Help Us Help You!

Swan Valley Emergency Services (SVES) would like to share some situations we have dealt with when responding to emergencies.

With the recent warmer weather (annual mid-winter thaw) the ice/snow pack on driveways and approaches is giving way to deep slush making normal car and truck traffic difficult. Many driveways are plowed to accommodate one lane with a seven to eight foot snowplow. Guess what it’s like with a fire engine 28 ft long, 9-10 feet wide or a water tender hauling 3,000 gallons of water on this same driveway? In some cases it impossible even with chains or four wheel drive.

Recently as we were responding to a medical call and ready to turn off the county road into the driveway, we were informed by a responder on scene that the ambulance would have to back in as there was no where to turn a vehicle around at the residence.

When SVES is responding to an emergency scene, we need a wide clear road with an adequate turn around spot. If it is necessary to back in we will but this type of maneuver delays our response time.

If you see flashing lights, give us a break and stay away, we’re trying to do our job and don’t need other distractions.

Last Friday we responded to an emergency on Highway 83 by the airstrip. Local people drove by that night numerous times to see what was going on.

When you see those flashing lights along the road, that’s your emergency responders out there in the ditch or directing traffic. There is enough danger dealing with traffic going through the valley, we don’t need to be dealing with locals. If you’re that interested, we’re looking for volunteers.

SVES is made up of local residents who have volunteered their time to respond to emergencies in the valley from the summit to mile marker 64, providing mutual aide to both Swan Lake and Seeley Lake.

So please, help us help you! Thanks.