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…
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.
Route 202 & Brakeshoe Pl Entrapment
On Monday (Sept. 18th), MFD Co’s 1 & 2 were dispatched to the intersection of Route 202 and Brakeshoe Pl for the reported MVA with entrapment.
Another Tractor Trailer Roll Over
Today, MFD Co’s 1 & 2 were dispatched to Route 17 NB at Mountainside for the reported tractor trailer rollover.
Route 17 South Entrapment
This morning, Co1 Firefighters responded to Route 17 South for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment. Upon arrival, our team of highly trained firefighters found that the one passenger was entrapped inside, our team carefully removed the passenger side door which enabled them to exit. Following the extrication, both individuals were expertly treated by the competent medical staff from Mahwah EMS and then transported to a nearby medical facility for further evaluation and care. picture was taken after both individuals were transported off of the scene
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