During a snowstorm on Monday, Feb. 9, Beacon Hose received a call for a motor vehicle accident on Route 8 South between exits 24-25. En route, C-Med updated that the patient was possibly not injured and the vehicle was down the embankment on the riverbank.
Units arrived on scene to find a vehicle down the embankment. Naugatuck Fire Department was called for mutual aid in the event more resources were needed. Patient contact was first initiated by Firefighter Matt Testani and it was determined the patient was not injured. Naugatuck mutual aid was cancelled by command and Beacon Hose units handled the rope rescue. Rescue 4 was used as an anchor point and a three-to-one haul system was constructed along with a belay line.
The patient was packaged by firefighters Testani and Tim Hanks. The topside crew consisted of Asst. Chief Brian DeGeorge, Captain Howie Leeper and firefighters Dan DeGeorge, Andy Leeper, John Weid, Dan Weinberg and Tom O’Connell. This crew constructed the haul system and pulled the victim to safety. The patient was turned over to the EMS crew of Gretchen Carlson and Peter Monti. The patient was evaluated and refused treatment. The patient was brought to Beacon Hose and enjoyed a cup of coffee while conversing with the members that performed the rescue.
The time of the call was 12:22 p.m. The first unit was on scene on 12:26 p.m., and the patient was packaged and hauled topside in 11 minutes. This was an awesome response and another example of the knowledge, skills and abilities of Beacon Hose members — and that training pays off!
Great job by all, from a very proud Chief Jim Trzaski.
(For more photos of the incident, visit our Facebook page here.)