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…
287 Entrapment
This afternoon, Rescue 1, Rescue Engine 117, along with Fire Companies 2, 4, EMS, and PD responded to 287 South for an MVA with entrapment. Upon arrival Rescue 1’s crew using the jaws of life swiftly removed the passenger door extricating the patient and turned them over to EMS. All units returned to quarters within an hour.
Busy Day For Rescue
Yesterday was a busy day for the Volunteer Firefighters of Rescue Co.1 At around 1pm, Rescue 1 was requested Mutual Aid by Suffern FD to Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Room to assist with removing a toy from a child’s tongue. Rescue 1 responded with a full crew and once on scene we utilized our Man vs. Machine kit alongside Suffern firefighters and ER doctors. After a short time, we were able to successfully remove the object from the child’s mouth. Later that evening Rescue 1, Rescue Engine 117, and Engine 115 responded to Avenue A for an MVA with entrapment. The patient who had been removed prior to our arrival was transported by Mahwah EMS to an area hospital.
East Mahwah Rd. Entrapment
Earlier this afternoon, Rescue Co.1 along with Fire Co.3, EMS, and Mahwah PD responded to East Mahwah Rd. for an overturned vehicle with entrapment. After arriving on scene, Rescue 1 and Rescue Engine 117’s crew immediately began to stabilize the vehicle and work to extricate the driver. A few minutes into the operation, Engine 115 also arrived to supply extra manpower if needed. After removing the windshield, the driver was assisted out of the vehicle by crews and placed in the care of EMS who transported them to an area hospital.
USR: Entrapment
At around 215 this afternoon, Rescue Co.1 was requested into Upper Saddle River as mutual aid for an entrapment. Initial reports from the scene were that a large tree and power lines had fallen onto a vehicle injuring and trapping the driver. Upon arrival, Rescue 1’s crew followed closely behind by Rescue Engine 117 immediately began to assist Upper Saddle River Fire Department with removing the tree in order to gain access to the patient. After assessing the condition of the vehicle and the patient’s injuries, Mahwah crews immediately began to extricate the driver, using both hydraulic and battery operated Hurst tools. After freeing the patient, our EMS colleagues began to treat the patient and transport them to an area hospital. Great job to the initial crews from USRFD on a difficult operation.
Elevator Rescue and Smoke Condition
This afternoon, Rescue 1 responded to a business in the center of town for an elevator rescue. The trapped party was swiftly removed from the elevator without issue. While clearing the scene, the crew from R-1 noticed that the fire alarms in the building were now going off. R-1 immediately began investigating while Engine 117 assembled a crew to respond. After investigating, crews found a smoke condition in the basement but no fire. Crews continued to search the premises and found some smoldering rags which were removed and extinguished. The building was ventilated by the crew of E-117 and all units cleared the scene.
Throwback Thursday: HAZMAT Extrication
Not your average extrication. On the morning of July 17 2007 Company 1 responded to Rt.17 North near the 17/287 split for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment. Rescue 1 arrived to find a tractor trailer with the driver heavily pinned. Due to the cargo containing hazardous materials, the members performed the extrication on air preventing any inhalation hazards.
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