Vehicle Accident with Fatality

Interstate 40 -

On April 22, 2018 at 4:15 AM, Pinion Pine firefighters received and alarm for a vehicle vs semi accident near mile marker 62 on Interstate 40 which brought the response of Squad 51 from Fire Station 52 (fs52). Squad 51 arrived on scene to find a pickup truck under a semi trailer with heavy entanglement. Rescue 525 was dispatched for man power, further extrication equipment and lighting.

The paramedic on Squad 51 determined the single occupant of the pick up was deceased and a lengthy extrication was needed to extricate them. The driver of the semi truck was uninjured in the accident and refused medical care on scene. Fire crews were on scene for roughly four hours and one lane was closed. The cause of the accident is being investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. No firefighter injuries were reported.

Story by : Batt. Chief  Ron Hood

Photos by: Firefighter Tory Mortensen

Firefighters Respond to Person Trapped

Blake Ranch - 

On July 29th, 2015 at 11:58 AM, Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to the area of S Rease Rd cross of Hidden Valley Rd for a person trapped inside a trash truck. E523 arrived on scene roughly 20 minutes later to find a trash truck on the shoulder outside of a residence. Firefighters made contact with the patient who was laying down above the compactor unit of the trash truck with a dislocated right knee.

The patient stated the dumpster came off the lift into the compactor and was trying to correct the problem when he dislocated his knee and was unable to extricate himself from the compactor. It was immediately clear more man power would be needed so an additional unit was dispatched which brought the response of R525. Once AMR arrived on scene and provided the patient with much needed pain medication, the long task of getting the individual out of the truck began. Options were looked at and it was best determined to open the lift gate on the back of the vehicle and remove the patient on a back board over a fire ladder.

 

After roughly 15 minutes, the patient was safely on the ground at the rear of the vehicle where he was transported by ground to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries. The entire rescue took roughly 45 minutes to perform.

Photos by: Battalion Chief Danny Zandvliet, Pinion Pine Fire District
Story by: Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Not Your Average Vehicle Accident

Interstate 40 -

On June 18, 2015 at 00:45 am, E523 was dispatched to mile marker 83 westbound on Interstate 40 for an unknown injury rollover accident. While responding, additional information was received that DPS was on scene, unsure if occupants were trapped at which time AMR launched a helicopter. E523 and AMR arrived on scene together and began assessing the situation. Crews had a SUV on its roof on the shoulder with extremely heavy damage to the roof.

Upon looking inside the vehicle, no patient was located but a large crinkle was present in the center of the roof, leading to a high suspicion that a patient was trapped under the vehicle. Rescue tools were deployed and the vehicle was raised on both sides, again with no patient contact. The effort was now placed on searching a deep ravine to the north with heavy brush in it, considering the probability of ejected occupants. Careflight 14 was utilized with their night vision and on board spotlight to scan the steep ravine for any signs of a patient. After roughly 20 minutes of searching, DPS received information that an RV hauling the SUV on a car dolly was at Blake Ranch Rd (Exit 66) on Interstate 40, reporting their vehicle became disconnected. At this time, on scene personnel learned no occupants were in the vehicle at all during the accident so all resources cleared the scene and returned to quarters.

Fire and EMS personnel were on scene for roughly 1 hour and no other injuries were reported. Interstate 40 remained open during the incident, ADOT provided traffic control on scene.

Story by Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photos by Jen Ottenschot, AMR

Firefighters Perform Odd Extrication

Getz Ranch - 

Its not everyday that firefighters have to use their extrication skills but the principles remain the same. On April 9, 2014 at 8:18 am, firefighters from Fire Station 51 and Fire Station 52 were dispatched to the area of Getz Ranch Rd and DW Ranch Rd for cattle stuck in a cattle guard. E521 arrived to find a bull with 3 legs trapped in the cattle guard and beginning to get tired. Crews assessed the situation and determined the best way to remove the bull would be to attempt to use extrication tools. Permission was granted from the ranch to do what was needed to the cattle guard to free the animal.

Firefighters from E521 and B516 deployed both cutters and spreaders, initially trying to simply spread the bars apart enough for the legs to free. It quickly became evident that that was not going to be enough, so crews used cutters and began cutting each end of the bars to widen the space. Firefighters had to work quickly to free all 3 legs rapidly so the animal would not try get up partially freed.

Firefighter Kris Schmidt is seen using hydraulic cutters to remove bars from the cattle guard

Crews were able to successfully remove enough material to allow the bull to step out of the cattle guard. Personnel stood back and waited for roughly 10 minutes for the bull to climb out. Upon observation, it appears the animal will be just fine, acquiring only scrapes and some sore muscles.

Story by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Engineer Heath Markley and Firefighter Kris Schmidt, Pinion Pine Fire District

Firefighters Respond to Tragic Thanksgiving Day Accident

Interstate 40 - 

On November 28, 2013 at 3:50 pm, Pinion Pine Firefighters received an alarm for a reported motor vehicle rollover on Interstate 40 near mile post 90 in the median with extrication needed. E521 and C501 were dispatched from Fire Station 52 (fs52). Additional information was received that multiple patients may have been ejected which brought the response of Careflight and Guardian Air in addition to AMR and fire district resources.

Firefighters and Guardian Air personnel packaging one of the trapped occupants for transport

Units arrived on scene to find a single passenger car on its side with moderate damage, that appeared to have rolled roughly 300 ft. Crews began checking for injuries and found three patients ejected and two in the vehicle needing extrication. The two adult patients ejected were unfortunately deceased upon arrival, the third patient was a young child that had been thrown roughly 75 ft and was in critical condition.

 

Firefighters extracted the two victims from within the vehicle, both of which had obtained serious injuries. The child and one occupant of the vehicle were airlifted to an area trauma center, while the third occupant was transported by ground to KRMC. The cause of the accident is unknown and being investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol.

We want to remind everyone to please wear your seat belt and use extra caution during your holiday travels.

View Pinion Pine Fire District - 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Story by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Captain Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District

One Killed, One Airlifted After Highway 93 Accident

Wikieup, Az -

At 2:16 pm on October 31, 2013, Pinion Pine Firefighters were dispatched to Highway 93 near the 117 mile marker northbound for what was reported as a serious injury accident with extrication needed. This brought the response of E521, R525 and C501 from fire station 52. While in route, additional information was given that one person had been ejected from the vehicle and a second patient was trapped in the vehicle. Guardian Air and Careflight were both activated due to level of injury and a response distance of nearly 40 miles. Units arrived on scene, finding a single vehicle that was roughly 60 ft down a hillside and 200 ft from the roadway that appeared to have rolled end over end numerous times. The passenger of the vehicle was ejected and was unfortunately deceased upon arrival and the driver of the vehicle was thrown into the passenger seat with neck and back pain. Firefighters removed the roof of the vehicle while AMR and flight crews took patient care. The patient was then transported to Las Vegas via helicopter.

 

 

 

The accident caused some traffic delays while aircraft was landing and taking off, and no other injuries were reported. The cause of the accident is unknown and is being investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol.

 

 

View Pinion Pine Fire District - 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

 

 

Lt. Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photo by Capt. Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District



Interstate 40 Fatality

District 52 -

On July 6, 2013 at 11:52 am, Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to Interstate 40 at the 61 mile marker westbound for a reported motor vehicle rollover which brought the response of a Chief Officer, 2 Engines and a Rescue totaling 8 personnel. Units arrived on scene to find a vehicle on its roof in the slow lane with heavy damage. Upon investigation, both occupants inside the vehicle were deceased and needed to be extricated from the vehicle. Firefighters deployed extrication tools from Rescue 525 and began operations. The extrication took approximately 1 hour to complete and traffic was  reduced to the high speed shoulder for roughly 2 hours. The cause of the accident is unknown and is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol.



 

 

Article By Lt. Ron Hood

Photos By Capt. Gail Jackson

 

 



Vehicle Accident with Extrication

Interstate 40 -

On May 29, 2013 around 4:15 pm, Pinion Pine firefighters responded to Interstate 40 near the 67 mile marker westbound for a motor vehicle rollover with entrapment. E521 crew arrived on scene to find a pickup truck hauling a trailer that had left the roadway and rolled several times before resting upright on Nellie Drive, the frontage road that runs along the north side of Interstate 40 from the Blake Ranch Rd exit.

 



Both patients had to be extricated from the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle refused medical treatment. The front seat passenger stated they had hit their head and lost consciousness and complained of lower back pain. The patient was treated by fire and EMS personnel and transported by ground to an area hospital in stable condition. The cause of the accident is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol. Crews were on scene for approximately one hour, and Interstate traffic was not interrupted from the incident.

 



View Pinion Pine Fire District - 2013 Incident Map in a larger map



Photo by Firefighter Stephan Little
Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Firefighters Respond to Fatality Accident

Interstate 40 -

On March 18, 2013 at 8:15 PM, E521 was requested by the Arizona Department of Public Safety to MM 93.5 on Interstate 40 to extrictate two deceased occupants of a single vehicle rollover. E521 crew arrived finding a single pickup truck resting on its roof in the median with heavy damage. Crews extrictated both restrained occupants through the drivers side of the vehicle which was removed using "Jaws of Life" spreaders. Crews were on scene for roughly one hour with no lane closures or delays. The cause of the accident is being investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

 

Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Serious Vehicle Accident on Interstate 40

On August 19, 2012 around 5 PM, E526 and Chief 501 were dispatched to Interstate 40 near mile post 68 westbound for a reported vehicle accident involving 3 tractor trailers with possible extrication needed. First arriving units found 2 semi's blocking all three lanes of westbound traffic with extremely heavy damage to one of the semi's, at that time E521 was dispatched for heavy rescue. E526 crew deployed a handline and began assessing the patient who was still in the cab of the truck. E521 arrived on scene and it was determined that complete extrication was not needed to extract the driver from the truck, although additional manpower would be needed.

The patient was removed from the vehicle and packaged for transport by Angel 6 to Las Vegas, NV, as a level one trauma patient. The patient received multiple lacerations to the arm and head as well as a serious leg injury. The driver and passenger of the second vehicle involved were uninjured and refused medical care on scene. All three lanes of traffic westbound were closed for approximately 1 hour while crews worked and Angel 6 landed and was then reduced to the median shoulder while the vehicles were removed. The cause of the accident is unknown and is being investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. No other injuries were reported.

The collision caused the cab of the semi to be rotated 90 degrees
with intrusion on the drivers side.

Photos Submitted by Engineer/EMT Chris Shaffer

Vehicle Extrication on Interstate 40

On July 30, 2012 at 10:30 AM, E526 was dispatched to Interstate 40 near the 96 mile marker for a reported motor vehicle accident with occupants trapped. While in route, additional information was recieved that a passenger car was pinned underneath a bus with trapped occupants, at that time E521 was dispatched for heavy rescue equipment and additional manpower. Upon E526's arrival, they found a vehicle that had been struck on the passengers side at freeway speeds with heavy damage and trapping the occupant inside. Crews removed the driver from the vehicle who was transported to an area hospital by ground and later transported by air.



E526 Firefighter Matt Young and Engineer Ron Hood
extricating the passenger from the vehicle.

E526 crew also began extrication on the passenger side to remove the patient which had significant hip and chest injuries. Crews successfully conducted a "side blitz" on the vehicle and removed the patient who was airlifted to an area hospital. The cause of the accident is being investigated by the Deptartment of Public Safety but is believed to be weather related. The slow lane of traffic was closed for approximately 2 hours while crews worked and the vehicle was removed.

Completed "side blitz" on the passenger side of the vehicle.





Units Respond to Fatal Accident

On June 2, 2012 around 1 PM, E521, C501, R235 and Batt. 2 were dispatched to Interstate 40 at the 59 mile marker (DW Ranch Rd) for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment. Units arrived on scene to find a tractor trailer that had ran into the rear of another tractor trailer at a high rate of speed. The driver of the rear semi was deceased upon arrival, and a lengthy extrication was initiated to remove the driver and search for other occupants. Crews cut a hole in the side of the sleeper to enter the semi to search for other patients and assist in removing the driver. No other occupants were found inside the vehicle. Both lanes of Interstate 40 eastbound were reduced to the median shoulder for approximately 4 hours. The driver of the second vehicle was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Firefighters Steve Little, Chris Braudaway and Beau Jackson
removing the door of the semi to access the patient.



Units Respond To Fatality On Highway 93

On December 29, 2011 at 4:28 Pm, an alarm was received for a motor vehicle rollover on Highway 93 near the 104 mile marker in the median. While in route, E523 recieved multiple updates stating there were 3 occupants trapped inside the vehicle and 1 occupant trapped underneath the vehicle. Angel 2, Careflight 14 and DPS Kingman Ranger were activated to respond to the incident.

Lieutenant/Paramedic Danny Zandvliet and Firefighter/EMT Chris Shaffer

establishing a plan for extrication.

Photo by: Firefighter/EMT Duane Dodds

Upon arrival of E523, crews found 1 deceased patient inside the vehicle and all other occupants self extricated. Crew began care on the 3 occupants and packaged them for transport, 2 patients flown in critical condition, 1 patient transported by ground in stable condition. After patient care was transfered, crew began the extrication of the deceased patient in the vehicle. The extrication took approximately 20 minutes, the roof was removed to gain better access to the occupant.

Lieutenant/Paramedic Danny Zandvliet and Firefighter/EMT Chris Shaffer

begin the extrication of the deceased occupant.

Photo by: Firefighter/EMT Duane Dodds

The vehicle was traveling southbound on Highway 93 when it left the roadway for an unknown reason and rolled approximately 100 yards through the median. Crews were on scene for 3 hours, the left lanes northbound/southbound were closed during the incident.

Article Submitted by: Firefighter/EMT Ron Hood

Photos Submitted by: Firefighter/EMT Duane Dodds