By Ryan Hutton
Posted: 06/26/2009 01:51:04 AM EDT
North Adams Transcript
NORTH ADAMS -- It took city emergency crews roughly six hours to find a hiker who had lost his way on the Appalachian Trail and injured his ankle.
According to Fire Department Lt. Joseph Beverly, they received a 911 call around 11 a.m. from the stranded hiker -- whose name was not available -- that came via the Massachusetts State Police.
"The big thing was that the call came into the state police, and we had trouble getting exact coordinates off of it," he said. "So we set up a command post and began the foot search where he was reported to be, about three miles from Williamstown off the Appalachian Trail."
The search team of mostly Adams Ambulance Service personnel and two firefighters wound up hiking roughly eight miles all over the hillside searching for the man and were aided by a state police helicopter. The North Adams Fire Department also sent in its 4-wheel drive vehicle towing the Wilderness Rescue All-Terrain Transport -- an off-road rescue sled designed and built by members of the department. The Williamstown Forest Warden also chipped in by sending its own 4-wheeler to assist in the search.
According to Commissioner of Public Safety E. John Morocco, the helicopter obtained a visual on the man at about 2 p.m. on a rocky outcropping near Pine Cobble, but had difficulty guiding the rescue team to him. This difficulty was compounded by the helicopter running low on fuel by the end of the operation.
Rescuers
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attempted to contact the man’s cellular phone carrier to get a more exact location by using his cell phone signal. At one point during the rescue, the helicopter reported that the rescue team was within a half-mile of the hiker, but they still could not locate him.
The team finally found the man and brought him off the mountain at about 5 p.m., although the task was difficult because the man weighed a reported 380 pounds. The man was transported to North Adams Regional Hospital and treated.
Morocco said the rescue took so long because they just could not find the hiker.
"It’s difficult terrain and visibility was bad from the air," he said. "We got him though."
The North Adams Fire Department held a meeting immediately after the man was transported to the hospital to discuss what went well and what needed improvement with the rescue.
To reach Ryan Hutton, e-mail rhutton@thetranscript.com.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Firefighter honored
By Jennifer Huberdeau
Posted: 06/19/2009 03:03:38 AM EDT
Click photo to enlarge«1»North Adams Transcript
NORTH ADAMS -- A former city resident who used to travel along with the fire department photographing the blazes they battled has been named 2009 Firefighter of the Year by a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Nashville, Ga.
Rick Pennock, who currently lives in Georgia and works as a firefighter in Ray City, Ga., was recently honored for "his outstanding dedication to the Ray City Fire Department."
"He has been working with the media such as CNN, WALB Channel 10, The Berrien Press and The Valdosta Daily Times in an effort to help the public gain a better understanding what firefighters face," Ray City Fire Chief Robert Mikell said in a release. "He has also held media nights that actually let TV news crews and reporters train along side firefighters to help give them a feel for how things work." He added, "During the Georgia wildfires in 2007, Pennock was not only on the front lines battling the intense fire, he also documented the conditions that firefighters were up against. His photographs were viewed nation wide and helped our firefighters gain additional support from departments in surrounding states."
While in North Adams, Pennock was well known by area firefighters, having developed a relationship that gave him access to fire scenes that isn’t normally granted.
"A classmate of mine, Bob Costine Jr., mentioned to me our senior year that he was going to job shadow at the North Adams Fire Department," Pennock
said in an e-mail. "He said I should come along with him. So it was arranged and the ball got rolling from there. I did some video taping for the NAFD in 1987 & 1988. With the help of former Transcript photographer Nick Mantello, I purchased my first 33mm camera and began taking photographs for the fire department. At first all I was doing was documenting events and learning my way around the camera. Nick was more or less my mentor with this."
Pennock eventually took a photography course through the New York Institute of Photography, a decision he says he’s never regretted.
"One week after I finished I was contacted by 1st Responder News and was offered to work as a correspondent covering fire department events in its New England Issue," he said. "Working for 1st Responder allowed me to continue to document activities at the NAFD."
In 2003, Pennock and his wife, Sara, moved to Georgia so she could be closer to her ailing parents. He became a member of the Ray City Fire Department and has since started three programs, one of which was directly inspired by the North Adams’ S.A.F.E Program.
"Another mentor I had was NAFD Firefighter David Simon," he said. "He was an extreme believer in the S.A.F.E program for kids. It is his work that inspired me to start one at the Ray City firehouse. I also have to give credit to the rest of the NAFD firefighters who shared their experiences with me." In addition to creating the S.A.F.E Program, Pennock also created the Emergency Team, or E-Team, which is activated when extremely bad weather threatens the area. He also developed the fire department’s first Web site, which provides information about the department, along with updates from various weather services and a section for the S.A.F.E. program to help parents teach their children about fire safety from home.
Pennock credits his success to the influence of retired city firefighter Edward Richer.
"He was like a second father to me," he said. "He pushed and supported me to get out there and make a difference in the world. Without him none of this would have ever happened."
Pennock is the son of the Dorothy and the late John F. Pennock. His mother still resides in North Adams.
To reach Jennifer Huberdeau, e-mail juhuberdeau@thetranscript.com.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Responders express sorrow over EMT's death
NEAL P. GOSWAMI, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/17/2009 02:59:41 AM EDT
(Bennington Banner)
Wednesday, June 17
BENNINGTON — Emergency responders across the Northeast expressed sorrow Tuesday over the tragic death of a local EMT killed Monday afternoon when the ambulance he was driving struck a tree.
Dale R. Long, 48, was killed in the West Road crash that also sent a 60-year-old female patient he was transporting to Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center via helicopter with life-threatening injuries. A male paramedic riding in the back of the ambulance was treated locally and released, and a female paramedic trainee received treatment for serious, but non-life threatening injuries at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.
Bennington Rescue Squad Executive Director Bill Hathaway said emergency responders across New England expressed sorrow Tuesday over Long's death and offered their condolences to Bennington Rescue and Long's family.
"Dale's death is a profound loss for Bennington Rescue," Hathaway said. "We have been contacted by many EMS and public safety groups from around Vermont and New England, and the network of friends and colleagues who are reaching out to express their sympathies has been remarkable."
Hathaway said Long was well-known in the emergency services community because he "was so ingrained in EMS." "That was his life's work," Hathaway said. Long's colleagues plan to hold a memorial service in his honor, but are waiting for more information on the wishes of his family.
"Due to the outpouring of
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support from numerous fire departments, rescue squads and other emergency services from here and other states, I would imagine it would be a large gathering," Hathaway said.
Meanwhile, a memorial was erected Tuesday at the crash site. A simple, wooden cross surrounded by flower arrangements now marks the point of impact between the 2009 Ford E450 Osage Warrior ambulance and a large pine tree near the intersection of West and Hidden Valley Roads. The vacant, sunny crash site on Tuesday was a stark contrast to the previous afternoon, when many of Long's emergency services colleagues gathered at a chaotic scene under heavy rains, thunder and lightning to try to save him.
An American flag was lowered to half-staff Monday evening at the Bennington Rescue Squad's headquarters on McKinley Street. And an EMS flag at the Vermont Emergency Services Memorial in Pittsford also flew Tuesday at half-staff.
Bennington Police Chief Richard Gauthier said police were unable to determine the cause of the crash Tuesday. An autopsy conducted by the state medical examiner offered no clues, he said.
"The results that we have so far are inconclusive. They still have some toxicology to do," Gauthier said.
Toxicology results could help police determine the crash was caused by a medical condition, Gauthier said. Such tests are routine, and police do not suspect alcohol or drugs to be a factor, according to Gauthier.
The crash occurred when the ambulance veered right, causing the front passenger side of the ambulance to strike the driver's side front quarter panel of a 2008 Toyota pickup driven by William Hill, Police said. Hill was at a complete stop at the intersection of West and Pleasant Valley Roads.
The impact caused the pickup to spin clockwise, and the ambulance continued moving forward off the travel portion of West Road and into a large pine tree, causing "extensive intrusion" to the driver's seat.
Physical evidence collected at the scene could not explain what caused the ambulance to veer right. Bennington Police Sgt. Lloyd Dean, the department's accident reconstruction specialist, said he will be conducting second interviews with witnesses to try and gather more information. "It's a slow process," he said.
Served for a quarter-century
Long had served as an EMT in the area for about 25 years, spending time with both the Bennington and Manchester rescue squads. His dedication to the job was recognized at both the state and national level.
Hathaway said Long was named the Vermont EMS Advanced Rescuer of the Year in 1998. And he was recently honored as the Bennington Rescue Squad's member of the year, and won the American Ambulance Association's "Star of Life" award last month.
Vermont Sens. Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy met with Long in Washington, D.C., last month when he received the "Star of Life" award. Both senators on Tuesday called Long's death a tragic loss.
"To his family, to his friends and colleagues on the Bennington Rescue Squad and to the town of Bennington which he served so long and so well, I extend my most sincere condolences," Sanders said.
"Dale Long represented much of what is best about Vermont, much what we most honor in our communities. A quarter of a century ago he discovered not only that he could serve his community by working as an Emergency Medical Technician, but that such service could and did enrich his life immeasurably. Assisting others in need, serving the community, dedicating his life to the well-being of others: Dale's commitment mirrors the spirit that has always sustained our towns and our entire state."
Leahy, too, credited Long as being a representative of the best Vermont has to offer.
"As a Vermonter, I have always thought that members of our first-responder community represent the best of our state's tradition of service to others. Dale Long was a solid example of that tradition," Leahy said. "Dale Long had a superb 25-year career as a Vermont EMT, and I encourage all Vermonters to keep his family and colleagues in their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time."
Contact Neal P. Goswami at ngoswami@benningtonbanner.com
Posted: 06/17/2009 02:59:41 AM EDT
(Bennington Banner)
Wednesday, June 17
BENNINGTON — Emergency responders across the Northeast expressed sorrow Tuesday over the tragic death of a local EMT killed Monday afternoon when the ambulance he was driving struck a tree.
Dale R. Long, 48, was killed in the West Road crash that also sent a 60-year-old female patient he was transporting to Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center via helicopter with life-threatening injuries. A male paramedic riding in the back of the ambulance was treated locally and released, and a female paramedic trainee received treatment for serious, but non-life threatening injuries at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.
Bennington Rescue Squad Executive Director Bill Hathaway said emergency responders across New England expressed sorrow Tuesday over Long's death and offered their condolences to Bennington Rescue and Long's family.
"Dale's death is a profound loss for Bennington Rescue," Hathaway said. "We have been contacted by many EMS and public safety groups from around Vermont and New England, and the network of friends and colleagues who are reaching out to express their sympathies has been remarkable."
Hathaway said Long was well-known in the emergency services community because he "was so ingrained in EMS." "That was his life's work," Hathaway said. Long's colleagues plan to hold a memorial service in his honor, but are waiting for more information on the wishes of his family.
"Due to the outpouring of
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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support from numerous fire departments, rescue squads and other emergency services from here and other states, I would imagine it would be a large gathering," Hathaway said.
Meanwhile, a memorial was erected Tuesday at the crash site. A simple, wooden cross surrounded by flower arrangements now marks the point of impact between the 2009 Ford E450 Osage Warrior ambulance and a large pine tree near the intersection of West and Hidden Valley Roads. The vacant, sunny crash site on Tuesday was a stark contrast to the previous afternoon, when many of Long's emergency services colleagues gathered at a chaotic scene under heavy rains, thunder and lightning to try to save him.
An American flag was lowered to half-staff Monday evening at the Bennington Rescue Squad's headquarters on McKinley Street. And an EMS flag at the Vermont Emergency Services Memorial in Pittsford also flew Tuesday at half-staff.
Bennington Police Chief Richard Gauthier said police were unable to determine the cause of the crash Tuesday. An autopsy conducted by the state medical examiner offered no clues, he said.
"The results that we have so far are inconclusive. They still have some toxicology to do," Gauthier said.
Toxicology results could help police determine the crash was caused by a medical condition, Gauthier said. Such tests are routine, and police do not suspect alcohol or drugs to be a factor, according to Gauthier.
The crash occurred when the ambulance veered right, causing the front passenger side of the ambulance to strike the driver's side front quarter panel of a 2008 Toyota pickup driven by William Hill, Police said. Hill was at a complete stop at the intersection of West and Pleasant Valley Roads.
The impact caused the pickup to spin clockwise, and the ambulance continued moving forward off the travel portion of West Road and into a large pine tree, causing "extensive intrusion" to the driver's seat.
Physical evidence collected at the scene could not explain what caused the ambulance to veer right. Bennington Police Sgt. Lloyd Dean, the department's accident reconstruction specialist, said he will be conducting second interviews with witnesses to try and gather more information. "It's a slow process," he said.
Served for a quarter-century
Long had served as an EMT in the area for about 25 years, spending time with both the Bennington and Manchester rescue squads. His dedication to the job was recognized at both the state and national level.
Hathaway said Long was named the Vermont EMS Advanced Rescuer of the Year in 1998. And he was recently honored as the Bennington Rescue Squad's member of the year, and won the American Ambulance Association's "Star of Life" award last month.
Vermont Sens. Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy met with Long in Washington, D.C., last month when he received the "Star of Life" award. Both senators on Tuesday called Long's death a tragic loss.
"To his family, to his friends and colleagues on the Bennington Rescue Squad and to the town of Bennington which he served so long and so well, I extend my most sincere condolences," Sanders said.
"Dale Long represented much of what is best about Vermont, much what we most honor in our communities. A quarter of a century ago he discovered not only that he could serve his community by working as an Emergency Medical Technician, but that such service could and did enrich his life immeasurably. Assisting others in need, serving the community, dedicating his life to the well-being of others: Dale's commitment mirrors the spirit that has always sustained our towns and our entire state."
Leahy, too, credited Long as being a representative of the best Vermont has to offer.
"As a Vermonter, I have always thought that members of our first-responder community represent the best of our state's tradition of service to others. Dale Long was a solid example of that tradition," Leahy said. "Dale Long had a superb 25-year career as a Vermont EMT, and I encourage all Vermonters to keep his family and colleagues in their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time."
Contact Neal P. Goswami at ngoswami@benningtonbanner.com
Friday, June 12, 2009
Accidental Education
(Monday, June 8,2009) Students at Hoosac Valley High School recently witnessed a mock accident at the school to encourage awareness of the dangers of drunk driving. Members of the Adams and Cheshire Fire Departments,North Adams and Adams ambulance services and a Life Flight helicopter participated in the drill. All photo's taken by Gillian Jones / North Adams Transcript.
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