Today (Sept. 11th), at roughly 3:30 in the afternoon, MFD Co’s 1, 2 & 4 were dispatched to Interstate 287 northbound (@ MM64) for the reported rolled over truck on fire and possible entrapment.
Mahwah PD units arrived on scene and reported no fire but that the driver was still in the cab of the dump truck. They immediately began patient care as fire units started arriving.
With Squad 2 providing protection with a handline, the firefighters from Rescue 1 and Engine 117 went to work stabilizing the dump truck and extricating the driver.
After approximately 30 minutes of work, the driver was freed from the wreckage and turned over to Mahwah EMS.
There’s an old saying “when it rains, it pours” and that couldn’t have been more literal for this accident.
While firefighters worked to free the driver, nearly 3″ of rain fell on them in a veritable deluge from the severe thunderstorm overhead. Not only did this significantly hamper rescue efforts through mud and rushing water, but the sheer volume and intensity of rain made even simple voice communications difficult.
Thankfully, Mahwah firefighters have been in this exact scenario before, in nearly that exact spot on I-287.
Hats off to all the responders that assisted today. While it seems like the Rescue company is the “star” of the show for entrapments, it really takes a huge team to pull it off.
And a majority of that team comes from the other MFD units and agencies that respond with us.
Well done by all.
Here are a few other recent extrications…
Bus Accident
Wednesday morning, Fire Company 1, EMS, and Police responded to Ramapo Valley Road and Franklin Turnpike for a reported bus accident with entrapment involving the bridge overpass. Upon arrival, crews discovered the bus had struck the bridge with only the driver on board. While there was no technical entrapment, the driver required assistance exiting the damaged vehicle. Company 1 firefighters assisted the driver safely out of the bus and brought them over to Mahwah EMS who evaluated them and brought them to an area hospital for treatment.
287 MVA
At approximately 7:45am yesterday morning, Fire Companies 1 and 2, along with Mahwah EMS and Police responded to Route 287 near the flyover for a reported rollover with entrapment. Upon arrival, crews discovered the driver had self-extricated prior to FD arrival. Rescue 1’s crew secured and stabilized the vehicle while conducting a thorough check to confirm there were no additional occupants. The patient was treated by Mahwah EMS And transported to a local hospital. All units returned to quarters within 30 minutes.
287 MVA
Last night Rescue Company 1 responded to 287 South for a reported motor vehicle accident with entrapment. Upon arrival, the crew from Rescue 1 found a 2 car accident with no entrapment. Firefighters assisted Mahwah EMS with removing a patient from the vehicle who was transported to a local hospital. Units were back in quarters in approximately 30 minutes.
Car on a ledge
Yesterday afternoon, Rescue Company 1 along with Fire Companies 2 were dispatched to Darlington Avenue for a reported vehicle accident with entrapment. Upon arrival, first due units discovered a vehicle had driven over a retaining wall and was suspended approximately 6 feet in the air with the occupant still inside. Rescue 1 and Rescue Engine 117’s crews immediately began stabilization operations using cribbing and struts to secure the vehicle. After successfully stabilizing the vehicle, the occupant was able to safely exit with assistance from firefighters. The patient was then evaluated by Mahwah EMS on scene. All units operated for approximately 45 minutes before returning to quarters.
MVA Rollover
This morning at approximately 4:30am Company 1 was added to an assignment on Route 17 North for an MVA rollover with a vehicle on fire. Upon arrival, it was determined that all occupants were out of the vehicles and were tended to by Mahwah EMS. Rescue Engine 117 and Engine 115 responded and operated for about 1 hour securing the vehicles and mitigating the fluid spill.
New Hurst Extrication Tools
Last week, Rescue Company 1 took delivery of our new Hurst extrication tools, also known as the Jaws of Life. After researching and developing a list of tools needed, these tools along with many others were purchased in conjunction with our new Heavy Rescue Truck, which will be delivered later this year. Company 1 would like to thank the Township Council for realizing the importance and granting the funds to make this purchase, which will provide us with the best equipment available to serve our residents. Stay tuned for future posts as more of the equipment gets delivered!
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