Technical Rescue Incident in Clements
 
By Mechanicsville Volunteers
February 24, 2018
 

Just after 0600, Squad 5, and EMS Stations 59 and 19 we’re alerted to Budds Creek Road in the area of the Clements intersection for an MVA, reported vehicle into a residence. Chief 5 and Chief 5A arrived to find a tractor trailer into a house, with 3 subjects trapped. With that the assignment was upgraded bringing Rescue 2, Truck 1, Truck 7, and the Medic unit.

Squad 5, Squad 1, and Truck 1 arrived first, and began an effort to rapidly remove the trapped occupants, as well as size up the structure. Shortly after, Command (Chief 5) requested an additional Rescue Squad (7), NAS Collapse Unit 13, Charles Collapse Units, DC Special Operations team, and the GO Team. After determining that live power lines were laying on the semi truck, and the house was completely compromised, units came up with a plan for rescue to ensue after the power lines were secured.

Once the power was secured, crews began to stabilize the structure using Paratech Struts on load bearing walls, removing furniture and large objects in the structure, and demolitioning walls that had been compromised to place struts in their place. Crews worked meticuolusly for approxximately 45 minutes shoring up the residence. Once a path was created to the tractor trailer, the operator was able to self extricate and walk out to awaiting EMS crews.

One trapped occupant of the residence was rescued by breaching a wall to gain access to him. The second trapped occupant required some additional shoring, demolition, and removal of items in the structure to free the patient.

Rescue 2 operated until 0830 hours.

 
Units: Rescue 2, Chief 2B
 
Mutual Aid: Rescue Squads- 5, 1, 7 Truck Companies- 1, 7 Rescue Engine 1001 Engine 52 Collapse Units- 13, 1001, DC Special Ops Team Confined Space 1007 Maryland GO Team EMS Units- 59, 19, 29, SMALS