First Due Tackle Pass It On – Firefighter, Rescue & Extrication Training
This report is based on information from recorded times, recollections of HFD personnel on the scene during this incident, and the after crash investigation. The information should be used in a manner to train, educate, and make roadway incidents safer for emergency responders.
The Huron (OH) Fire Department was toned for an ill subject in a vehicle on State Route 2, westbound, west of Camp Road on June 1, 2011, shortly before 2200 hours. Per Huron Fire SOP (EMS on highways – with posted speed limits greater than 45 mph), the response consisted of an ambulance crew with two personnel and a ladder truck crew with two personnel.
Ladder truck specifications –
- 1996 Seagrave 105’ aerial platform
- 76,000 lbs.
- Emergency Lighting
- 2 rear amber strobes, 2 front red strobes on ladder bucket, 2 front red sealed beam flashers on cab below windshield, both headlights flash
- (Note: this section describes one side of the truck and is a duplicate of the opposite side) 1 side red strobe above rear tires, 1 side red strobe on personnel cab, 1 side red/white strobe on front bumper, 1 side red strobe on ladder bucket, 1 mini red strobe lightbar on roof of personnel cab above the driver
- No chevron or arrowbar is present on this apparatus
SR 2 is a four lane divided highway with a grass median and has a speed limit of 65 mph. Conditions at the incident scene included; darkness, dry road conditions, and light to moderate traffic volume.
Two Ohio State Patrol Troopers were on scene with the ill patient upon HFD arrival. Both of the Troopers cruisers had emergency warning lights operating and were parked in the right-hand berm behind the patient’s vehicle. The HFD ambulance arrived on scene at 21:57:55 hours, pulled past the two cruisers and the patient’s vehicle, and parked in the right-hand berm. Two HFD paramedics attended to the patient who was sitting in the cruiser closest to oncoming traffic. Two OSP Troopers were standing within feet of the patient and HFD paramedics. Both the paramedics and Troopers were wearing appropriate high-visibility reflective vests. The HFD ladder truck arrived on scene at 21:59:09 hours with emergency lights operating, parked on an angle toward the center-line effectively shutting down the right-hand lane of traffic, and was in neutral with the parking brake set. Ambulance personnel advised the truck that their assistance was not needed with patient care. The truck crew remained in the apparatus with seatbelts fastened. No other traffic control devices were deployed upstream of the truck.
At 22:02:56 hours, a 1999 Buick Lesabre driven by an 84 y/o female (traveling at 68 mph, per the OSP investigation) struck the front drivers side tire and bumper of the ladder truck. The truck effectively deflected the vehicle away from the paramedics, Troopers, and patient downstream. Although shaken by the incident, no first responders or the original patient were injured in the incident.
Additional Huron Fire Department apparatus, Huron Police Department officers, and Erie County Sheriff Deputies responded to the scene for traffic control and investigation purposes. The driver of the Buick Lesabre refused medical care at the scene.
The HFD truck operator was sent for a drug screen even though the apparatus was stationary at the time of the incident. The test results were negative for drugs and alcohol.
The HFD ladder truck sustained significant cosmetic and structural damage to the front bumper. The truck was driven from the scene. The Buick Lesabre sustained heavy damage to the entire passenger side and had to be towed from the scene.
