BRFD stays busy during Ice storm
 
By Chief Eddie Collins
December 16, 2022
 

Heavy sleet and freezing rain caused many accidents across the county yesterday, putting the rescue company on the street three times for accidents on Interstate 68, two of which involved tractor trailers. No accidents resulted in serious injury. The most notable call was at mile marker 53 east bound.

At 14:59 hours, while the company was out on an EMS assist call, Allegany ECC dispatched I68 Rescue box F0402 for a tractor trailer roll over, possibly 1 trapped in the area of mile marker 50 eastbound. Units clearing the EMS call responded back for the rescue squad, while the engine company and chief responded from the scene.

While enroute, Allegany ECC updated the location to be I68 mile marker 53 east bound which was located in company 12s area. Chief 3 first arriving, found a loaded tractor trailer, overturned off the roadway into the woods. Investigation revealed no entrapment, but an active fuel leak from the saddle tanks and requested the hazmat company. Due to the location of the incident and weather conditions, MDOT was requested to shut I68 down at the top of the mountain and divert traffic down Route 144. RE4 arrived and provided barrier protection to the scene, E121 E32 set up road closure at mile marker 51. Rescue Squad 3 arrived and began to stabilize the cab which was partially removed from the frame. Stabilization was completed utilizing the Paratech rescue struts. The crew then assisted the hazmat company with a diesel fuel pump off. Units cleared shortly after, and the recovery was to be completed the following day by the towing company and MDOT. BRFD operated with 10 personnel on scene.

 
Units: RS3, E32, CH3
 
Mutual Aid: Rescue Engine 4, Engine 121, Medic 341, Fuel 48