The Golden Hour
Firefighters remove a vehicle door to gain access to a crash victim.
Firefighters remove a vehicle door to gain access to a crash victim.
 
The vehicle is stabilized to prevent any movement.
The vehicle is stabilized to prevent any movement.
 
Members continue to remove the vehicle doors.
Members continue to remove the vehicle doors.
 
Doors were removed using several methods.
Doors were removed using several methods.
 
All members worked with the "Jaws"
All members worked with the "Jaws"
 
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Rescue 22 equipment.
Rescue 22 equipment.
 
Rescue 22 at work.
Rescue 22 at work.
 
Firefighters work to enter the engine compartment.
Firefighters work to enter the engine compartment.
 
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By Member Todd Mazur / Lauren Mazur
June 23, 2015
 

We have all had that same sinking feeling. Someone you care about has been involved in a car accident. Your heart starts to race and your stomach tightens until you hear that they are okay. We have this feeling because for so many years hearing word of an auto accident has brought tragedy.

It was not until the 1960s that we understood why such tragic outcomes occurred so often. It was then that Dr. R. Adams Cowley was conducting research on accident victims experiencing shock and attempting to improve their survival at the famous Baltimore Shock Trauma Unit. Through his research Dr. Cowley was able to identify that patients who arrived at the hospital within one hour of their injuries had a significantly higher chance of survival. From this study emerged the phrase the “Golden Hour,” which is still widely used in the emergency medical community. The landmark publication set off a firestorm of innovations including aero-medical transports. Firefighters and rescue personnel did their part by learning how to extricate crash victims from their vehicles as quickly as possible. Initially this was done with basic hand tools. The manufacturing industry contributed to the effort by introducing hydraulic tools commonly known as the “Jaws of Life”. Fire departments also organized special apparatus designed to respond to rescue situations.

On Monday, June 22 the members of the West Grove Fire Company gathered to learn new techniques and to practice established tactics. The goal of the department is to be able to allow EMS providers access to patients within minutes of arrival. Chief Felker and Lt Forde stressed that each scenario will be different and the rescue team should plan several options on how to free the victims from the wreckage. Members gained experience in evaluating scenes, preparing multiple extrication strategies and most of all keeping patients and firefighters safe.

The Borough of West Grove and surrounding communities are blessed to have two dedicated rescue units known as Rescue 22 and Rescue 12. These units are equipped with state of the art rescue tools. Many members of our department have gained additional training to become extrication specialists in addition to their fire training. In the end it was very clear, when the “golden hour” clock starts ticking in West Grove, the West Grove Fire Department is ready to do its part!

Photos by Todd Mazur