Story by Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Tatro
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 wellbeing of our people and the communities it is a part of. Safety is paramount
and no one is more concerned about the safety of our communities than the
VTANG.
