Engine Crew Public Assist Hit By Tree

[The 2024 Summer Issue of Two More Chains focused on leadership and highlighted incidents in which firefighters who weren’t “in charge” suddenly needed to make leadership decisions and take action. This short summary of the “Engine Crew Public Assist Hit By Tree” incident—and its lessons—was one of these writeups that originally appeared in that Two More Chains issue.]

An engine crew preparing for PT is approached by a hiker needing help for their injured partner on a nearby trail beside a creek. The crew alerts dispatch of this need and responds to the trail to assist.

Dispatch had notified local resources which included a medical helicopter.

While assessing the patient, rotor wash from the helicopter causes a portion of a tree to fall and strike both the engine captain and the EMT, knocking them both unconscious and face-first into the creek.

Two second-year firefighters must manage the situation.

Is your seasonal firefighter prepared to run a similar incident?