GRDA Officers Increase Medical Training
While the state requires that all police officers remain certified in first aid and CPR, GRDA Police made the commitment to require patrol officers to increase their emergency medical training due to the varying environments of their duties. GRDA recently had thirty officers complete a course for Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification.
Major Chris Carlson with GRDA Police said he has been advocating this advanced medical training for the officers for years due to the often isolated areas in which they work. Whether on the lake, river or in the off-road areas below the dams, GRDA officers are frequently the first emergency personnel to arrive at a scene where there are injured persons. Carlson said that officers are often faced with a situation where an EMS crew is not able to reach an injured person and officers must transport the injured to awaiting paramedics. The 72 hour EMR course will allow officers to properly triage, treat and stabilize a victim, even before EMS arrives at the scene or the victim can be taken to a waiting EMS unit.
The EMR course provides instruction in the treatment of trauma cases and medical incidents, and teaches officers how to establish airways, administer oxygen, treat cardiac patients, treat traumatic injuries and how to immobilize a patient using cervical collars and on a backboard. The EMR course is described as not only a refresher to a first aid course, but is much more in-depth. Having officers capable of treating and stabilizing a patient before they can be turned over to EMS is a big plus for the public, since police are regularly first care providers on the scene of an incident and they can provide better patient care till they can be transported to EMS personnel.
The lead instructor for the course was Steve Smith, Operations Manager and Paramedic for Mayes Emergency Services Trust Authority, or MESTA. Smith stated he has been providing this instruction to emergency responders for seven years, but this is the first time he has taught the course for police officers. While some police agencies will train a few officers in this type of medical training when they are assigned to specialized units, such as tactical teams, GRDA Police is the only known agency in the state that provides the EMR training to a large percentage of their officers. Smith hopes that other police agencies will follow suit with GRDA Police by providing this type of training for their officers, because law enforcement is often on the scene before others and to allow the officers to treat fellow officers quickly, should the need arise.
In addition to trauma kits and AED’s now carried by GRDA officers, personnel will soon have the tools necessary to monitor a patients vital signs, establish airways and administer oxygen, and immobilize patients using backboards and C-collars. Officers will also be spending time each month riding with local EMS services in an effort to maintain their proficiency in their medical certification.
When combined with the Swift Water Rescue, Tactical Ropes Rescue, Confined Space Rescue and the EMR certification, there is little doubt the officers of GRDA Police are among the best trained and equipped officers in the State of Oklahoma.
Welcome to the BMR
After months of planning, the time has arrived for us to welcome thousands of visitors to the area for the BMR activities beginning Thursday. GRDA Police will be active this weekend providing the services and enforcement that is needed to ensure a safe weekend for all.
GRDA Officers will be patrolling and enforcing the following rules, as well as applicable State laws on the state properties below Pensacola Dam. We would like to stress that consumption of alcoholic beverages and low-point beer will not be tolerated while operating or riding in a vehicle, motorcycle, or ATV. Operating a vehicle, motorcycle, or ATV while under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be tolerated.
Helmets must be worn by all operators AND passengers who are under the age of eighteen (18) in any off-road vehicle, or vehicle being used for off-road activities, any motorcycles, and any ATV’s.
Children who are required by law to be in a properly installed and secured child seat based on age and size, and are in a vehicle with a ROPS, may be properly secured in the seat without a helmet.
There are some areas of the GRDA properties that are restricted, such as immediately below the dam & spillways. Areas that are covered by Rip-Rap are also considered restricted areas, as well as areas marked by signs and barricades. DO NOT ENTER or attempt to drive in these areas. Patrons shall not cross the zones which are barricaded and marked off, or they will be subject to trespassing.
The following Regulations will be enforced on GRDA properties:
300:35-23-1. Designated areas
In the interest of public safety, there shall be no four-wheel vehicles, off-road vehicles or all-terrain vehicles on GRDA lands except in designated areas. Operators of such vehicles are subject to federal and state laws and GRDA rules.
300:35-23-2. Passengers prohibited
Passengers are only allowed on three (3) wheelers, four (4) wheelers, or motorcycles when the manufacturer has equipped the vehicle for such passenger which includes a separate seat and foot support.
300:35-23-3. Low gear required
Low gear only except on trails posted at speed limits in excess of five (5) MPH.
300:35-23-4. Racing prohibited
No racing on GRDA property is allowed except as permitted by a sanctioned event permit.
300:35-23-5. Lights required
All vehicles, including motorcycles, must be equipped with a working dimmable front headlight and working rear lights if operating between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise. Any vehicle utilizing light bars shall turn them off upon the approach of another vehicle.
300:35-23-6. Roll bar, helmet, and seat belt requirements
Dune buggies and 4x4 vehicles must have a ROPS sufficient to support the weight of the vehicle and must have a seat belt for each passenger. Helmets shall be required for the driver and passenger of motorcycles, ATVs or bikes.
300:35-23-7. No liability
GRDA shall not be liable and hereby disclaims any responsibility for any and all injuries and accidents, up to and including death, which may occur as a result of participating in off-road activities. Each driver and passenger rides at his/her own risk and assumes all risks of the activity.
300:35-23-8. Alcoholic beverages prohibited
Alcoholic beverages, including low point beer, are prohibited from areas in which off-road activities occur.
300:35-23-9. Signage
Drivers shall obey all signs posted on GRDA land including areas that are off limits and speed designations.
300:35-23-10. Penalty
(a) GRDA Police and Compliance Officers may verbally order any person that is violating these rules to immediately exit the lands of GRDA.
(b) Additionally, any person, after notice and opportunity to be heard in accordance with Subchapter 21 herein, may be banned from the lands of GRDA for a period of time up to, and including, ninety (90) days.
In case of emergency, call GRDA Police at 911.
Areas that are covered by Rip-Rap are considered restricted areas, as well as areas marked by signs and barricades. DO NOT ENTER or attempt to drive in these areas.
There are some areas of the GRDA properties that are restricted, such as immediately below the dam & spillways. Watch for signs and barricades marking restricted areas.
Welcome to the BMR
Did You Know?
True or False: A dock or slip should always be approached at clutch or idle speed.
Answer: True. A safe boater always operates at a reasonable speed at all times, especially in crowded waterways or near docks and slips. Safe boating requires you to always be in control of your watercraft, taking time to perform all maneuvers with adequate precision. Plus, you are required by law to operate at idle speed within 150 feet of any structure including any dock, ramp, bridge or pier.
GRDA Improves Water Safety Initiatives with Funding
The Grand River Dam Authority’s ongoing commitment to promoting water safety on its lakes and rivers is always a priority. Recently, that commitment was reinforced when GRDA donated funds to continue a long-standing partnership with the Grand Lake Sail and Power Squadron (GLSPS).
For many years, GLSPS has been an active advocacy group in the Grand Lake region, promoting boater and water safety through a number of programs. Due to the recent $6,125.00 donation from GRDA, the GLSPS will continue a very important outreach program in 2018; one focused on providing lake users with life jackets.
“Safety is the core mission of the GRDA Police, and the programs that the GLSPS conducts to distribute life jackets have a positive impact on our ability to reduce casualties on Oklahoma lakes and rivers,” said GRDA Community Relations Officer Ed Ferguson.
Life jackets purchased with those funds will be distributed to lake users through various GLSPS programs and events, added Ferguson. In fact, the first of these give-away programs took place at the recent Grand Lake Boat and Sport Show in Grove, where the GLSPS handed out free life jackets to children. As part of that effort, GLSPS members also ensured the jackets were properly fitted to each recipient. Most importantly, parents were able to leave the show knowing their children had received the most important piece of equipment they would need for any water-related outing.
The GLSPS will be conducting a similar life jacket distribution program at the South Grand Lake Camp Bandage event on Saturday, June 9th. This free safety fair for families will be held at the Grand Lake RV Resort in Duck Creek (at 31527 S. 4510 Rd., Afton). The public is encouraged to attend the event and bring their children, so that GLSPS can continue to provide properly-fitted life jackets, at no charge.
Of course, the GLSPS also maintains a number of static life jacket loaner stations around the north Grand Lake area. These stations are equipped with various sizes of life jackets for children and adults and allow users to “borrow” a life jacket before they venture out onto the water. Currently, five life jacket stations are located around the lake for public use, these include the Wolf Creek Park boat ramp, Honey Creek State Park boat ramp, Grand Lake State Park boat ramp in Bernice, Twin Bridges State Park boat ramp and the Elk River boat ramp.
The GLSPS expects to distribute over 500 life jackets this year as a result of the funds provided by the GRDA.
Lake Launch Date Set
Friday May 4th is the date for the 2018 annual Lake Launch for everyone to gather and celebrate the kick-off of another fantastic lake season. The Lake Launch will be held at the Eco Building in Langley from 6-9 PM.
GRDA will have vendor tables available for a limited number of lakeside businesses to share their goods and services with the public. Space is limited and there is no charge for participation. Contact us at ed.ferguson@grda.com if you are interested in a vendor booth
Suspicious Mail or Packages
Boating Tips From the GLSPS
If your boat suddenly loses power, a quick decision is necessary to determine if the boat is in danger. Will it drift on to rocks or into too shallow of an area? Can it hit another structure? Are you in a busy boating area? If you are in a safe area, you can attempt to fix the problem or call the local towboat rescue service. If the water is shallow enough for anchoring, consider anchoring so you can maintain your position. Another alternative if your boat is not too large and is reasonably close to a safe shore, is to paddle or rig a sail from the boat’s canopy if the wind is favorable. Remember to always stay with the boat and put on your PFD.
Daytime distress signals are slowing raising and lowering arms, an orange distress signal flag with a black square and a black circle on it, continuous sounding of your horn or an orange smoke signal/flare. For night time, use red flares for a distress signal or as a last resort the SOS signal with a light. To call for help, use channel 16 on the VHF radio or use a cell phone to call for assistance. Grand Lake boaters should keep the GRDA Police number and the local towboat service in their phone address book.
Interested in becoming more confident in your boating skills? Boat Smart from the start and take a course from America’s Boating Club, the United States Power Squadrons. For local information visit our website at: usps.org/grandlake or on Face Book at GLSPS.
Camp Bandage Receives GRDA Support
The second annual Camp Bandage youth safety program recently accepted financial assistance from GRDA in the amount of $1,500.00 to help fund the event. Camp Bandage is a safety fair that is provided at no cost to the public designed to enrich the lives of area children in an effort to improve their summer safety practices. Camp Bandage will be held on June 9th this year at the Grand Lake RV Resort and will feature regional emergency response and public service agencies that will be on hand to present a variety of information to children and adults about how to reduce their risk of being injured. The event will include a number of interactive demonstrations from the participating agencies.
GRDA added further support to the program recently by providing over $2,000.00 to the Grand Lake Sail & Power Squadron to distribute free life jackets to children at the Camp Bandage event.
GRDA Community Relations Officer Ed Ferguson recently presented the funds to the Camp Bandage Board of Directors at a South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce meeting.
By the Book
The Administrative Regulations of GRDA describe the organizations, operations, and procedures for the Grand River Dam Authority with respect to its administration, rulemaking, and other activities and are intended to supplement and interpret pertinent provisions of state statutes.
The following information are excerpts of the GRDA Administrative Regulations Title 300 Chapter 35 that are provided in an effort to educate the public about what regulations are enforced on GRDA waterways and properties. Many of these regulations have changed effective September 11, 2017. All GRDA regulations are available for review at GRDA.com.
SANCTIONED EVENTS
300:35-9-1. Sanctioned event definition
A sanctioned event is any organized event which has been permitted by GRDA that occurs on the waters and lands of GRDA, including, but not limited to, regattas, motorboat or other boat races, marine parades, tournaments, fishing tournaments, "poker" runs, motorized rock-climbing, fireworks displays, concerts and other exhibitions.
300:35-9-2. Permit required
No sanctioned event shall be held without a written permit issued by GRDA prior to the event.
300:35-9-3. Public and environmental safety
(a) GRDA Police shall require that any sanctioned event be held in a safe manner and under safe environmental conditions.
(b) Any vessel operating in an unsafe manner, or without due regard to other vessels, water skiers, swimmers, sanctioned events, restrictive markers or buoys, existing wind or weather conditions, waves, or wakes, may be immediately removed from the waters of GRDA by GRDA Police.
(c) GRDA may require that any sanctioned event conform to specific environmental requirements for the purpose of protecting fish, wildlife, or habitat. Such requirements shall be specified on the sanctioned event permit. Any sponsor of a sanctioned event, or any participant in such sanctioned event, which fails to follow the environmental requirements may be immediately removed from the waters of GRDA by GRDA Police.
(d) In addition to the penalties specified herein, any person violating this rule may be subject to criminal sanctions as provided by law and any other penalties as provided in 300:35-7-11.
Riverology 101
Adopt The Shoreline
GRDA's 2018 Lake Events
