July 20, 2006

Story by: Deputy Chief Steve Cole Jr.

At 1435 hours Avondale Fire & EMS, West Grove Fire Co. for Rescue 22, and Medic 94 was dispatched to an auto accident with entrapment on Route 41 in the Chatham section of London Grove Township. Deputy 23 (Cole Jr.) went responding and received reports from the Chester County Fire Board of two vehicles head on, with two subjects trapped. With this report a second BLS unit from Station 22 was added and Skycare was placed on stand-by. Deputy 23 arrived on scene at 1438 hours confirming two vehicles head on, with one subject heavily trapped. The second trapped patient was already out of the vehicle. Deputy 23 established Route 41 command, and added the Fire Police Task Force to close Route 41 at Routes 1 and 841. Ambulance 23 arrived on scene and began patient care. Skycare was requested to the scene. Squad 12 (22-20) was assigned the Landing Zone. Engine 23-1 with Chief 23 (Decker) arrived on scene, Chief 23 handled rescue operations, and the engine crew began extricating the patient. As Rescue 22 arrived the doors were already removed and the removal of the roof was in progress. Rescue 22's crew assisted with the balance of the roof removal. Crews then began rolling the dash. With the extrication complete, the patient was packaged and transported to the LZ for Skycare. Skycare then transported the patient to Christiana Hospital. Ambulance 22-3 also transported a patient to JRH for minor injuries for the other automobile. Crews from Rescue 36 assisted with patient transport to Skycare, and equipment clean up while being AOS for 22, 23 and 36 districts.

Special thanks to 94-60 for the photos.

Avondale Units- Engine 23-1, Ambulance, Squad, & Traffic 23.

Mutual Aid- Rescue & Squad 22, Ambulance 22-3, Squad 12, Rescue 36, Medics 94-1, 94-2 & 94-60, Skycare 1, PSPA, Fire Police Task Force (Stations: 12,22,23,24,25,27 with the Chief, & 36)

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