Photos from the rescue training class on Sunday 3/2/2014. Members took part in a Montgomery County Fire Academy Class that took place at Station 6. In the photos the crew learns the ins and outs of vehicle stabilization and cribbing, an important first step in any vehicle-rescue scenario. Once the vehicle is stabilized the extrication of the patient can be successfully carried out. Crews learn how to position cribbing on vehicles that aren’t always on solidly on their wheels. Firefighters who successfully complete the course are certified in vehicle rescue on a national standard. Photos by Robert Wilmot, Jr.
9400 Block Ridge Pike Head-On Collision
At approximately 11PM on October 10, 2013, Flourtown Fire Company and Barren Hill Fire Company were dispatched for a two vehicle accident in the area of 9400 Ridge Pike. The head-on collision of two sedans required multiple rescue tool crews, cribbing, and multiple hose lines for the protection of the rescue crews from Rescue 29 and Squad 6. The entire roof of one of the vehicles needed to be removed to extricate the driver, the other required the door to be popped open. A helicopter was put on standby to transport a victim. Multiple ambulances were called to the scene, including Medic 5 from Philadelphia Fire Department because of the proximity to the city border. Traffic was shut down by Spring Mill, Barren Hill and Flourtown Fire Police units while the rescues and clean-up took place.
Task Force Drill – Train Accident – November 2011
The Colonial Regional Technical Rescue Task Force, of which Flourtown Fire Company is a participating member, held a Department of Homeland Security authorized drill on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather, the companies gathered at Spring Mill Fire Company and were soon dispatched in an order as they would be in a real emergency to a local train crossing and station. The scenario involved a commuter train striking a vehicle, and a mass causality and injured situation. There was also a separate law enforcement element that involved a terrorist bomb scenario, but that was held on a separate car a bit further down the tracks from the fire companies’ drill.
Flourtown personnel, Assistant Chief Chris Buckley, Captain Chris Manning, Leitenant John Redington,and firefighters: Dean Seltzer, Kevin Davis, Tim Ernst, Tyler Buckley, and Sal Santangelo all took part in stabilizing victims and extricating them from the train and the severely-damaged vehicle. Chief George Wilmot and his daughter, Lexi Wilmot were part of the scenario’s observation team and “victim” volunteers. Photos by Bob Wilmot, Jr.
Vehicle Rescue – SUV into a Building – 9/15/2011
Flourtown Fire Company and Wyndmoor Hose Company were dispatched at approximately 3:30PM to reports of a car crash into a building around 613 Bethlehem Pike in Erdenheim. Multiple callers reported two individuals trapped in the vehicle and extensive damage to the building. Squad 6 and Engine 6 responded along with Rescue 82. Stabilization of the vehicle and patients was followed by a decision to cut and flap the entire roof of the vehicle so extrication of the driver who was laying on the drivers door and a passenger could take place. Following extrication, and removal of the vehicle by Flourtown Texaco, lumber from Rittenhouse Lumber across the street was used to stabilize the building which had a large portion of its street facing wall destroyed in the crash.
Vehicle Accident – 09/05/2011
Squad 6 and Engine 6 responded to a three car vehicle accident on Skippack Pike (Route 73) just past Joshua Road on Monday, September 5, 2011. The driver of a white SUV, complaining of having difficulty breathing, was extricated from the vehicle. Squad 6 popped the driver’s door and the patient was removed. All others involved in the accident were out of the vehicles. Utility 6 along with Traffic 29 handled closing down Route 73 until the accident scene could be cleared. Rescue 29 also responded and assisted Flourtown Fire Company on the scene.
Photo by Bob Wilmot, Jr.