Rollover Traffic Collision Sends Driver To Trauma Center in Helicopter

Lakeside: 

On Saturday February 7, 2015 Lakeside Firefighters were called to Lake Jennings Park Rd. and Interstate 8 for reports of a rollover traffic collision.  Lakeside Rescue 3 was first on scene and found that a pickup truck had rolled over and the driver had been ejected from the vehicle.  Rescue 3 crews quickly began treating the critically injured patient and determined that it would be in the best interest of the patient to be flown via Mercy Air to a trauma center.

Mercy Air Taking off of the Trauma Center with the Patient on Board

Alpine Engine 17 went to ensure there was a safe landing zone for Mercy Air 6 and Lakeside Engine 26 assisted Rescue 3 on scene with patient care.  When Santee Medic 5 arrived at the scene the patient was quickly loaded and transported to the landing zone to rendezvous with Mercy Air 6.

Crews Work on the Critically Injured Patient

Engine 17 found an appropriate landing zone in the parking lot at Lake Jennings Park.  Without specific helipads in the district it is necessary that we use large open safe places to land rescue helicopters.  There are many suitable areas, but if a single car is parked in the wrong place it can completely exclude a pre-designated landing zone.  Fortunately, on this particular Saturday, there was plenty of room at the closest possible landing zone.

Mercy Air on the Ground

The patient was transferred to the helicopter and flown to a local trauma center.  California Highway Patrol was on scene and is investigating the cause of the accident.

Story and Photos by Acting Division Chief Bernie Molloy

HWY 67 Closed for Major Traffic Collision

Lakeside, CA -

On Friday May 30, 2014, at approximately 3:15 in the afternoon units were requested to respond to Hwy 67 northbound to reports of a head on collision just south of Winter Gardens Blvd.  Lakeside Engine 1 arrived on scene and found two vehicles with major damage, each of which had trapped victims inside.  Additional resources were immediately requested due to the large workload that would be required to extricate multiple patients from separate vehicles.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

The incident, which was being directed by Lakeside Division Chief 4104, utilized engines from Lakeside, Santee, and El Cajon.  Two rescue units were also assigned, Santee R5 and Lakeside R3 from the Lake Jennings Fire Station.  The two patients were in critical condition meaning they would require separate transporting units so two ALS units were requested as well as Mercy Air 6.  

Crews work to extricate patients from separate vehicles

A large quantity of debris was strewn from the accident site

The accident scene was strewn with the contents of both vehicles, a sign of how much energy was involved in the collision.  Hwy 67 had to be completely closed due to the large volume of debris that resulting from the accident.  The closed freeway provided the ability for the fire and law enforcement crews to work safely while extricating the patients.  The road closure also allowed for a very close landing zone for Mercy Air 6.  It is rare to see a medical helicopter set down on a major interstate in San Diego County in the middle of rush hour traffic.  The helicopter, along with the seriousness of the accident, drew crowds of people to the side of the road to watch the incident.

One patient was extricated quickly and immediately transported by Santee Medic 4 to an area trauma center.  The other patient took longer to extricate so Mercy Air 6 was utilized to provide transport to the trauma center.  Once the patients were extricated and the incident was stabilized the California Highway Patrol took over the scene and began an accident investigation.

Mercy Air 6 set down on the closed portion of HWY 67

Photos / Video and Story by Captain Bernie Molloy

Lakeside Units Assist Alpine on Vehicle Rescue

Peutz Valley-

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at 5:25 p.m. the Heartland Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reference a vehicle that while traveling on westbound Interstate 8 had left the freeway near Peutz Valley. A full vehicle rescue assignment was dispatched which sent two structural engines, a rescue company, an ALS medic unit, and a duty chief to the incident.

Lakeside Fire crews stabilize the vehicle and then begin the task of extrication.

Crew members get close enough to the victim so initial medical care and be administered.

While en-route to the incident, responding units were updated that an off-duty tow truck driver was at the vehicle and it was accessible from the 400 block of Peutz Valley Rd. He also informed the dispatch center that there were multiple victims and some had suffered serious injuries. Based on the updated information, additional resources were assigned to the incident.

On the arrival of Engine 17 (Alpine Fire), firefighters located a vehicle that had left the freeway and had rolled down a 100-foot embankment. Prior to the arrival of fire units, bystanders had removed a two year old child and were rendering assistance to the toddler. But crews quickly discovered a front passenger that was trapped and a driver that was unresponsive.

With the victim out paramedics quickly start the task of administering advanced life support.

With the arrival of Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and Engine 26 (Blossom Valley Station), firefighters went to work on the trapped occupants. Due to the vehicle position and the major damage it had sustained, it was determined that this would be an extended operation with a number of complex situations that firefighters would need to address. 

Crews removed the passenger who was then was quickly loaded into Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and driven to a nearby landing zone to meet with Mercy Air 6. The victim was flown to a local trauma center.

Unfortunately, crews quickly discovered the driver had succumbed to her injuries. Crews continued with the task of body recovery.

A total of 9 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident. CHP is currently investigating the incident.

Submitted By: Firefighter-Paramedic Steve Russo, Lakeside Fire District.   

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

Lakeside Assists CAL Fire with Multi-Patient Accident on Dehesa

Dehesa-

On Sunday, October 13th, 2013 at 8:13 a.m., the Lakeside Fire District received an automatic aid request to respond Rescue 3 to the area of Dehesa Rd and Matamo Pl. Initial reports indicated a high-speed head-on collision with multiple injured parties. Dispatched to the incident were three structural engines, two rescue companies, one ALS medic unit, and a CAL Fire duty chief.

Firefighter-Paramedics from multiple agencies work to stabilize a critically injured occupant. The red fluid on the ground is automatic transmission fluid.

With the arrival of Engine 23 (San Miguel Fire-Dehesa Station) they indicated a number of moderately (to severely) injured parties with an entrapment. The process of sorting, and treating, the victims began. Command was assumed by a CAL Fire chief officer where the task of organizing the incident was initiated.

Type of damage that results from a high speed head-on collision. Note the deployed airbag.

On the arrival of Engine 63 and Medic 63 (Sycuan Fire) extrication, and treatment of the victims, continued. The crew from Engine 63 was able to free the trapped victim with rescue tools carried on the engine.  The crew from Rescue 3 was assigned to assist with the treatment of a critically injured patient.

A request was made for Mercy Air to respond and transport the critically injured victim to the trauma center at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

The crew from Engine 19 (San Miguel-Bostonia) stands-by while Mercy Air lifts off for Sharp Memoial.

This incident is another example how automatic-aid works to not only manage fire incidents but any incident that requires a coordinated effort.

Units assisting San Miguel/CAL Fire were Sycuan Fire Department, Lakeside Fire District, and American Medical Response, and Mercy Air

Photos and Submission By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Motorcyclist Flown to Trauma Center from Lakeside

El Monte:  Lakeside firefighters were called on the evening of May 17, 2013 for reports of a motorcyclist that had crashed off road in the El Monte valley and was in need of medical assistance.  Lakeside E3 and M3 were dispatched and with the assistance of the SDSO and the CHP were able to locate the patient in an off road area.  The patient.was determined to be a major trauma and with a prolonged extrication time to overcome the crews decided Mercy Air should be utilized for patient transportation.  E2 was in the area and made access to El Monte Park to land Mercy Air 6.

Mercy Air 6 on the ground

The flight crew was on the ground and able to quickly take the patient turnover and begin transport to the helicopter when M3 arrived with the patient.  The patient was then transported to an area trauma center by Mercy Air 6.

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

The combination of the fire department ALS transport and Mercy Air 6 ensured the patient was in a trauma center within the critical "golden hour".

Story By: Captain Bernie Molloy, Lakeside Fire District
Pictures By: Chief Andrew Parr, Lakeside Fire District

Motorcyclist Suffers Major Traumatic Injuries in Crash with a Bus

Pepper Drive Area-

On Sunday, August 19, 2012, at 3:52 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received calls about a motorcyclist that had collided with a bus in the area of North 2nd Street and Pepper Drive. Callers indicated that the victim might be trapped under the bus so a full "vehicle rescue" response was sent. This included a structural engine, a rescue company, an ALS medic unit, and a duty chief.

Firefighters from Lakeside and San Miguel work to stabilize the patient.

The driver on the motorcycle evidently lost control of the bike and slid under the front of a MTS bus that was stopped at a bus stop. First arriving units found the patient trapped under the front of the bus with airway compromise. The bus had lowered onto the patient crushing him.Firefighters re-inflated the air-bag suspension system on the bus allowing crews to remove the victim.

Flight crew members assist in preparing the victim for a flight to the trauma center.

The patient suffered from multiple life-threatening traumatic injuries. Due to the severity of the injuries the decision was made to fly the patient to Sharp Memorial Trauma via a Mercy Air medical helicopter.

Agencies that assisted included San Miguel, Santee, and Heartland Fire-Rescue. CHP is currently investigating the accident.

Story By: Firefighter-Paramedic Steve Russo, Lakeside Fire Protection District

Lakeside Units Handle a Rollover Traffic Collision on Wild Cat Canyon

Lakeside, CA -

On July 1, 2011, just after 11:00 p.m., Lakeside firefighters responded to a report of a rollover traffic collision on Wildcat Canyon Road.  The response included engines and a rescue unit from Lakeside and Barona as well as two paramedic ambulances from Lakeside and Santee.  On the arrival of Lakeside B1, he reported the vehicle was on its side with one occupant trapped in the vehicle.  Two other occupants from the vehicle had self-extricated and were on the side of the road. 

The Vehicle sustained major damage.

E1 (Riverview Station) was quickly on scene and began patient care with the assistance of E2 (Eucalyptus Hills Station) .  R3 (Lake Jennings Station) arrived and began stabilizing the vehicle and working on removing the trapped patient.  Barona E27 arrived from the north end of Wildcat Canyon and assisted with patient extrication.  Due to the prolonged extrication, B1 requested Mercy Air 6 from Gillespie Field in El Cajon to expedite transport once the trapped patient was freed from the car.

R-42 Struts are used to secure the vehicle so crews can remove the
trapped occupants

All three patients were transported to an area trauma center.  The cause of the accident is under investigation by the CHP.

Submitted by:  Engineer Paramedic Bernie Molloy, Lakeside Fire District

Paraglider Crash Brings Multi-Agency Response

Blossom Valley-

On Monday, June 13, 2011 at 5:56 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received a call from a downed paraglider pilot who stated he was below the Blossom Gliderport and believed he was severely injured. A full rescue response was dispatched that included two engine companies, a rescue company, ALS medic unit, and a battalion chief.

Lakeside paramedics initiated advanced life support upon arriving at scene.

As Battalion Chief Ron Laff accessed the area, he could see the collapsed canopy of the victim's glider significantly below the jump-off point at the glider port. A request was made for ASTREA from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department to respond and assist ground units in locating the victim. The crew from Rescue 3 and Medic 3 loaded their equipment into a four wheel drive unit and accessed the area.

The patient is hoisted to Copter 12.

A CalFire crew member, and Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams hang onto a "tagline" as the patient is hoisted to the helicopter. The "tagline" keeps the patient from spinning once he enters the rotor-wash from the suspended helicopter.

Once over the mountain, ASTREA was able to direct crews to the victim. On their arrival, the victim had complaints suggestive of spinal injuries and fractures. The patient was also exhibiting signs of shock. Paramedics on the scene initiated advanced life support, which included IV fluids to combat the shock.

The flight crew pulls the victim into the helicopter.

Due to the extremely steep terrain, the decision was made to hoist the patient to a helicopter then rendezvous with a Mercy Air helicopter for transport to a trauma center. Copter 12 was dispatched to the scene and made radio contact with ground units. Once overhead, the air crews had to carefully evaluate the safest method to hoist the patient.

Copter 12 lands at the landing zone to transfer the patient to Mercy Air 5

Mercy Air 5 lifts off for Sharp Memorial Trauma Center

A crew member was lowered to the scene and prepared the patient for the hoist operation. After the victim was safely in Copter 12, it departed the scene to land in a nearby field so the patient could be transferred to Mercy Air 5. The patient was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital for evaluation in the trauma center.

Agencies assisting the Lakeside Fire District include CalFire (air and ground), San Diego Sheriff Department, and Mercy Air. 




Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District.
Photos By: Firefighter-Paramedic Josh Raczka, Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams, and Firefighter Todd Welch, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Fire Crews Rescue Trapped Driver

Dunbar Lane Area - A high-speed head-on traffic collision required a full rescue response from Lakeside and Alpine Firefighters on October 2, 2010 at 8:27 p.m. The incident, in the area of Dunbar Lane and Alpine Boulevard, brought fire crews from Lakeside's Blossom Valley (fs26) and Lake Jennings (fs3) fire stations. Enroute the incident, Lakeside Battalion 1 (Tockstein) requested an additional engine company and the crew from Alpine's Tavern Road fire station (fs17) also responded.

Firefighters used hydraulic spreading and cutting tools to extricate the driver of a heavily damaged full-size pickup truck. Due to the prolonged extrication time involved, an aeromedical helicopter (Mercy Air 6) was requested to transport the patient to Sharp Memorial Hospital. Lakeside Firefighter/Paramedics provided treatment for the patient on scene.

Unfortunately, the driver of the other involved vehicle did not survive the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two dogs were also killed in the crash. The crew from Lakeside Rescue 3 was on scene for nearly three hours assisting the CHP and County Medical Examiner personnel with scene lighting.

Units attending this incident included R3, E26s, E17, M3, and B1.

Lakeside Firefighters prepare to remove extricated driver.

This vehicle sustained major damage!

Photos by: Captain Jerry Daoust, Lakeside Fire District
Story by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Wakeboarder Injured at El Capitan Reservoir

El Monte Valley - Lakeside Firefighters and San Diego City Lake Rangers teamed-up to rescue a wakeboarder who suffered traumatic injuries at the El Capitan Reservoir east of Lakeside on Saturday, July 24, 2010. The Lake Rangers accessed the injured person at the far north end of the lake providing treatment and packaging and delivering him to the boat dock where care was transferred to the crews from Lakeside's Lake Jennings fire station (E3 & M3). Due to the nature of the injuries and the relatively long transport distance, an aeromedical helicopter (Mercy Air 6) was requested to respond from Gillespie Field in El Cajon. Lakeside Battalion 1 (Tockstein) secured the landing zone at El Monte County Park. Lakeside Firefighter/Paramedics transferred care to the Mercy Air 6 flight crew and the patient was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital in Kearny Mesa.

Mercy Air 6 lands at El Monte Park.

Lakeside Firefighters have provided service to the San Diego City lakes at San Vincente and El Capitan reservoirs for many years. We have fostered a close working relationship with the San Diego City Lake Rangers in order to provide service to county residents who enjoy recreation at the lakes.

Mercy Air 6 lifts-off with El Cajon mountain in the background.

Mercy Air 6 enroute Sharp Memorial Hospital.

Story and photos by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Rescue Vehicle Accident Victims

Major front-end damage required extended extrication.

Blossom Valley: Heartland Fire Dispatch was advised of a vehicle accident on Interstate 8 just east of Lake Jennings Park road at 2:12 pm today. It was reported that a vehicle traveling eastbound on the freeway had crossed the center divide then passed through all westbound lanes sideswiping one vehicle and coming to rest on a frontage road. Barona Chief 4801 (Sandoval) happened upon the crash and directed responding units to the vehicle on Blossom Valley Road. Lakeside Battalion 1 (Laff) arrived on scene to find one heavily damaged vehicle with with two trapped occupants.

Crews work to free the trapped passenger

With the patient extricated Lakeside medics and the Mercy Air flight crew work to stabilize the patient.

B1 established Blossom Incident Command. Rescue 3, Medic 3 and Engine 26s arrived seconds later to begin emergency operations. The vehicle sustained major front-end damage concentrated on the right side resulting in the female passenger being heavily trapped. Due to the need for extended extrication efforts, B1 requested additional resources including air ambulance, Medic 1, Engine 1 and Cal Fire Engine 3382.

Patient stabilization prior to air transport

Twisted metal was removed from around the patient piece-by-piece and she was freed from the wreckage 18 minutes later. The requested airship, Mercy Air 6, arrived on-scene simultaneously to take over care of the passenger who suffered major trauma and was airlifted to Sharp Memorial hospital in critical condition. The driver, reported to be the passenger's daughter, was freed from the wreckage within minutes. She also sustained traumatic injuries and was ground transported to Sharp Memorial by Lakeside Medic 1. Luckily the occupants of the sideswiped vehicle on the freeway escaped injury.

Additional pictures can bee seen at EASTCOUNTYNEWS.NET

Submitted by: Captain Chuck Palmore, Lakeside Fire District
Photos by: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Vehicle Accident With Trapped Victim

Crews from R3, M3 and E26s work to free the trapped driver.

On May 17th at 1811 hours R3,M3, B1 ,3382, and E26s responded to a vehicle into a tree in the 9500 block of Blossom Valley Road. Upon arrival , we found a
single occupant/driver entrapped in the vehicle that was surrounded by
poison oak. The patient had severe injuries, and due an extended
extrication (37 minutes), Mercy Air 6 was requested (3382 landed MA6).

Mercy Air 6 and crew await patient extrication.

 The vehicle initially appeared as though it was nearly encapsulated in
poison oak, assuring that all eleven LKS personnel would need
decontamination .

At 1854 patient was extricated, and loaded into MA6 for transport to Sharp Memorial.

Extensive work was required to free the driver from the wreckage.

A comprehensive decontamination operation to remove poison oak "oils"
followed of all personnel , all turnouts and protective clothing , as
well as all extrication equipment used . All scene personnel were kept
"incident assigned" until decontamination was complete . This incident
is a great reminder of why we provide our personnel with a "back-up"
set of turnouts, as all incident worn turnouts required
decontamination followed by machine washing.

With decontamination, the incident lasted 3 hours.

Text and Photos Submitted By: Brent Larkin, Battalion Chief Lakedside FD