Lower Swatara Fire Department

Donate

Facebook

Previous Years Call Totals
2009 560
2010 565
2011 813
2012 538
2013 520
2014 557
2015 629
2016 514
2017 594
2018 532
2019 554
2020 469
2021 494
2022 522
2023 684

2024 Incidents
Jan 67
Feb 48
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total 115

Web Counters
Website Visitors
Since
May 12, 2016
1,381,995
Visitors Today
Mar 28, 2024
210

Lower Swatara Fire Department

Lower Swatara Fire Department
Busy Week of Accidents
Email Print RSS Facebook Twitter RSS

By Assistant Chief Kevin Zimmerman
May 28, 2017

On Wednesday 5/24/2017 at 19:15 hours, Company 59 and Rescue 49 were dispatched to the ramp from PA-283 East to I-283 North for a single vehicle rollover crash reported to be with entrapment. Chief 59-1 and Rescue 59 arrived to find a single vehicle accident with one person confined in the vehicle. The passenger car had rolled multiple times, coming to rest on its wheels, but jamming the driver's door, preventing the patient from exiting the vehicle. The crew from Rescue 59 stabilized the vehicle and removed the rear driver-side door to allow the patient to be extricated. Rescue 49 arrived, deployed a hose line for protection, and assist Company 59 crews with the extrication. Crews assisted EMS with packaging the patient and the tow company with debris removal prior to clearing.

On Thursday 5/25/2017 at 23:00 hours, Company 59 was dispatched to the intersection of Eisenhower Blvd. and Fulling Mill Rd. for a reported accident with injuries. Chief 59-2 arrived to find a two vehicle accident and established the command. As Chief 59 and Chief 59-1 arrived and patient care was initiated, it was determined that the driver of one of the vehicles had minor injuries and was also confined to the vehicle. As Engine 59-1 and Rescue 59 arrived, both vehicles were stabilized and the driver's door was removed on the vehicle with confinement, allowing the patient to exit the vehicle and be evaluated by EMS. Company 59 personnel cleared once all patients had been turned over to EMS and the vehicles had been removed.

On Saturday 5/27/2017 at 22:48 hours, Company 59 and Rescue 49 were dispatched to the intersection of Eisenhower Blvd. and PA-283 for a reported vehicle accident with entrapment. Initial reports were of a vehicle overturned with a patient under the vehicle. Upon going en route, Chief 59-2 received an updated report from Dauphin County Communications that there was no entrapment and everyone was out of the vehicle. Based on the report, Chief 59-2 cancelled the second rescue. Chief 59-1 arrived to find a single vehicle on its roof in the Wendy's parking lot. Moments after, Chief 59-2 arrived and assumed command. Life Lion EMS arrived shortly after the two chiefs and began treating the 2 patients for minor injuries. With all occupants out of the vehicle and minimal hazards, Chief 59-2 reduced Rescue 59's response to class 3 (non-emergency) and cancelled Engine 59-1. Crews remained on scene until the tow company arrived and removed the vehicle.

Finally, on 5/28/2017 at 14:30 hours, Rescue and Engine 59 were dispatched to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Eastbound off-ramp at the Highspire Interchange for a reported accident with entrapment. Dauphin County Communications advised of a tractor trailer overturned onto a SUV, pinning the SUV against the guardrail with 2 occupants trapped inside. Upon going responding, Rescue 59 was advised by Dauphin County Communications that they were receiving several calls reporting the same. Chief 59-1 arrived, confirmed the report of a tractor trailer partially on top of a SUV pinned against the guardrail with 2 patients confined in the SUV, and established command. Complicating matters, the truck was hauling bottles of cooking oil which had spilled as the truck overturned. Rescue 59 arrived and Chief 59-2 was assigned to take operations. While the crew from Rescue 59 stabilized the vehicle and deployed equipment in preparation for the extrication, a plan was developed by Captain 59-1 and Chief 59-2. As Engine Companies from 55 and 41 arrived, additional equipment was deployed and a hand line was stretched for protection. It was ultimately determined that the best course of action would be to cut the gaurdrail away from the vehicle, allowing access to the passenger side. Rescue 59's crew utilized a rotary (K-12) saw to cut away a section of the guardrail, then opened the rear passenger door extricating one patient. Crews then laid the front passenger seat back and removed the headrest to extricate the second patient. With all patients extricated, Command placed the additional responding units from York County in service.
Crews remained on the scene, assisting with clean-up, until being released by command. This was an unusual accident that required some out-of-the box thinking. Great job by all companies involved.

Units: Rescue 59, Engine 59-1, Utility 59, Chief 59, Chief 59-1, Chief 59-2 Life Lion EMS Lower Swatara Twp PD Pennsylvania State Police PA Turnpike Maintenance
 
Mutual Aid: Rescue 49, Engine 55-1, Engine 55, Engine 41
 
Website Designed and Hosted By: Content Proudly Maintained By: Contact Info:
Firehouse Solutions
www.FirehouseSolutions.com
Lower Swatara Fire Department
1350 Fulling Mill Road
Middletown, PA 17057
Emergency Dial 911
Non-Emergency: 717-986-9059
Station Fax: 717-986-9559
E-mail: info@lowerswatarafire.com
Copyright © 2024 Firehouse Solutions (A Service of Technology Reflections, Inc.)