SSVFD Assists with Technical Rescue in Brookeville (Video)

On Thursday, August 3, 2017, the Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Departments All Terrain Vehicle (ATV740) was alerted to assist the Laytonsville Volunteer Fire Department for an off road rescue on a horse trail. Laytonsville District VFD units arrived on scene and went on foot to work on finding the patient.

SSVFD’s ATV740 arrived on scene shortly after LDVFD, and tried to find a navigable path. Unfortunately the dense woods and terrain wouldn’t accommodate an ATV, so the fire rescue crews developed alternative plans. A crew took a specialized off road stretcher from ATV740 to assist with transporting the patient. Realizing that this rescue would require more personnel, SSVFD Paramedic Engines 704 and 740 were requested to assist with providing additional manpower.

Once the patient was located, it was determined that they were a significant distance from the road in all directions. A request was made for aviation to assist with extricating the patient. Maryland State Police Trooper 3 and Trooper 1 were utilized, hoisting the patient approximately 200 feet in the air, and then transporting to a trauma center. Crews then made their way back out of the woods to the command post, and rehydrated with the assistance of SSVFD Canteen 740.

SSVFD would like to remind everyone that if you are traveling in the woods, always travel with 2 or more people. Please stay on designated trails, and bring a cell phone and a battery backup charger. You can also share your location with a friend or family, and download a hiking app that will track your trail. In the event of an emergency, please provide the following information to 911:

Your starting location
Direction and location you were heading
Coordinates (most smart phone map apps will have this information. Drop a pin on your location on the map to get your coordinates).
Describe the terrain or features around you

SSVFD Units on the Incident: