CKFR’s bike patrol team climbs back in the saddle


June 11, 2008 · Updated 1:48 PM 

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Each year members of the Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue bike team respond to everything from heart attacks to bee stings at local events. So to keep up on their skills they recently took to the training course.

The CKFR bike team was started in 1991. In 2000, the program was retooled and the team was upgraded with new uniforms, bikes and specialized equipment. Once a year the team trains together, practicing various skills. During last week’s training, the bike team reviewed any new policy changes, procedures and changes in equipment that may have occurred in the past year. They then headed out to the training course that was set up in the Kitsap Mall parking lot. With a large assortment of orange cones set up, members of the bike team practiced a series of riding exercises.

“Riding a bike in a crowd is anything but fast,” said CKFR Capt. Robert Law who also is the team’s coordinator.

The team is made up of eight career firefighters of varying ranks. Being present at special events avoids having a medic unit attempt to drive through crowds. This year the team will be at Kids’ Day, Whaling Days, the quicksilver hydroplane races and watersports festival and the Fair.

“We respond to everything from traumatic cardiac arrest to boating accidents, severe rodeo injuries, shortness of breath, seizures and scraped knees and elbows,” Law said. “We’ve even pumped up a wheelchair tire, it’s the full gamble.”

The team’s bikes are specially modified with road slick tires which are a combination between a road tire and a mountain bike tire, according to Law. The bikes also are complete with specialized rechargeable lighting, law enforcement lights and

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