RCFD Responds to Afternoon Grass Fire

Second human-caused fire in 24 hours

Rapid City, S.D. - Crews from three Rapid City Fire Stations responded to a grass fire near the intersection of First and Quincy Streets this afternoon. At about 1:15 pm, Pennington County 9-1-1 dispatched crews to a report of a 20-foot by 20-foot area on fire behind the apartments at that location. When crews arrived, the fire had spread uphill aided by gusty winds and dry fuels.

The forward progress of the fire was stopped within about 15 minutes. Crews spent about 90 minutes on scene mopping up hot spots. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries reported. Although no structures were immediately threatened, the Rapid City Fire Department provided structure protection for homes on Kellogg Place in the Star Village neighborhood above the fire. 

The fire burned approximately 1/2 acre of grass. The fire is believed to have been human caused. The Rapid City Fire Department Fire and Life Safety Division is investigating. 

This is the second human caused grass fire in 24 hours for the RCFD. In both cases, fire moved quickly through green grass and was pushed by gusty winds. With continued warm and dry conditions, the public is reminded to exercise caution with ignition sources. 

No updates to this release are anticipated. Please contact Jim Bussell, Public Information Officer for the Rapid City Fire Department at 605-394-4180 for questions related to this release.

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Cardiac Arrest Victim Successfully Resuscitated at Sioux Park Track

Bystanders, responders work together to achieve positive outcome.

Rapid City, S.D. – Just before 9 am this morning, Pennington County 9-1-1 dispatched Rapid City Fire Department units to the track at Sioux Park for a report of a cardiac arrest. An individual was exercising on the track and suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Bystanders immediately administered CPR. As is standard protocol, the Rapid City Police Department was also notified of the emergency. Senior Officer Jerred Younie and Senior Officer Mark Weyer were on patrol in the area and responded.

When Officers Weyer and Younie arrived, the pair deployed an automated external defibrillator (AED) from Younie’s patrol car. Officer Weyer administered one shock from the AED to the victim. Medic 3 and Rescue 3 from the RCFD station located on Federal Avenue were on scene within 4 minutes and began providing advanced life support (ALS). At the time the individual was delivered to a local hospital, they were conscious and able to communicate with medical staff.

The American Heart Association uses a metaphor to describe the series of actions that must be successfully performed to give victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest the best chance for survival. That metaphor is known as the Chain of Survival. Links in the chain include:

-Recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system

-Immediate high-quality CPR

-Rapid defibrillation

-Basic and advanced emergency medical services

-Advanced life support and post-arrest care

This incident today is a prime example of each of those links functioning flawlessly and ending in a positive result. This incident also highlights the importance of knowing CPR and being prepared to perform resuscitative efforts should they be needed. Each individual that responded to this incident were integral links in the Chain of Survival. The bystanders who quickly recognized cardiac arrest and initiated CPR, the 9-1-1 dispatchers that directed callers and activated EMS response, the RCPD officers that deployed their defibrillator quickly and efficiently, the outstanding pre-hospital care providers from the RCFD, and the medical staff at the receiving facility today were all links to a successful resuscitation.

To protect the identity of the individual involved, no information on the individuals gender, sex, age, etc. will be released. No further updates to this release are anticipated. For questions or comment related to this release, please contact Lt. Jim Bussell, RCFD Public Information Officer, at (605)-394-4180.

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