Flood Clean-up: Safety Suggestions
The combination of the damage to our roads and bridges with the reduced number of fire-fighters in the community leaves us with potentially long response times. Any serious injury or illness which might normally be served well by an ambulance could very easily require a medical helicopter evacuation.
Please exercise caution while working in your home and around your property. There are many new hazards introduced by the flood and most of us have a lot of work ahead to clean up the community. Working carefully requires little or no extra material and only a little extra time for planning.
Here are just a few suggestions:
- Do not work alone when on ladders or using power saws.
- When using a chainsaw, wear saw chaps.
- Watch for sharp objects and dropoffs that are new to your property.
- Wear boots. Most shoes offer little protection.
- Standing water and wet items may be contaminated from damaged septic areas. Wear gloves and dispose of properly.
- Wear gloves & safety glasses.
- Have a first aid kit available.
- Have a planned method to summon help if your phone is inoperative.
- Realize that Emergency Services may not be able to reach you quickly if your road is damaged.
Josh Thompson
Captain, Pinewood Springs FPD
Photo credit: The Greeley Tribune
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We have a piano and furniture that were in our garage that was flooded with quite a bit of water up Estes Park Estates Drive. All of these items will need to be disposed of. Are there any plans of having assistance from volunteers in PWS to assist with removing these types of things? A piano is NOT an easy item to move or dispose of… We were renting this home and because of water damage and mold problems, we will be moving out. We may need these moved sooner rather than later depending on what our landlord requests. We are staying with family two hours away currently.
Megan,
I am a “displaced” resident of Pinewood and have been living in Estes. I also know that Rocky Mountain Church of Estes has a team of volunteers working on a 24/7 basis for things just like this. If interested, please send any requests to assist@rockymountainchurch.com.
Great! Thank you so much!!!
Waste Management has been collecting our trash for the last two weeks. They don’t ordinarily pick up large items but maybe they can give you information who does. Here’s their number.
1 (888) 588 3611
Good Luck!
Linda
HI , I was wondering if there is a volunteer group doing chainsaw work in the river area in Pinewood Springs for the larger trees? I would like to be a part of that group. Are there large groups doing cleanup in the river areas as well. I would also like to help out here. Is there someone coordinating this ? With much appreciation Andy