June 28, 2012

6:30 AM

At 5:01 am, firefighters from St. Johns Station 22 and University of Portland Station 26 responded to reports that a man was pinned underneath a vehicle. Incident command immediately recognized that if additional equipment was necessary, it would be a lengthy response for the next nearest unit which prompted dispatching an additional truck company from the Pearl District Station 3, as well as a unit from Scappoose Fire.

Fire crews arrived and found a mid-20's male patient, pinned underneath the front axle of a minivan on NW Alderview Rd. They immediately assessed the scene and used the Holmatro spreader tool (sometimes referred to as the jaws of life) and wood blocks called cribbing to jack the van up off of the patient. They were then able to slide him out onto a waiting gurney. The extrication process took 9 minutes from the time of arrival. The patient was transported to Emanuel Hospital with serious injuries.

Station 22 covers one of the largest response areas in Portland, from the St Johns neighborhood to Cornelius Pass Rd at Skyline Blvd. This unique district requires longer than average response times and presents unique hazards such as steep, winding roads with frequent motor vehicle accidents.