Firefighters learn to handle horses in barn fire scenarios
Editor's note: this version corrects the spelling of Shipmen's Fire Equipment Co.
North Stonington — The region’s first firefighter equine training drill Saturday morning produced this reality: Given that horse farms are in rural areas, often with long, narrow driveways and no fire hydrants, fire prevention is the best bet for saving horses’ lives.
About two dozen firefighters and fire marshals from throughout Connecticut made their way to Phoenix Rising Equine Rescue on Pine Woods Road early Saturday morning for a training session titled “Barn Fire! Horse Evacuation Techniques,” sponsored by Shipmen’s Fire Equipment Co. in Waterford and the nonprofit rescue operation.
“The best thing we can do is prevention tips, because we’re not going to get there on time,” said Stephen Warshaw of the Warren Volunteer Fire Company. “If it’s fully involved, we’re not going in for the horses.”
Standing in the large barn with hay stored in one corner and several horses poking their heads from stalls to sniff and nudge their guests, firefighters, some who are horse owners and others who have never handled a horse, and rescue service volunteers traded tips and advice.
Heather Vontagen of Preston, a four-year volunteer at Phoenix Rising, started with the basics. Horses are spooked easily, and they kick.
But rather than try to bolt from the barn during a fire or other emergency, the horses will want to remain in their stalls, she said, where they feel safe.
Horses are natural followers, though, so if one horse can be led to safety, others will want to follow, Vontagen said.
She instructed firefighters to stand at the left side of the horse’s head, at a 45-degree angle from the front legs and to hold the harness strap at the base of the horse’s chin.
“Where the head is going, the body will follow,” Vontagen said. Placing a cloth over the horse’s eyes might help. “If he can’t see, he’ll have to trust you,” she said.
As Vontagen held up a harness to show how the various clamps and buckles fit around a horse’s head and snout, firefighters quickly interjected that if there were a fire, they would not have time to figure out the complicated system in time.
Participants suggested a rescue harness be created with simple dog-collar-like latches that snap in place.
Others asked for lessons on how to use a plain rope to make a quick horse lead.
Finding a horse’s harness hanging on a wall in a dark, smoky barn also might be difficult. Firefighters suggested marking the hanging spot with reflective tape.
Susan Kreutter, president and principal operator of the sanctuary, said the two biggest fire threats in a barn are hay and electricity.
Barns should be designed with hay storage in a separate building, but the builders of the main barn at Phoenix Rising included a cubbyhole for hay storage in one corner.
Kreutter said wet hay can combust spontaneously. She sticks her hand into every bale to be stored in the barn, and if it’s warm, “out it goes.”
Tony Manfredi, Mystic Fire Department deputy chief and fire coordinator for the New London County Fire Chiefs’ Association, pointed above his head at a thick extension cord running through the rafters and hanging like Christmas garland in places.
“That’s very dangerous. You should get that out of here,” he said, offering suggestions on securing electrical wires.
Manfredi suggested all livestock barns should be inspected by fire marshals for potential safety hazards and suggestions.
Saturday’s training session was organized after Shipmen’s was contacted by Phoenix Rising for a possible donation.
The fire equipment company donated fire extinguishers for the facility’s barns, which currently house 10 rescued horses of varying ages, sizes and conditions: one is blind and another suffers from seizures.
Firefighters at Saturday’s training session said installing extinguishers is one of the best prevention tools. Unheated, dusty barns are not suitable for traditional smoke detectors, firefighters said.
Shipmen’s Chrissy Wallace, business development manager Vince Santamauro and Scott Air Packs room manager Steve Super, an Old Lyme firefighter, took their turns leading 16-year-old former race horse General Lee in a circle outside the main barn.
The horse was more interested in nibbling at the wet grass at his feet than following instructions of novice handlers. Making kissing noises coaxes the horse, Vontagen said.
With a few instructions, and some kissing noises, Connor Doyle of the North Stonington Volunteer Fire Co. coaxed General Lee to walk in a circle and even got the horse to back up several steps.
North Stonington Fire Chief Charles Steinhart said not all barn emergencies will be fires. His department responded to a horse barn collapse in February 2014.
Steinhart said firefighters came armed with their usual equipment, but to avoid scaring the horses even more, they quickly switched from chain saws to quieter battery-operated skill saws to rescue the four horses.
Others recalled rescuing horses that had slipped and fallen on ice or in deep mud, and said Saturday’s training session was helpful in learning their behavior and how best to respond.
c.bessette@theday.com
Twitter: @Bessettetheday
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