The East Bethel Fire Department is busy year round. However, the job changes dramatically from the first snow fall to the last of every year.

“On average we have two winter related car accidents each week,” said 13- year veteran fireman Dan Berry.

Most accidents that happen between the first snow fall and the last are due to driving poorly in winter weather conditions.

“It happens when people are driving too fast for the weather, and when they aren’t paying attention,” said 10-year veteran fireman Craig Chesler.

They say a majority of winter related car accidents take place when a thin layer of snow covers the road. Conditions change and people tend to forget about the possible ice beneath the light layer of snow.

Drivers can do many things to help prevent being in a winter related wreck.

“The best thing to do, is be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the change in weather and mind your driving as well as others,” said Chesler.
Berry reminds drivers to be alert.

“If you have to change your radio station, just wait until you get to a stop sign or stop light,” he said.

The fire fighters say the best thing to do if you find yourself part of a car accident is to stay in your vehicle if possible. If your car is upright and is not on fire, it is best to remain inside until help arrives to avoid getting hit or becoming part of another accident.

“Call 911 and give the dispatcher as much information as possible, the rest will just fall into place,” said Berry.

Chesler has seen a lot of first time winter drivers in the ditch, but usually nothing too serious happens.

Senior Macey Van Krevelen ended up in the ditch after spinning twice on an icy road on the way up to her family cabin last winter.

“None of us were talking. It was kinda funny sitting in my car in dead silence while nooked in a snow bank,” said Van Krevelen.

While drivers are often frightened or worried when an accident occurs, fire fighters also have to deal with emotions when they arrive on a scene.

“We train so much, that the training kicks in first. We start gathering as much info as we can and immediately start thinking about what we are going to do as soon as we arrive,” said Berry.

As professionals, fire fighters are trained to hurry to the scene as quickly as possible.

“When my pager goes off, I flee to my vehicle and start planning. The adrenaline rush is so much, that I start thinking about all possibilities,” said Chesler.

They have to stop and think about their own safety as well.

“We have to think about our safety because we don’t want to cause a second accident. We want to be available to help,” said Berry.

The first thing fire fighters do when they arrive, is survey the scene.

“We address different hazards for different accidents. We always start by stabilizing the vehicle and helping the patient,” said Chesler.

Berry said the best part of his job is helping people in their time of need. Chesler said the best part is trying to make a bad situation better. Both men agreed that the only downfall of the job is when they are called to a scene and children are involved.

“It’s the worst part,” said Chesler, “Imagine if they were your own kids.”