New Market Career and Volunteer Members Acknowledged at the 3rd Annual Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Awards
 
By Fire Chief Benjamin Nalborczyk
March 11, 2014
 

On Tuesday March 11th, 2014 Career and Volunteer Members were recognized for their efforts at the Trench Rescue Incident on September 24th, 2013, each members was recoginzied with a Bronze Medal of Outstanding Performance. It truly means a lot to each member career and volunteer to receive recognition for their efforts on this incident.

The write up for the incident was as follows:

"One of the most complex incidents in the history of New Market was on September 24th's Trench Rescue in the Coldstream Section of Lake Linganore. Just after 3:00 p.m. multiple units were alerted to a worker trapped between pipes in the trench at the construction site near Eaglehead Drive. As municipal water continued to flood the trench, first responders from Company 15 worked quickly to asess the situation and stabilize the scene. Crews directed construction workers to disable all running equipment, and worked to ensure no citizens or rescue personnel would fall victim to the situation.

The incident and response called for action and decision making outside standard trench rescue response, including SCBA to protect the patient's airway, placement of a PFD on the patient, and utilizing a brush truck to draft water from the trench.

Under the extreme pressure and threat, the firefighers of Company 15 demonstrated heightened proficiency, communication, and teamwork. They worked to ensure a successful outcome for the patient as well as the safety and emotional well-being of the construction crew.

Congratulations to all involved.