Vermont ANG firemen extract two people from car

Photo By Airman 1st Class Dana Alyce-Schwarz | U.S. Air Force Airmen of the 158th Fighter Wing Fire Department practices vertical lift rescue training. Fire department members regularly practice different rescue operations as part of their annual training requirements. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Dana Alyce-Schwarz)  

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT, UNITED STATES

09.10.2015

Story by Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Tatro 

158th Fighter Wing

The Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle accident with passengers trapped inside and in critical condition. A vehicle traveling westbound on Route 15 in Colchester struck a utility pole totaling the vehicle, leaving five passengers trapped inside and requiring extraction.

Colchester and St. Michael's Fire and Rescue were first to respond, but then called upon the VTANG Fire Department to assist in the extraction. There is a county-wide mutual aid in place, which is a system where officials arrive on scene and determine which surrounding agencies can aid in accidents that occur. The officials then notify dispatch and a country wide request is put out for the surround area. The VTANG Fire Department happened to be the closest agency with the proper tools and skills to assist in the accident.

The Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department is a highly trained task force when it comes to vehicle extrication and specialty rescue. The Firemen attend multiple schools and in-house training exercises to stay up-to-date with modern technology and scenarios. In order to keep their certifications current they train with live fire, hazardous materials, emergency medical procedures and more. Inoperable cars are brought on base as well to train on, so that firemen can tear them apart using hydraulic cutting tools to extract mock patients. The department is also the Burlington International Airport's Fire and Rescue team as well and cover the entire airport for commercial and military emergencies.

Staff Sgt. Paul Botting, Staff Sgt. Tim Franics and Fireman Nate Swasey responded to the crash after being notified by Colchester Fire and Rescue.

"When Colchester Fire and Rescue got onto the scene and realized it was an accident with a heavily entrapped patient, they know if they call us, that we have the special tools and knowledge to extricate the person out of the vehicle," said Botting.

Air Force firemen are trained in all aspects of fire and rescue response, but arriving on scene the Airmen knew that they were acting as an extraction team. They noticed the vehicle had severe impact damage and had struck utility poles. One of the utility poles had been broken on impact and was lying on the ground at this point.

"The force it takes to snap a utility pole is a lot, therefore we knew going in that there was going to be extensive damage on the vehicle," said Botting. "This was a very technical extrication. We had to make several cuts and spread points to untangle the car from her without causing anymore injury and being safe and efficient."

With the incredible effort of the VTANG Fire Department and the other agencies involved, five lives were saved Aug. 27, 2015. The Vermont Air National Guard's stringent safety standards will ensure the well being of our people and the communities it is apart of. Safety is paramount and no one is more concerned about the safety of our communities than the VTANG.

• Date Taken: 09.10.2015
• Date Posted: 09.10.2015 10:26
• Story ID: 175529
• Location: SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT, US