February 18, 2017
Around 1035 am Station 3 was alerted for man power at the AMC movie Theater. Engine 32 was able to respond quickly after dispatch. The ambulance on scene advised that they had 2 patients in a narrow stairway and needed help getting them out.
As Engine 32 arrived on scene, Chief 3A arrived as well. As the crew made entry into the stairway it was discovered that a new section of ceiling had collapsed which lead to the patients falling to the bottom of the stairway. The officer of Engine 32 requested a Confined Space Rescue to be started as Chief 3A also requested the Collapse Trailer from Company 13.
This upgrade brought out Rescue 7, Squad 6, ambulances from Company 6 and 39, & Trooper 7 after it was requested. Engine 32 started removing all nonessential personnel from the stairway. Anyone who entered the area had to be in proper PPE. Chief 39 arrived and started to assess both patients as Engine 132 arrived. Crews began working on a plan to stabilize the falling ceiling.
Crews used the Paratech struts off Rescue 3, Rescue 7, & the collapse trailer to secure the ceiling in place. After that was done a pulley system was set up using a pickup that was outside the stairway as the anchor point. The narrow stokes basket was used to load the patients into so they could be removed easily from the stairway. Once the 2 patients were removed they were taken to Trooper 7 who was awaiting there arrival.
Lastly we used a 24 foot extension ladder to get the last worker down from the ceiling that was not compromised. That patient was taken out and checked over by ems to be safe.
Command contacted Maryland OSHA to report this incident as the Sheriff's office was starting to conduct the investigation.
Good team work by all.
**Photos from SMNEWSNET.COM**