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Crash That Caused Bridge Collapse

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You are dispatched to a MVA with entrapment from falling concrete from a bridge that was struck during the acident.  You arrive to find what is in the pictures below.  What steps would you take and what would you do? 

 

The Atlanta Fire Department responded to this incident this morning.  Authorities say a 13-foot high truck was trying to clear the bridge, which is only 13 feet, 5 inches high, when the accident happened. FOX 5’s Darryl Carver reports the 10-wheel truck had a hydraulic lift attached to the back of it, and that’s what hit the bridge.

The impact caused a 25-foot section of the bridge, at least 12 inches thick, to collapse on the south side and onto the truck, trapping the driver. Firefighters say it took nearly an hour to remove the driver from the smashed truck.

Read more at Fox 5 Altlanta’s story Driver Charged in Crash That Caused Bridge Collapse

The picture below is from Georgia Fire-Rescue who has sold and delivered many of the new sets of Holmatro Tools recently to the Atlanta Fire Department.   If you don’t follow Georgia Fire-Rescue on Facebook you should.  Tons of useful information is posted by them everyday on Facebook.

Pat on the back for successful rescue of two occupants trapped in vehicles after partial bridge collapse. Holmatro rescue tools, Rescue 42 struts and more were used in the rescue operation. Atlanta will soon receive their Paratech US&R Rescue Srtut Kit that will enhance their capabilites for these type of serious incidents.

Posted by on June 28, 2011 • Filed under: extrication, special-operations • Tagged: , ,

Pipe bombs found after LA. man wrecks pickup truck

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 So the title reads “Pipe bombs found after LA. man wrecks pickup truck”.  If this caught your attention read further into the story.  Here are a few facts that we should all consider:

  • When a pickup truck crashed in southeastern Louisiana, authorities made a surprising discovery: 10 pipe bombs.
  • As emergency crews were trying to right the truck, they noticed the devices.
  • Nine of the bombs were made with plastic pipe and one was made with galvanized metal pipe.

So this guy had 10 pipe bombs in his truck.  The pipes were discovered by “emergency crews” who were trying to right the truck.  I think scene size up and safety can be taken to a whole new level.  I would be interested to find out if the pipe bombs were in a bag or container that was thrown from the truck when it rolled over.  How many times have you helped the wrecker driver pick up personal property that was scattered when a vehicle rolled?  I’m sure this is an isolated case, but it can happen anywhere so stay safe out there and be prepared for the unexpected!

Source: Associated Press

Posted by on June 28, 2011 • Filed under: extrication, special-operations • Tagged: , , , , ,

Holmatro Rescue Support Bag

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Many of us have bunker pants full of personal tools we on everything from a vehicle extrication to removing the access panel on a RTU to verify it is just a belt burning that set off the duct detector.  How many times do you pull out every tool except the one you need? Well, Holmatro in keeping with developing new and useful tools has created the “Rescue Support Bag”.  The bag has all the tools pictured and listed below.  Hopefully, once a very loyal BoronExtrication.com follower – Yorman J. Mari Peraza – gets his bag of goodies from Holmatro;  I will see if I can strong arm a product review out of him to follow up this post.  In the mean time, check out the pictures and let me know your thoughts. How would you use this bag and tools? Also, how would you secure to yourself, or would leave it in your locker and grab when you needed it?  The bag comes with a fully adjustable waist and thigh straps that are easily secured by a 3-point click buckle. 

Last question for you, want would be the maxium you would pay this collection of tools?  Carl DeVer Avery posted on Facebook that he wonders “what the cost is versus making you own?” would be.  Great question!

Rescue Support Bag

1. Mini LED torch
2. Hook tool
3. Fork tool
4. Multi-cutter
5. Tyre deflator
6. Marker pen
7. Seatbelt cutter
8. Window punch
9. Flexible steel rule

Modern vehicles present rescuers with many challenges. In order to perform a safe and timely extrication, using the proper assist tools is just as important as working with the right hydraulic rescue equipment. However, these assist tools are often overlooked and misplaced at the scene of a rescue. The Rescue Support bag from Holmatro solves this problem: From now on your assist tools are there when you need them, ready for use in one place.

The Holmatro Rescue Support Bag Brochure is also available.

Posted by on June 27, 2011 • Filed under: extrication, special-operations • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Help with a Survey

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A lieutenant at my fire department is currently in the School of Fire Staff and Command at a Michigan University. He asked me to post a survey that will be used in a research for paper. The survey is quick and easy. The title of the paper will be “Developing tomorrow’s leaders today. A succession plan from buddy to boss.”

Click here to take survey

Posted by on June 23, 2011 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, extrication, funding-staffing • Tagged:

Emergency Response Guides

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Make sure you check out all the Emergency Response Guides (ERG) that are available on this site. Just click the “Emergency Response Guides” tab at the top. The 2012 ERGs should start being released from the automakers anytime and as soon as the documents are available there will be a link available for you to download the pdf files.

Many automakers spare no expense in developing their ERGs. Automakers like Mercedes and Volvo use Moditech Rescue Solutions makers of the Crash Recovery System. Take advantage of this free training opportunity to learn more about different vehicle construction and safety features before you are on scene of a MVA.

Posted by on June 23, 2011 • Filed under: extrication, special-operations • Tagged: , , , ,

Rapid Access Tool (RAT); Easy Access to Armored Vehicles?

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I found a company on the internet called the Nathan Group that makes the Rapid Access Tool kit. The kit comes in two sizes, Tactical Operator Kit and First Responder Kit. Take a look at their video and tell me want you think. If the vehicles in the video were cribbed how stable would the vehicles remain when the Rapid Access Tool kit is used?

Just remember, as trained first responders we can be held liable if a vehicle is not stabilized before the patient(s) are extricated.  That’s one point Ron Moore from Firehouse.com stresses religiously during his presentations and training.  So view this video and product as a tool that may not apply to fire service extrication in its’ current configuration.  However, the company could refine the kit to meet our needs.

The First Responder Kit is organized in the smallest possible hard case and allows the user to quickly and easily access the tools inside the case when needed. This case is designed to be transported in an emergency response vehicle. The First Responder Kit can be stowed in an equipment compartment of a rescue type vehicle such as a fire engine or heavy rescue squad. The First Responder Kit contains the primary rescue tools as well as additional spare, and support equipment.
First Responder Kit
The First Responder Kit includes the following equipment:
(1) each Pelican 1560 case with customized foam insert to protect the contents exterior dimensions 22.06”x 17.93”x 10.43” (52 x 45.5 x 26.5 cm)
(1) each Heavy duty 36 volt cordless drill with 36 volt lithium ion battery attached
(1) each Spare 36 volt lithium ion battery pack
(2) each Recovery strap (30’ X 3”) with double stitched reinforced loops at each end
(2) each Specialty drill bit (1” X 10”)
(3) each Rapid Access Tool (R.A.T.) with an attached gated hook
(1) each AC battery charger for the two 36 volt lithium ion batteries
(1) each Drilling depth guide rod
(1) each Assorted manuals and warranty papers

Posted by on June 20, 2011 • Filed under: extrication, fire-rescue-topics, rescues, special-operations • Tagged: , , , ,

Extendo Ram versus Telescopic Ram

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A quick video that shows the advantage of theExtendo Ram versus Telescopic Ram.  Your thoughts?

The Extendo ram XR 4360 is a unique, innovative Holmatro concept combining manual and hydraulic extension. This tool saves you valuable time, bridging gaps quicker and with more precision than ever before! You simply pull it out and start spreading. This means you can use its hydraulic spreading force almost immediately, which is 10 t at every length. 

Posted by on June 16, 2011 • Filed under: extrication, special-operations • Tagged: , , ,