07/03/2026
[Training] Monday night (6/29) Washington crews were dispatched for an unknown medical approximately 1/4 of a mile past Martin Rd on Halfmoon Pond Rd. Crews responded with UTV 1, Ambulance 1, Engine 2, and Utility 1. The UTV responded into the scene while all other apparatus staged at the intersection of Martin Rd and Halfmoon Pond Rd. The UTV crew located a patient around a 1/4 mile in as dispatched had estimated. The initial evaluation reported one patient down in the trail with what appeared to be a bicycle accident.
Crews began treating the patient when they noticed the patient was tangled among 2 bicycles prompting an update to command that there were at least 2 patients but one had not been located. Additional manpower and supplies from Lempster Fire were requested to the scene. The crew of 4 on scene split up at this point with 2 searching for the second patient and 2 continuing care on the first patient who was semiconscious but breathing.
The second patient was located 70 feet down the embankment unconscious but breathing with traumatic injuries. For those that are local this was in the area known as Devil's Kitchen. A full trauma assessment indicated a severe head injury, pelvic fracture, and a tib/fib fracture. The two providers at the patient lost radio access so all updates were then yelled up to the trail and radioed in from there. This did add some complications to communicating with being able to exactly recite updates from the crew at the bottom. However, it added another real life possibility to the training and made things even more unpredictable.
Patient 1 at the top was evaluated and determined to have low blood sugar. The patient began trying to communicate but was incoherent however, once the patient was given oral glucose they were shortly communicating and stable.
The crew down at patient 2 was still awaiting additional help. The crew requested that the providers at the top notify command for an addition UTV, to check the availability of DHART, equipment for a z-system, and the stokes basket. The first UTV in did have most of these things but they were being utilized to removed the first patient. The second crew was on their way in with the additional supplies and manpower. Upon arrival they began evaluating where to anchor the z-system. (A z-system is a rope pulley system used often in technical rescues to lift or pull heavy loads while minimizing physical effort.)
Patient 1 was removed in the first stokes basket to clear the area for setup of equipment for patient 2’s extrication. The ropes were setup while additional providers made it down to the patient to help stabilize the patient enough to extricate. The patient was secured in the stokes basket and exctricated with the use of the z-system. This patient was placed in the rescue trailer and brought to staging to meet the ambulance.
Upon completing the scenario, Chief Atkins, Chief Thomas, and Instructor Atkins reviewed the scenario in depth. They always lead this part with honesty pointing out things that can be improved and emphasizing the successes. This opens it up for a larger conversation with everyone to also understand the adversities each individual may have faced as well as to ask questions. This was another great scenario and one that could very likely happen whether its bycicles, dirt bikes, four wheelers, UTVs or even a horse collision. As always we appreciate working with Lempster Fire as well as having Chief Thomas to provide additional feedback. Oh and a big thank you to Chief Thomas’ daughter for being a great patient 1!
![[Training] Monday night (6/29) Washington crews were dispatched for an unknown medical approximately 1/4 of a mile past ...](https://img4.govserv.org/988/794/1324242039887940.jpg)
