmet, ensure they drive in safe places and not on highways, public roads or private land and in N.L. operators must be 16 years or older to operate an adult-size machine.
Developed in consultation and co-operation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the educational campaign is aimed at both adults and youth.