Spring 2007 Pump Outs

April 19, 2008 Motor Vehicle Accident

On April 19, 2008 the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department had a very busy, long day. While many people were out enjoying the nice spring weather, the members of the MVFD were out working hard throughout the day. The first call was a mutual aide call to assist the Watertown Volunteer Fire Department with a large brush fire they were working. Engine 3 responded and remained at Watertown's Fire Headquarters. During the time they were stationed there, they responded to a small brushfire which was easily extinguished. Approximately 1 hour after having been released, Engine 1 responded to a reported go-cart fire. Chief Perrotti arrived on scene quickly and determined that the fire was out, and Engine 1 returned.

The third call of the day was a major incident. Again, approximately 1 hour following the last call at 3:45 pm, a tone was sent out by Middlebury for a motor vehicle accident on Southford Road at across from the truck museum. Northwest Public Safety sent out their tone stating that the call was a Motor Vehicle Accident, car off the road, with possible extrication and possible fire. Chief Perrotti again responded, along with Rescue 1, Engine 3, Engine 4, and FD-11. Upon arrival Chief Perrotti relayed that the victim had self extricated, and there was no fire. All units continued the response, except for Engine 3 which was ordered to return.

Rescue 1 and FD-11 arrived simultaneously and began patient care. The patient was quickly assessed and placed on a backboard. The crews worked hard to carry the victim up the steep embankment back up to the road, the ground was very loose from a lack of rain and there was a great deal of brush to contend with as well. The patient was loaded onto FD-11 and transported to the hospital. Engine 4's crew was ordered to pull an 1 3/4" line to provide cover due to the possibility of a ruptured fuel tank. Additionally, a second accident occurred a few hundred feet up the road as a result of the first accident. There were minor injuries and the victims were transported to the hospital via Campion Ambulance

The truck was wet down as a precaution and removed via a tow truck company. The removal proved to be difficult due to the embankment, the presence of trees, and the remaining wire guard rails. The MVFD assisted by removing the wire from the posts and removing one of the posts to remove the truck. Some of the safety concerns that were confronted by the MVFD were the traffic, the embankment, the risk of the fuel tank rupturing, and the high temperature. Water was provided to firefighters from a car that was passing by, and by a MVFD firefighter. Due to the long duration of the call, proper hydration and relief was critical in a successful completion of the call.

A view of the pickup truck down the embankment from the road. The truck was down approximately 10-15 feet, with a steep hill.

The front of the truck. The patient was able to self extricate out the passenger side window. The truck collided with the large tree on the right of the picture.

The truck down the ditch. The vehicle hit with sufficient force to dislodge the truck bed from the frame, and bend the frame severely as well.

The undercarriage of the truck, note the heavy frame damage and the fuel tank.

A shot of the interior of the truck from the back window. There is some damage to the steering wheel, and sufficient force was applied to the truck to dislodge many of the interior components of the truck such as the radio.

Firefighter Ed Cavallero discusses the situation with MRT Tom Proulx at the back of FD-11.

From left to right: Firefighter Ed Cavallero, Police Officer Al Cronin, and Driver/Firefighter Brian Proulx.

Another Campion Ambulance arriving on scene to transport the additional patients to the hospital from the second accident, directed by Chief Perrotti.

Firefighter Ed Nelson uses the 1 3/4" line to wetdown the underside of the truck as a precaution.

Firefighter Nelson standing by with the hose.

	A view of the pickup truck down the embankment from the road. The truck was down approximately 10-15 feet, with a steep hill.
	The front of the truck. The patient was able to self extricate out the passenger side window. The truck collided with the large tree on the right of the picture.

The truck down the ditch. The vehicle hit with sufficient force to dislodge the truck bed from the frame, and bend the frame severely as well.
The undercarriage of the truck, note the heavy frame damage and the fuel tank.

	A shot of the interior of the truck from the back window. There is some damage to the steering wheel, and sufficient force was applied to the truck to dislodge many of the interior components of the truck such as the radio.
	Firefighter Ed Cavallero discusses the situation with MRT Tom Proulx at the back of FD-11.

From left to right: Firefighter Ed Cavallero, Police Officer Al Cronin, and Driver/Firefighter Brian Proulx.
Another Campion Ambulance arriving on scene to transport the additional patients to the hospital from the second accident, directed by Chief Perrotti.

	Firefighter Ed Nelson uses the 1 3/4" line to wetdown the underside of the truck as a precaution.
	Firefighter Nelson standing by with the hose.