| |
|
Welcome to Our Monthly
Rescue Story
 Each month we plan to bring you a new Rescue Story. We encourage you
and your department to submit a rescue experience in story form. If your
story is selected, it will reach an international audience. Our goal is
to encourage discussions about rescuer safety and rescue techniques in the
international community with each Rescue Story we publish. The Rules for Submissions are straightforward. We encourage
you to apply and gain the fame and recognition you deserve for a rescue
job well done.
You can also read previous stories.
Just follow these links!
September 1997
October 1997
November 1997
"Trench Collapse in
the
Borough of Little Silver"
by Firefighter Paul "Breezy" Wind
of Fort Monmouth Fire & Emergency Services
On February 25th, 1998 at 1418 hours, the Fort Monmouth Fire & Emergency
Services was dispatched on a mutual aid assignment, for a trench collapse
on Hance Roadin the Borough of Little Silver. Fort Monmouth' s Technical
Rescue Team (Ladder 1 & Rescue l) responded under the supervision of
Chief John C Erichsen and Deputy Chief Steve Roszkowski. Upon arrival, the
rescue team gained information from the Incident Commander, Chief James
Jiminaro (Little Silver Fire Department), and obtained patient information
from Little Silver First Aid Squad and MONOC Paramedics. The rescue team
then became a joint endeavor of the Little Silver Fire Department and Little
Silver First Aid Squad, Little Silver Police Department, Fair Haven First
Aid Squad, MONOC Paramedics, NJ State Police North Star (flight medics),
and Fort Monmouth Fire & Emergency Services. The Fort Monmouth and Little
Silver Rescue Team performed an immediate size up followed by a safety check.
The rescue teams first priority was to request all personnel be removed
from the trench. The rescue team also requested Little Silver Patrolman
Robert Frank to stop his endeavor to rescue the patient to allow the technical
rescue team to perform shoring and stabilization of the trench. The rescue
team set ground pads around the working side of the trench and had co-workers
of the trapped patient begin moving the spoil pile further back from the
collapse area. Observation at this time was a five foot section of the trench
wall collapsed inward on to the worker (known as a shear wall collapse).
The rescue team also took into consideration the down time of the victim
as well as the instability of the collapsed area. The team requested MONOC
to establish an open line with the ER Physicians (concerns of crushing shock
syndrome) to keep the vital information of the patient in reach of the highest
medical authority. Fort Monmouth's Rescue Team then requested on scene lumber
to be assembled to the specifications requested as such (2x4's to be assembled
into 4x4's and 3\4" plywood assembled into 1 1/2" sheets, ripped
down to specified sizes). The resource of lumber was at an abundance do
to the location of the incident (new townhouse development under construction).
Once the rescue team set the panels and the cross braces for trench safety,
Firefighter William Donahue of the Fort Monmouth Fire & Emergency Services
then entered the collapse area and began excavating soil from the patient
with the use of small shovels and 5 gallon buckets.
The patient at this time was trapped at his waist with approximately
3 to 4 feet of soil still entrapping him. He was stabilized with IV fluids,
high flow oxygen, and monitored by paramedics and EMT's. The rescue team
then began the operation of establishing a high anchor point for the removal
of the patient. The point to be used was Fort Monmouth's Ladder 1 (Pierce
100ft. Aerial ladder) and a 4:1 rescue mate. At this time, Firefighter Paul
Wind also of Fort Monmouth's Fire & Emergency Services entered the collapse
area to begin patient stabilization through the use of a short Skippy Board.
Rescue Personnel outside the collapse also assisted by lowering the equipment
into the collapse area to Firefighters Wind & Donahue. Once the patient
was stabilized on the Skippy Board, Firefighter Wind exited the collapse
area. Rescue personnel then began the process of hauling the patient out
of the collapsed area and transferring him over to a long board and stretcher.
NJ State Police North Star (flight medics) also assisted in the hauling
of the victim and took patient care over once he was removed from the hauling
line. Patient was flown to Jersey Shore Trauma Center in Neptune, NJ. Rescue
personnel then secured the scene for investigators.
This rescue was successful operation through team work of multiple organizations
from multiple jurisdictions working for one common goal, "The Patient".
The entire Urban H.A.R.T. staff would like to thank Firefighter
Paul Wind and the Fort Monmouth Fire & Emergency Services for sending
in their story. If you or your department has a story you would like to
share please E-mail it to us. We'll see you next month!
Information or Questions:
Firefighter Paul "Breezy" Wind
Fort Monmouth Fire & Emergency Services
Fire HQ's, Bldg. 282
Fort Monmouth, NJ 07703
(732) 532-3495
(732) 532-5187 Fax
E-mail any additional comments to: [email protected].
Thank you for your reply.
BACK TO TOP OF PAGE |
