CONTRAVERSIAL!!! You have been warned ;)

Suzanne · Guru

CONTRAVERSIAL!!! You have been warned ;)

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Ooohhh - interesting, Suzanne! Obviously you'd hope that smoke alarms were working, so that everyone in the surgery would be well warned, before the fire was licking round your feet. But vet surgeries will have oxygen and other highly flammable materials that may give very little time to react. Again, I think each one of us would have to grab as many animals as we could carry and get them out to safety. The animal in surgery is more difficult unless they're being operated on a trolley where they can be wheeled out.

It's hard to say when you've never been a victim of fire how you would react to it. The heat is incredible for a start, you can't breathe in the smoke filled atmosphere - or if you do, you're in danger of suffocating. The only breathable air is likely to be at ground level, so it could be the best way to escape would be to crawl to safety commando-style, but you'd have to drag assorted animals behind you as you went!

I asked Billy what he would do. He used to be a Firefighter in Falkirk. He said that strictly speaking the vet nurses and vets should get themselves out shutting all doors behind them to slow the progress of the fire and phone the Fire Brigade. (But I know that Billy would do the same as the rest of us - and rescue as many animals as he could while he was getting himself out).

Christine

FAJ · Enlightened One

I'm hoping that each practice has an SOP for this incidence, which details exactly what has to be done and what the escape routes are. I'm with Christine in that I hope the smoke detector systems would be in good working order, so that there wouldn't be any need for a flame-filled dash from a blazing building.

TBH, if my pet was in the surgery and was left behind in a fire, if I found out that there had been no thought given to evacuation procedures for both staff AND animals, I'd be really angry. Of course I understand that human life is sacrosanct but, being 100% brutally honest, my initial immediate thought is that I value the life of my Pearly and Harry, whom I know and love dearly, more than the life of a person whom I don't. (Oooh, more contraversy!!)

That said, veterinary care strikes me as being vocational, so I can well imagine bras, pants, socks, trousers, boots, hats, hands, arms, bags, etc all stuffed full of animals as the practice staff try to save as many as they can.

Very interesting thread, Suz, and I'm looking forward to seeing people's replies.

Fiona

bluesmumanddad · Master

Sure most vet practices has a protocol in place and as most vets/nurses are dedicated to saving animals lives I would hope they would get as many out as possible.

As for the animal in surgery well alot depends on the gravity of the case and at what point the surgery was at. If the animal was in the middle of a very complex operation you could understand them leaving it where it is - at least it would be anethatised and wouldn't know anything about it. However if it was a routine op say castration/ teeth descaling I would hope they would take the animal out with them.

UndercoverElephant · Master

I guess in any of these cases it's up to the individual staff as to how they view thier own safety. Obviously, no employer can say that their staff must (or even are allowed to) go back into a burning building - no matter what.

Another question is: what kind of animal would you risk your neck for? A hamster? A lizard? A snake? A cat? A yappy little Bichon Frisse which growls and snaps every time it sees a bigger dog on the lead?

greyflintstone · Master

FAJ wrote:

human life is sacrosanct

Ok, so if we're being controversial ........

Yes, I would want my pets to be safe, but how would I feel if someone risked their life just too much to save one of the animals? As Fiona said (and I know I've cut her sentence v short) human life is sacrosanct and surely the people matter more ..........

Carol · Master

Once upon a time I was looking after a couple of 'computer babies' with my class for the day. For those of you not in the know, they are the baby simulators that register changes, feeds, neglect blah-de-blah.

Well anyway, the fire alarm went off and I herded my children outside, only to realise that I'd forgotten to bring the babies. So what did I do? I went back in and got them of course! D'OH!!!

Think it's safe to say in that case that I'd definitely rescue the animals.

C

takecon · Master

Hi

You read very often that dog owners have jumped into a swollem river, stormy sea to rescue their dog. They tend to end up drowned and quite often the dog survives. That is a 'family thing' You do that sort of thing!

But hey if my dog/cat was in for an operation - what would I expect - Yes i think I would want my animals rescued but could I live with fact that someone died in rescue attempt

C

dannyboy · Graduate

I work in kennels within a vets practice, my first reaction was that of course I would get as many animals out that I could, when you sit and try to imagine what it would be like, flames around you, searing heat, thick smoke, dogs screaming....I still think that I would do everything in my power to help the animals, I don't think I could take the guilt if I got out ok and didn't try to save the dogs, lets hope none of us ever has to find out what we would do.....

Teresa · Enlightened One

on an emotional note, i'd have to say i'd take as many animals as i could manage to carry. however, never having been in that situation, i really don't know what i'd do in reality.

about 2 weeks ago we were recommended by the police and fire brigade to evacuate our house - the reason being a van fire close by. the van was carrying canisters of highly flammable gas and it wasn't possible to cool them any more, thereby posing a real threat of explosion.

when i asked what arrangements would be made for our dogs, the police didn't have an answer.

needless to say, we stayed put with the dogs.

ps. nothing untoward happened and we were all safe but there was no way i was going to entrust their care to anyone else.

Dawn · Guru

We had a house fire many years ago now, and the first thing I did was let 'Kim' out. I knew he would probably run off, but I guessed he had a better chance out of the house than in!! It transpired that Kim, never left the garden on that day. As far as the Vet is concerned, I would like to think that most Vets, had their fire evacutation practice down to a 'T'. In as much as, certain people were in charge of evacuating certain animals. If they got a call during the night to say that flames were licking through the building, I have to confess, my first thought would be for my dog/cat....I think that would be natural, and I would be devastated if I thought that in their care, the vetenary staff did not do ALL they could, without risking their own lives to save my pet.

Dawn, Mac and Denzel xx

iluska · GAL Treasurer

Hi

In the workplace all employees within must be made aware of fire procedures and indeed these should be practised on a weekly basis - sounding of the fire alarm - and practice of evacuation - at least once every six months. Fire extinguishers will also be in place and dependent upon what can go on fire will determine the type of extinguishing material present - usually red one for water or red with black strip, containing carbon dioxide.

Anyway, fire risk assessments require to be undertaken and prior to that the Fire Brigade used to come in and check workplaces. Anyway, all doors around the workplace should be fire resistant to 30 minutes, if not 60 minutes. Bearing in mind that in many places, the Fire Brigade once summoned can reach you very quickly.

Bringing us on to the next part - all employees must be made aware of fire procedures - is there a fire alarm; what is its sound; how is it activated; when sounded, does it go straight through to the Fire Station, a monitoring station or, are you required to call the Fire Brigade??

Further information, which is foundation to maintaining a safe workplace must be sought from your manager; safety section - indeed, people in the know. And if you don't know, you must know!! Remember, when the fire alarm is sounded - Get Out & Stay Out!!

Now, in places such as residential homes, you would not rush about trying to get people out - too time consuming - ensure that doors and windows are closed and things like electrical and gas appliances are switched off, if you have enough time.

And to finish this mini-lecture - three elements are required to initiate and sustain a fire - oxygen, heat & fuel - so know your sources and keep them under control - housekeeping and safe working procedures are imperative.

Suzanne · Guru

blimey! do you work for the Health & Safety executive by any chance Iluska??

iluska · GAL Treasurer

Hi

Not quite, but I am a Health & Safety Officer for East Ayrshire Council - can you tell?!! Any queries, please ask - I can come quite a bore!

Now wake up, all and sundry!

Andy · Old Hand

iluska wrote:

I can come quite a bore! Now wake up, all and sundry!

No comment - I'm not that brave (or stupid)