Medical Alarm 8-7. At about 0730 hrs, Paramedic 89 and Station 8 were dispatched for a medical emergency at 675 Quaker Hill Road (Lehigh Portland Cement) at the coal mill. The "Lehigh Emergency Response Team" was first to arrive where they found an outside contractor employee, conscious, having a medical issue inside of the coal mill structure.
As Paramedic 89's crew arrived, the patient went unconscious and Rescue Squad 8's crew, along with Lehigh ERT, began devising a plan to extricate the patient from the area. The crews used a backboard and stokes basket to move the patient from inside of the mill area to an elevated platform that was about 40 feet off of the ground.
A manlift and rope lowering system were used to safely get the patient to the ground; and eventually to the Paramedic Unit. Crews were able to complete the extrication in about 40 minutes. The patient was transported to Carroll Hospital Center.
Units:
PM-89, RS-8, Chief 8
Mutual Aid:
Lehigh Emergency Response Team
Lehigh provided a manlift to assist in the extrication. Photo: Chief C. Green
Rescue crews begin to lower a medical patient to the ground during a High Angle Rescue at Lehigh Portland Cement Company. Photo: Chief C. Green
Crews attached a rope lowering system to the stokes basket for added safety while lowering the patient to the ground. Photo: Chief C. Green
