Where is @rusnivek?

Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

Deep frying a turkey! #DFT2019

Posted on November 28, 2019 by rusnivek

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Today, I could die…because I am deep frying a turkey!

Yeah yeah, I know there are some dangers with deep frying a turkey. So let’s give this a whirl. Esp keeping in mind that we will NOT be deep frying a frozen turkey.

Yeah, I saw a few redic YouTube videos.

I don’t want to be that kind of famous.

I decided to break out my turnout gear as some personal protective gear because it’s kinda hard to predict a vat of bubbling oil.

I also bought peanut oil and ONLY peanut oil for the fryer.

Not going to lie, starting the fryer, I got excited.

As I dunked the turkey in, I dropped it in very slowly. If you decide to make a three point dunk, your turkey will likely splash all the super hot peanut oil all over the place, and hot oil isn’t good for your Thanksgiving look.

And a few options if things get too hot thanks to my handy halligan tool.

Yep, one of my favorite tools. (The other favorite tool is the Talon hook). Forcible entry AND turkey prep FTW!

Our turkey turned out awesome so here’s some easy tips that you can use to ensure your family’s safety when deep frying a turkey.

Tip-1: Dunk your turkey in and out slooooooooooly. Allowed less splashing and spillage.

Tip-2: Use 100% real peanut oil for deep frying. If you have a blend, the smoke point of the oil mixture may change. Translated, it could go kaboom at various temperatures. Pure oil allows for a stable and predictable and higher smoke point (than other commonly used oils).

Tip-3: Use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for turkey safety. No matter the situation, always be prepared – including fire gloves!

Tip-4: I had my favorite halligan and charged hose line (water hose) – just in case things got out of hand.

Tip-5: Heed all safety warnings and watch plenty of YouTube videos because you should be 100% dedicated to this deep frying event. PAY ATTENTION!

Tip-6: Make sure you are a tad late for Thanksgiving turkey dinner time. Grand entrance AND everyone is TOTES hungry.

Tip-7: Thaw and dry your turkey dayzzzzzzzz before you drop it into the boiling hot peanut oil starting at 375.

Tip-8: Have a battle turkey buddy that can help you out with your 🦃 drying and frying tactics. Extra set of eyes and hands with gloves is a huge help. Additionally, huge bonus points if your battle turkey buddy is a board certified residency trained Emergency Medicine Physician and EMS Medical Director.

Follow these tips to ensure your deep fried turkey actions go well.

Successful #DFT2019 – Happy thanksgiving everyone.

We all have much to be thankful for this year.

@rusnivek

Deep frying my turkey – I’m gonna die #DFT2018

Posted on November 22, 2018 by rusnivek

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I’m about to die.

Glug glug glug – I measured it w/ water and turkey in the pot.

So it’s a calculated amount of peanut oil in there.

Just to be on the safe side, I’ll leave a little room for turkey expansion.

Maybe my camera puts on more pounds. HA!

OK, my propane tank is as far away as I can get it.

Don’t think I want an explosion.

Then, in case things go bad, I got some protective gear.

Awww yeah baby! Warm AND protected!

And maybe, if things go bad, I can Hong Kong Phooey kick it into the grass away from the building right?

Time to gear up!

Thinking back, this was probably a good idea to wear my turnout coat and gloves.

Yeah, I think Chicago has had a big fire before.

Yikes.

Buuuuuuuuuuut why does my turkey look like its on a cross?!?!?!??!?!?

But first, lemme take a selfie…

…for proof of life.

Fire is on. Waaaaaaaaaaaaay hot.

What? Did you say drop it like it’s hot?!?!

Awwwww yeah, time to get crazy-let’s drop this sucker in.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

HHOOLLEEEYYYYY MOOOOOOOLEEEYYYYY!

DDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAYYYUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Am I at the bottom yet?!?!!??! OMG! Why is this soooooo frickin hot!!!!!

Well, so far so good! I haven’t burned anything….yet.

I also took the time to clear away any brush and debris from the area. Also notice the brick non-wood sprinklered building next to me?

Additional information, I also had backup from a retired Fire Chief from the State of Ohio Fire Marshall’s Office right next to me. Despite a whole bunch of white helmets, it was definitely worth having a backup!

Did I have a backup plan? You know I did. First off, I would NOT have done this.

Second, if things got bad, I would have definitely called 9-1-1.

The last thing I need is my friends from CFD getting pissed. Tho, TBH, they would have made me fill out the NIFRS report.

And third, this was the backup plan.

Yeah, the IMT PSC and FEMA MCP comes out more often than you think.

So in the end, everything turned out great. Turkey was awesome and soooo delicious.

Few deep frying turkey tips for you:

Measure your peanut oil level (water + bird in pot)
A little less on the fill line with peanut oil is good
SLOWLY drop your bird in the oil
Use gloves and protective clothing as hot oil splashes everywhere
Test bird doneness via internal temperature (not time)
Have multiple fire extinguishers available
Have a rapid dump site available away from building
In case things go bad, have a cell phone to call 9-1-1 quickly

This year, our family invited a few new Navy family and friends over for dinner.

Glad to spend Thanksgiving with those who protect our freedoms 24-7.

We all have much to be thankful for this year.

@rusnivek

#PlanAhead for better food options in your emergency preparedness kit #NatlPrep

Posted on September 8, 2017 by rusnivek

Accounting and preparing your food for three days per person seems easy, but you’ll have to do better nutrition planning than just cans of vienna sausage and cup-o-noodles.

Make sure you PlanAhead for your favorite #MRE in your emergency preparedness kit otherwise you will have an unsavory disaster. #NatlPrep

MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) is a great resource for your kit. Plan accordingly as you should find the right flavor that meets your needs. There are various flavors now including (vegan, gluten free, vegetarian, etc…)

IMHO, hot sauce/sriracha is still critically important.

Choose wisely and improve your chances during a disaster.

For more tips, check out http://www.ready.gov

#PlanAhead for your emergency food supply!

@rusnivek

November includes the 2016 World Series too #GoTribe #RallyTogether #Windians

Posted on November 1, 2016 by rusnivek

October was great but a busy November is here!

First week, I’ll be supporting the Cleveland PIOs during the 2016 World Series. Later in the week, I’ll be in southern Ohio teaching ICS-400 in Belmont County (Ohio).

Second week will be a few social media classes in SE Georgia who are still in recovery operations from Hurricane Matthew.

Third week will be all Arizona.

And then the Fourth week will some Thanksgiving fun.

Who’s excited for Turkey in November? Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

And for tonight’s World Series Game-6 Cubs vs Indians: #GoTribe #RallyTogether #Windians

@rusnivek

Because the house isn’t on fire #DFT2015

Posted on November 26, 2015 by rusnivek

So here’s a recap of my deep fried turkey ordeal in 2015

Oil splashing is VERY real. I measured several times the fill rates with water, and we still have spillage. As you can see, the hazard is real and there is no room for error.

The overfill could have caught fire and ignited a gigantic fire ball.

Luckily, I took all precautions and things turned out great. Turnout gear and fire gloves – MANDATORY!

Birds all vary in size and no matter how many times you’ve done this before, you can never be too safe.

Gobble gobble

So what did we learn?

Plan for fire. Wear more than just shorts and flip flops. Boots, nomex everything!

Plan to be outdoors the whole time and never do it indoors.

Hazards are real and you could explode and catch fire.

Use pure peanut oil to allow for the highest smoke point. Do NOT use olive oil.

Peanut oil actually expires so please check your expiration dates on the peanut oil package.

Measure your oil level first with water before you start frying. Use a catch bin like this seafood basket to better handle your bird and increase your chance of NOT dropping bird and splashing molten hot oil on everyone.

Just like El Guapo, make sure you have a plethora of fire extinguishers around.

Do it on concrete.

Have some aerial ops going on to help document your work.

Take photos while frying. (skillz)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Glad I’m not dead or caught the house on fire.

Whew.
@rusnivek

Turkey frozen in carbonite? #DFT2015

Posted on November 25, 2015 by rusnivek

Since my turkey is thawed, I can start preparing it for the deep frying right?

Because if my turkey was still frozen (in carbonite), it would not properly deep fry.

^^^^^^See what I did there?

Hope my turkeys don’t explode…

@rusnivek

Can you thaw a frozen turkey with warm water? #DFT2015

Posted on November 25, 2015 by rusnivek

Did you thaw your turkey in warm water? If you did, this will happen.

Who did this?!?!!

I know.

@rusnivek

Turkey thawing temperatures and safe handling techniques #DFT2015

Posted on November 24, 2015 by rusnivek

To help thaw my turkey, I just might try this method.

Maybe I should get some gloves so I don’t cross contaminate everything.

But seriously, here’s a few tips to help keep your kitchen (and bathroom) clean as you are thawing your birds:

Wash your hands frequently.
Keep all dishes, plates, and kitchen utensils clean.
Use different platters for the raw and cooked turkey.
When thawing turkeys in the fridge, use a try or pan to catch the falling juices that may leak.

That sounds like a ton of stuff to remember.