January 29, 2009 - One female occupant had to be extricated from her SUV in a one car rollover on Salem Mt. Road in Carbondale Twp. approximatly 1-2 miles above the Casey Highway overpass at 1850hrs.  The vehicle sustained heavy roof damage and the patient suffered serious injuries. Cottage Rescue arrived and stabilized the vehicle, then worked with the EMS team to quickly extricate the patient, who was then transported to CMC.

CO overcomes several on Christmas Eve 
December 24, 2009 - In the mid morning hours of this nice Christmas Eve day, 51-9 was sent along with E51 for what sounded like a routine CO investigation at the Carbondale YMCA.  Things changed pretty quickly.  Upon arrival of E51, firefighters immediately encountered multiple patients with symptoms of CO poisoning, some with serious symptoms.  They relayed this information and requested additional EMS units to the scene.  51-9 arrived on the scene and began patient triage and treatment.  Paramedic 166 (Fish) arrived and assumed EMS command requesting a "Level 3" EMS assignment bringing all available Cottage ALS/BLS, Rescue 51, Forest City EMS, Waymart EMS and Scott Twp. EMS (in town returning a medic to Station 51) and placing Wm. Walker EMS on standby.   As the FD cleared the building of victims and tried to determine the cause of CO, the found readings of over 700ppm in some areas of the building.  EMS crews triaged and transported a total of 9 patients to area hospitals with Marian Community receiving the bulk of the patients.  A great job by all depts. involved as well as the Lackawanna Co. Comm Center dispatchers
On the box:  5 Cottage ALS/BLS units, R51, E51, S51, R51-1, 36-9, Waymart 1 & 2, Forest CIty 6, Lackawanna EMA. 

Later in the day, Cottage BLS was sent to assist CFD with a residential CO meter activation that also saw R51 for the use of it's CO meter on Darte Ave. in the City.

Fatal crash with entrapment on the Casey

December 3, 2009 - At 0400hrs the Cottage Rescue & EMS were sent along with Carbondale Twp. crews to the Casey Highway at MM15 (approx. 1/4 mile west of exit 7) for the reported MVA, rollover with entrapment.  51-82 (Allison) was the first to arrive, assuming command and reporting two vehicles, including a pickup truck with one entrapped, on it's side.

With this information R51-2 was also brought to the scene as second  due.  Rescue and EMS crews arrived, stabilized the vehicles, set up lighting and accessed the patient.  The Rescue 51 crew removed the roof for patient extrication.  The patient was packaged and transported to CMC by 51-9/CH1.  The patient from the second vehicle, unfortunately, died from injuries at the scene and was also extricated from the vehicle with the use of the Hurst tools.  R51-2 provided fire protection with the E60 crew assisting.  Chief 60 held the command while SQ62 handled the traffic detail, closing the westbound lanes at exit #7.   Crews then remained on scene for several hours while PSP investigated.  On the box:  R51, R51-2, 51-9/CH1, 51-8/CH2, E60, SQ62, PSP

Two trapped in rollover

October 30, 2009 - Rescue 51, Cottage EMS and Station 61 fire were dispatched at approx. 0230hrs to Rt. 106 in Fell Twp. near the Stonehouse bar for the reported vehicle rolled over with a patient still inside.  As crews went en-route an update that there were possibly two patients in the vehicle was transmitted. With this information, R51-2 was added to the assignment as well as a 2nd Cottage ALS truck.   51-45 (Veina) was the first to arrive reporting a vehicle on it's roof and confirming two entrapped.

The Rescue's arrived, deployed the light tower and began stabilization of the vehicle with the Junk Yard Dog struts and cribbing.  The Rescue crews used two sets of Hurst tools to remove doors, with a "wide body" cut on the driver's side.  E61-4 provided fire protection.   Both patients were extricated within approx 15 minutes of the Rescues' arrival.   Both patients were packaged and transported to CMC by Cottage EMS.  Rescue crews remained on scene for an additional hour while PSP investigated, the hazards were controlled and the scene was cleaned. 
On the box:  R51, R51-2, 51-9/CH1, 51-8/CH2, E61-4, PSP  Photolink

ALS & Rescue on 21 crash

September 28, 2009 - Just after 1130am, Station 21 (Archbald EMS/Rescue) were dispatched along with an LA ALS unit to MM 9 on the Casey Highway for the reported car over an embankment.  Shortly afterward, Station 59 (Wm. Walker EMS/Rescue) and Cottage #2 were sent as the 2nd due companies. Chief 59-3 was the first to arrive, reporting a car over a 75-100 foot embankment with the patient still in the car.

He then upgraded the rescue box requesting Rescues 51, 25 and 31 for the operation.  CH2 was the next to arrive along with LA 10, with the medics from both units accessing and stabilizing the patient. 

The companies set up a rope system while crews from Rescue 51, 59 and 21 assisted the Cottage and LA medics package the patient.  The patient was hauled up the embankment and placed in 21-8 and was transported to CMC with a Cottage Medic on board.  A job well done with multiple companies working together!  On the box:  Rescues - 51, 21, 59, 25, 31  Ambulances - 21 & 59, CH2 & LA 10.

 42 crash brings ALS & Rescue 
September 4th - Station 42, Rescue 41, Forest City EMS and Cottage Mobile 9 were dispatched this evening to a reported MVA, car vs. motorcycle on Rt 171 (Main St.)  in Vandling.  Upon arrival, Chief 42 (Hollis) found the two motorcycle occupants trapped under the SUV.  He then requested Rescue 51 as the 2nd due rescue.  Mobile 9 medics assisted Forest City EMS transporting one patient to CMC with critical injuries while the second patient, unfortunately, died from his injuries at the scene.  The Rescue crew assisted crews from Engine 42 (Vandling) and Rescue 41 (Forest City) at the scene for approximately 90 minutes.  The crash is under investigation by PSP. 

New medics in the house
 The members and staff at Cottage would like to congratulate Joe Scotchlas, Nick Racht and Brian Wasserman upon completion of the Paramedic program at Luzerne Co. Community College.  All three successfully passed the program, as well as, the National Registry exam.  The trio has also received medical command through the PA Dept. of Heath.  Joe (Medic 1018), Nick (Medic 1017) and Brian (Medic 1006) will now be completing an orientation program at Cottage.  Congratulations on a job well done!
 

Medics run multi-patient crash in Greenfield August 17, 2009 - At around 1300hrs Cottage #1 was dispatched to assist Greenfield EMS / Fire for the reported MVA, rollover with multiple patients.  CH1 initially responded with 3 medics.  Upon arrival, the medics encountered 6 patients that were being triaged by Greenfield EMS.  Additional ALS providers were then requested as the on-scene medics were outnumbered by trauma patients.

In all, Cottage had six medics and one EMT on scene for the 5 trauma patients (2 adult and 3 pediatric).  Greenfield and Clifford EMS transported 3 patients to CMC accompanied by Cottage medics while the 4th and 5th were taken to a nearby LZ by Wm. Walker EMS and Cottage Medics, who were flown to Geisinger Wyoming Valley. 
 

Two entrapped on  Simpson bridge July 16, 2009 - Just after 6pm the Rescue and EMS were sent to a reported MVA with injuries on the 171 bridge in Simpson.  R51-2 was placed on standby.  51-61 (A. Scotchlas) was the first to arrived reporting a 2 car accident with two patients entrapped.

With this information R51-2 was also brought to the scene.  The rescue crews worked for approximately 20-30 minutes to free the victims by removing the doors & roof of the vehicle that was up against the wall of the bridge.  The victims were extricated and transported to CMC by Cottage with an assist from an LA ALS unit.  E61-4 provided fire protection and assistance was recieved from Station 42 (Vandling).

Casey Highway motorcycle fatality

July 12, 2009 - At approximately 5pm Cottage EMS & Rescue were sent to the Casey Highway near exit #7 for the reported motor vehicle accident with injuries.  Just after dispatch an EMS unit out of Wayne Co. reported on scene with "multiple severe injuries" and requested a helicopter.

With this information the EMS box was upgraded bringing additional Cottage EMS units, Waymart EMS and placing Wm. Walker EMS on standby.  Additional reports from the scene indicated a patient ejected over a 100 foot embankment.  The Rescue box was upgraded bringing R59 and R75.  Units arrived to find three patients, two motorcyclists in the roadway and one over the embankment.  EMS went to work packaging patients.  The patient over the embankment was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lackawanna Co. Coroner.  One patient was transported to CMC by Waymart EMS with a Cottage medic on board while the 2nd patient was taken to CMC by LifeFlight 3. 

The Rescue crew went to work setting up a haul system to remove the victim upon the completion of the the PSP investigation.   The victim was packaged, placed in a stokes basket and hauled to the roadway by the R51 and R75 crews. 

On the box:  R51, R59, R75, 51-9/CH1, 51-8/CH3, 51-7/CH2, E60, S62, E61-4, S51, 59-9, M504-5, Waymart EMS 1 & 2, PSP  Photos: Scranton Times coverage 

Units return to the Casey
July 13, 2009 - The first alarm units were sent back to the Casey Highway at exit #7 at approximately 0745hrs for the reported MVA, head-on with injuries.  Cottage EMS transported one to CMC and obtained one refusal while the rescue was assigned to traffic and hazard control.  On the box:  R51, 51-9/CH1, 51-8/CH2, E60, S62, PSP
 

Medics run plane crash The pilot of a lightweight plane was injured in a crash landing at a private air strip  near Stone Bridge Lane and Route 170 in Clinton Township Sunday afternoon at 17:47 hours.  Apparently the plane lost power on approach to the landing strip, slamming to the slide of a ravine, coming to rest on some downed trees. The pilot was still in the plane when emergency services arrived. The plane was immediately secured preventing it from sliding down the hill side into the stream below.

Once extricated by Rescue 75, the pilot was treated by Waymart EMS and Cottage ALS then transported to the hospital. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). On the response: Car 43, Engines 43 and 94, Rescue 75, Tanker 94, Waymart EMS and Cottage paramedics.   Photos courtesy of Station 43 

Carbondale blaze displaces 11
A fire early Friday displaced 11 people and sent one to the hospital with burns to his hands, the American Red Cross and the Carbondale Fire Department said.  More

Injured boy removed from woods
une 25, 2009 - Cottage EMS was dispatched to the area of the the Brownell Dam, access from Salem Mt. Road for the reported boy with a severe leg laceration, possible compound fracture.  The box was upgraded to a rescue box when Comm Center indicated that the patient was in a remote area.  une 25, 2009 - Cottage EMS was dispatched to the area of the the Brownell Dam, access from Salem Mt. Road for the reported boy with a severe leg laceration, possible compound fracture.  The box was upgraded to a rescue box when Comm Center indicated that the patient was in a remote area.

JRescue 51, 51 ATV, Stations 60 & 62 were dispatched.  51-9/CH1 and 51 Jitney were the first to arrive.  Crews loaded into the ATV and made their way back to the patient.  The patient was found to have the laceration but no fracture.  The injury was dressed by the Medics of CH1 and the victim was removed by the Jitney to the ambulance where he was transported to MCH.  On the box:  R51, 51 Jitney, 51-9/CH1, E60, S62, Rhino 62 (standby - R59)

Training, training, training
May 2009 - With a slightly lower than average call volume in the month of May the crews at Cottage stepped up the training.  A host of program were held and/or hosted, most focusing on fire activities, but some vehicle rescue also included.

3 certified at FF2 level Nick Racht, Amanda Greer and Steve Fish have been participating in the Fire Fighter II program hosted by Jessup Hose Co. #2.  Earlier in the month the three sat for and passed the written exam.   On May 16th the trio traveled to Bucks Co. for the practical exam.  All three passed the practical and are now certified as FF2.  Congratulations on all the hard work!!

Flowing water On May 18th, Rescue 51-2 was invited by Station 60 (Meredith, Carbondale Twp) to participate in a water movement drill including tankers.  Companies on hand were 51, 60, 59, 18, 58, & 24.  R51-2 was assigned to the hydrant for the tanker fill. On May 19th, the R51-2 crew headed to member Ron Tezzano's house for drafting practice from a pond.  Squad 62, Engine 42 and Rescue 51 were also on hand for this informative training session.

Vehicle Rescue: Station 43 (Browndale, Wayne Co.) is hosting the Delmar Fire Fighter I program.  They contacted Cottage and requested we assist with the vehicle rescue portion of the class.  The class was held on May 27.  Lead instructor Chuck Molinaro (Fire Chief 98, Moosic, Lackawanna Co.) was assisted by members of the Rescue in the basic vehicle rescue class.  While this training was underway, members of the Cottage Training Center staff were on hand at Station 61 (Fell Twp. Lackawanna Co.) for the annual CPR/AED training.  They have recently taken delivery of a Medtronic LifePak 1000 AED and are now updated on it's use.

New saw training: On May 30, the both Rescue's headed to downtown Carbondale with Ladder 51 (Carbondale City, Lackwanna Co.) to the former Singer Plumbing building to train with the new Husqvarna K-12 saw that was recenlty placed into service on R51-2.  Crew practiced cutting vent holes with that and the Cutter's Edge saw.

Additional vehicle rescue training planned:
Later this week, we are expecting delivery of a new set of Hurst ML28 Defender spreaders and a new set of Hurst rams.  Upon delivery, the crews will be back out on the training grounds familiarizing themselves with the new tools.  Photos of all training:
 

Close call in Area 61 April 15, 2009 0955hrs - Rescue 51 was sent along with Stations 60, 61 & 62 for the reports of a tractor trailer fire on Reservoir Rd. at Rt. 106 in Fell Twp.  Updates just after dispatch indicated that the trailer was filled with chlorine and other chemicals that were being delivered to the nearby water treatment plant.  The driver of the truck knew the potential disaster should the fire spread to the trailer, so he bravely disconnected the trailer from the truck and moved the truck forward, isolating the fire to the truck only.

Squad 62 and E61-4 arrived and deployed handlines to knock down the fire.  Upon the arrival of R51, the crew was tasked to control the run off, preventing it from going into the nearby Fallbrook Creek.  The crew then assisted with overhaul and cleanup as well as providing cascade services.  Cottage EMS was on hand for the standby.    On the box: R51, 51-9, E61-4, S62, E60, T60, T24, 24 PD, PSP.  Photos

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