Vehicle Stabilization and Patient Extrication Class

The Pinion Pine Fire District will be hosting a Vehicle Stabilization and Patient Extrictation class on November 17-18, 2012 which will prepare rescuers to successfully manage vehicle incidents safely and proficiently. The course will cover incident size-up, scene hazard management, vehicle stabilization, patient access and management, extrication techniques, and new car technology. Students will recieve a certicification through the Arizona Center for Fire Service Excellence upon completion. For more information, visit http://www.pinionpinefire.com/classes.htm. Class size is limited and students must be sponsored by their department.

Interstate 40 Vehicle Fire

On September 27, 2012 at 2:42 PM, E521, WT528 and C501 were dispatched to Interstate 40 near the 65 mile marker westbound for a recreational vehicle fire. E521 (Station 52) was first on scene and reported a RV fully involved with a secondary 1/2 acre vegetation fire. Crews knocked down the brush fire and began suppression on the RV. Within a few mimutes, WT528 and C501 were on scene, assisting E521 crew. The vehicle was a complete loss but the owner asked if the firefighters would mind looking for a few personal effects within the ashes. After approximately 20 mins, crews suprisingly found some of the items requested undamaged from the fire. Crews remained on scene to overhaul the RV and brush fire and cleared shortly after. Traffic was stopped for 30 mins westbound and was then reduced to the high speed lane while crews finished operations. The cause of the fire is unknown and no injuries were reported.



Engineer Ron Hood gives the owner some of
the items found undamaged.

Firefighters Collect for the Childrens Miracle Network

On September 9, September 16 and September 23, 2012, Pinion Pine firefighters spent the day at the Loves Truck Stop (Interstate 40, exit 59) collecting donations for the Children's Miracle Network charity. The Children's Miracle Network is one of North America's leading children's charities that raises money for local hospitals to help children and their families deal with common illnesses such as asthma or to fight bigger challenges such as cancer. Since 2011, the CMN has raised more than $4.3 billion.  We are happy to say we have assisted the Loves Corporation and the Children's Miracle Network with raising $1,600 plus the stores total in an effort to reach our goal of $11,053. We appreciate all the help from the everyday people that passed through and made a donation from the change in their pocket to the $20 bills and look forward to raising even more in September 2013.

Firefighter Dave Swisher,  Firefighter Steve Little, Firefighter
Travis Menter and Engineer Ron Hood collect donations on
September 16, 2012.

Early Morning Vehicle Fire

On September 14, 2012 at 1:39 AM, Engine 511 and Chief 501 received an alarm for a tractor trailer fire on Highway 93 northbound at the 96 mile marker (Hackberry Rd). Units arrived on scene to a semi tractor fully involved already detached from the trailer. Crews deployed a CAFS attack line and extinguished the blaze, although the truck was completely destroyed by the fire. There was no secondary damage to the trailer and the driver was uninjured. Units were on scene for approximately 1 hour while operations were conducted and traffic flow restricted to 1 lane. The cause of the fire was not determined but the driver believes it started near the fuel pump area of the motor compartment.

Lt. Danny Zandvliet and Firefighter Dave Swisher begin
fire attack upon arrival.

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

Interstate 40 Vehicle Accident

On August 19, 2012 at 12:34 PM, E526 and Chief 501 were dispatched to Interstate 40 near the 75 mile marker eastbound for a reported single vehicle rollover with three patients, one reported trapped. E526 arrived on scene and found a single vehicle rollover with heavy damage, resting on its roof. E526 crew began triage of patients to assess medical needs and priorities. Two patients, still in the vehicle initially complained of neck and back pain, the third patient had no initial complaints. E526 crew began stabilization of the two patients still in the vehicle.  The first patient in the vehicle was extricated and packaged for ground transport to an area hospital. The third patient was then packaged for transport by ground while the second patient was carefully extricated. Second patient was extricated from the rear of the vehicle and packaged for transport by Angel 6 to a Flagstaff hospital. The accident is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety but the driver stated that the semi trailer in front of them lost some tire debris, leading to the accident.

Engineer/EMT Chris Shaffer And FF/EMT Beau Jackson are
 seen packaging a patient.

Article Submitted by Engineer/EMT Chris Shaffer

Photo Submitted by Captain Gail Jackson

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.