| On the evening of December 10th, rescue alarm 4-1 was dispatched for the possible accident at 3690 Daisy Rd. P-45, E-43, and E-41 quickly responded with 14 volunteers.
While enroute dispatch upgraded the call to motor vehicle crash with entrapment, which added Battalion Chief 2, EMS 2, and Montgomery Ambulance 717.
Crews from Lisbon arrived to find a single vehicle vs. a large tree, with the vehicle coming to rest on it's passenger side with the lone male occupant trapped in the drivers seat.
With the car being unstable, the crew from Rescue Engine 43 stabilized the vehicle with the ResQjack stabilization system and chain tensioners. After stabilization was accomplished, the crews began the process of gaining access to the patient. Rescue crews cut the A, B,and C posts, then flapped the roof to the ground. After the roof was flapped, crews verified that the patients lower extremities were not entangled, and lowered the patient onto a backboard and cot.
A special note should be made about the car that was involved in this crash. The car was a Subaru Impreza, which is built to withstand severe impacts such as this. The same safety systems that protect the occupants from harm also hinder the rescuers ability to gain access into the passenger compartment. The Subaru line of vehicles have B posts which are made from layering steel to add strength and also have a round bar in the center with a solid Boron rod in the center of the round bar. Boron is a metal that is very difficult to cut. As hydraulic cutters close onto this type of B post, the layered metal crushes together making it even stronger. The hydraulic tools which rescuers have used for many years can now only dent this type of metal.
The Chief of LVFC along with his junior officers had recognized a growing problem with the auto manufacturers building cars with materials that our hydrauilc rescue tools were not able to cut. The officers learned of a brand of hydraulic rescue tools that had the capability to cut the newer exotic metals in the Subarus and other vehicles. After testing these tools head to head with other brands, the Chief recommended the purchase of the RESQTEC G 6 cutter. Had the LVFC not purchased this tool, it would have taken quite a while longer to extricate this patient, taking time from his Golden Hour.
It is progressive thinking and planning that keep us, as rescuers, ahead of the curve, and allow us to provide the best service available to the citizens in our community that we protect. Although the officers of the LVFC did the research and testing, we could not continue to make upgrades to our fire and rescue equipment if it was not for the tremendous support that we receive from the citizens that we protect. These new hydraulic tools were purchased with the help of donations that we receive from our community members throughout the year.
The members of the LVFC wish to thank our community for allowing us the opportunity to provide them the best fire and rescue services possible. |
