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City Fire Department Does Trench Rescue in Weston; Three Hours of Work Sees Man Safely Removed

By Jeff Toquinto on March 13, 2019 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

A situation that could have turned out to be disastrous instead turned out with a rescue on Monday thanks to the efforts, the training and specialized equipment of the Bridgeport Fire Department.
 
Bridgeport’s staff was called out to assist in a trench rescue in Weston, according to Fire Chief Phil Hart. Hart said Capt. Greg Pigg and three members of the department took the call to assist the removal of an individual caught in a precarious situation in Lewis County.
 
“The call came in as individuals were working in a ditch and it partially collapsed. It had the guy pinned about 12 to 14 feet below the surface from the knees down,” said Hart. “This was a very dangerous situation.”
 
Fortunately, Bridgeport had two things needed for the job, said Hart. The two things were training and equipment.
 
“We’re the only ones in the area that have the combination of both and we were very happy to be able to assist,” said Hart. “I’m certain other organizations have people trained, but maybe not the equipment due to its cost.”
 
Hart said emergency personnel from the Weston Fire Department did have the area stabilized when they arrived. He said their work was critical as it kept the situation from getting worse.
 
“It took them three hours to successfully removed the individuals. The first hour was spent shoring up the sides of the area where the individual was in place to insure there would be no further collapse,” said Hart. “It took about two hours to dig through the dirt and the mud to bring the man in question out of the area where he was trapped.”
 
Hart said the man in question was flown by Healthnet from the scene for observation. There was no word on the condition.
 
“We’re able to provide the assistance because the city sees the need and knows the same situation can happen here. They’ve allowed us to purchase the equipment and train with it,” said Hart. “(Monday), we saved a man’s life so, to me, everything paid for itself. I can tell you in most situation such as this it’s not a rescue, it’s a recovery.”
 
Bridgeport sent a utility truck and a trench trailer to the scene. They worked in collaboration with other responders for the successful operation, said Hart.
 
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the actual scene that was secured for Monday's rescue. 


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