Firefighters
Continued from page 37
"During the race, we take all the
orders from the tower," said Mar-
tin. Each turn has a full fire-res-
cue crew, he explained, and the
tower determines which should be
dispatched to an accident site.
Along with the fire crews, each
turn is also staffed with an ambu-
lance and a wrecker crew, and two
of the corners have roll-back truck
crews for badly damaged vehi-
cles.
NASCAR vehicles are extreme-
ly safe, said Martin, noting that
drivers have often hit walls at 200
mph and walked away from the
accidents unscathed. The cars
have undergone safety improve-
ments over the years, he said, in-
cluding special ,'space age" win-
dows that won't shatter and dou-
ble netting on the sides to prevent
head injuries.
"Once the race starts, you don't
leave the truck. You stay in the
truck all the time." If an emer-
gency arises, a crew member can't
leave the rescue truck until a relief
worker arrives.
When accidents do occur, res-
cue crews have to be particularly
familiar with trouble spots on the
vehicles.
"You don't put your hands on
the floorboard of the car, because
it's so hot it will burn you," said
Martin. "I think they said it was
Jen Ellingsworth photo
The locals were out in full force during the MBNA 400 at
Dover Downs International Speedway during the Sept. 19-22
weekend. Members of the Lewes and Rehoboth Beach Fire
Departments didn't see much action, though, because there
was only one accident to which firefighters had to respond.
Shown here from the Lewes Volunteer Fire Department. are
First Lt. Randy Soots, left, and ambulance Capt. Kevin Dono-
Van.
ASSOCIATES IN MEDICINE, P.A.
is pleased to announce the association of
KEVIN P. S. WALLACE, M.D.
Dr. Wallace is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.
He trained in Scotland and England, and at
St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport, Connecticut,
where he was Chief Medical Resident.
Also welcoming October 1, 1997
RENATA B. DIDYK, M.D.
Dr. Didyk comes to us from the Medical University of
South Carolina. She is Internal Medicine trained with
a subspecialty in Endocrinology (diabetes, thyroid,
osteoporosis and other glandular disorders).
Dr. Wallace and Dr. Didyk will be seeing
patients in conjunction with
Nancy A. Union, M.D. and Sue Isaacs, PA-C
* 645-6644 *
119 W. Third Street, Lewes, DE
Hours Monday-Friday by Appointment
CAPE GAZETTE, Friday, September 26 - October 2, 1997- 41
150 degrees on the floor."
Drivers, he explained, wear spe-
cial shoes that protect them from
the heat of the floorboards, how-
ever, one of the first things res-
cuers check at an accident is
whether the driver's feet are tan-
gled. "And you don't want to
touch the floorboard doing that,"
said Martin.
"When there's an accident on
the track, we're the first ones to
make sure the driver is OK and
there's no fire," he said. If there is
an injury, they relay the informa-
tion so paramedics can then pro-
vide immediate medical interven-
tion.
Any time there is an accident,
however, drivers must go to the
in-care medical center for assur-
ance that there are no unseen or
unnoticed injuries.
NASCAR, said Martin, "is a
strict organization, and everything
is done by the rules." Drivers who
break rules are usually subject to
fines or other sanctions, he said.
Rescue personnel also take care
of the track if it rains. When the
rain isn't too hard and it appears
the race will be able to continue,
the rescue crews either drive on
the track or drive vehicles drag-
ging tires to expedite the drying
process.
"Every weekend seems to work
out OK in Dover," said Martin.
"We really haven't had any bad
experiences up there."
One of the reasons for contin-
ued high safety levels at the Dover
track, Martin believes, is because
Dover Downs promotes continu-
ity with experienced crews each
year. "They don't put new crew
son every race," said Martin.
"They want the same crews that
were there before."
Martin said he has thoroughly
enjoyed his experiences at the
Dover track. "All these drivers
are nice, down home guys -' most
of them are southern boys. They
all sit down and they'll talk to
you. They're really nice guys."
Martin said his best experience
at the Dover track was meeting
Bill Elliott, the McDonald's Ford
driver.
"When I got to meet him and
see what a nice guy he is - that
was the best experience. It's a lot
of fun up there. I look forward to
it twice a year," said Martin.
Other local rescue workers who
worked at this year's Winston
Cup race included Walter
Southerland, Bill McManus and
Ted Doyle, all of the Rehoboth
Beach Volunteer Fire Company;
and Randy Soots and Kevin
Donovan of the Lewes Volunteer
Fire Department.
FREE ANONYMOUS
HIV TESTS
LEWES SURGICAL ASSOCIATES, P.A.
is pleased to announce the association of
Michele D. Thomas, M.D.
Dr. Thomas is a fellowship trained, board eligible
Colon and Rectal Surgeon. She completed her fellowship at
Leigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA. She is a Board Certi-
fied General Surgeon and completed her training at St.
Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, CT., an affiliate of Yale Uni-
versity. She attended Johns Hopkins University for her under-
graduate degree and received her medical degree from Jeffer-
son College.
Colon and Rectal Surgeons specialize in diseases of
the colon, rectum and anus. Treatment may be either medical
or surgical in nature. Some of the problems and diseases are,
but not limited to, hemorrhoids, fistulas, fissures, diverticuli-
tis, constipation, incontinence, inflammatory bowel disease
(Crohn's or colitis) and cancer of the colon, rectum and anus.
Routine screening evaluations are also available.
Dr. Thomas is trained to perform:
SURGERY, COLONOSCOPY
&
LAPAROSCOPIC PROCEDURES.
Appointments can be made by calling:
Now Also Accepting
Aetna ° Principal Health Care • AmeriHealth
1305 Savannah Road
i
Lewes Office Millsboro Office
644-2633 934-5001
232 Mitchell St. (Suite 201)
