The 2007 deer season began on Saturday morning, and for the West Grove Fire Company as well. Ambulance 22-3 was dispatched early Saturday morning to an address near the intersection of Gurnsey and Hilton Roads. The ambulance crew, along with a Paramedic from Medic 94, were taken about 200 yards into the woods to discover a hunter who had fallen during his early morning climb to a deer stand, on the very first morning of the bow season. The hunter, who had fallen some distance, was seriously injured and had apparently been on the ground some two hours before being able to place a cell phone call for help. The ambulance crew requested assistance, bringing additional volunteers along with Engine 22. Crews packaged the patient who was carried out by six firefighters and placed in a pickup truck. During the rescue, Ambulance 22-3 requested a medical helicopter, with Captain 22 serving as the Landing Zone Officer. The patient was transported to the helicopter by pickup truck, where his injuries were further evaluated and the patient was further treated. The patient was transferred to SkyFlightCare for the rapid aeromedical trip to Christiana Hospital. Chief 22 commanded the scene.
