ATV Rescue Case and New Home Brush Fire
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
Photo courtesy of Trenton–Dade Fire and Rescue – Multiple units rescued a man trapped by an overturned ATV.
First responders and 911 dispatchers stayed busy on April 12 when responding to a rescue call and a brush fire, along with other medical calls.
In the early afternoon, a 911 call in the South Dade district led to multiple units responding to a man trapped by an all-terrain vehicle. South Dade Fire and Rescue, Dade County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Forestry, Memorial EMS, Dade County Mountain Rescue, and Trenton-Dade County Fire all responded to the area of Highway 11 and Byrds Chapel Lane where the man had been surveying the area for tree removal.
The patient’s injuries included a fractured collar bone, but they were not life-threatening. His arm was trapped by an ATV in a wooded area away from main roads, and he was alone. He was able to call 911, but he could not free himself.
EMA Director Alex Case reported that dispatchers remained on the phone with the subject throughout the search efforts. He explained that once the dispatchers shared the latitude and longitude of the incident, responders made their way to the patient on foot and by ATV.
Case explained, “Dade County Mountain Rescue is another division we have, with specialized training using ropes, accessing caves, odd angles, cliffs, and situations like that,” noting that these types of rescue missions occur most often in Cloudland Canyon.
While the rescue search was concluding, New Home Fire, Davis Volunteer Fire Department, and Georgia Forestry (with Trenton-Dade County Fire assisting) responded to a brush fire on Sand Mountain. Multiple structures were in danger, but only one shed was lost. Case reported, “The conditions were dry and windy. Anytime we get a brush fire call, the dispatchers ask if there are any structures near it.”
These incidents occurred during National Dispatchers Week, which recognizes 911 dispatchers for their integral role in emergency response. Case said, “The dispatchers are true first responders, getting us coordinates, staying on the phone with callers.”
Trenton-Dade Fire and Rescue shared, “Thanks to the members in Dade County Emergency Management (911) Daniel Raley and Kari Sledge for their hard work helping with directing us with accurate coordinates to help locate the patient in the ATV accident all while taking care of multiple 911 calls and also for assisting everyone at the brush fire with helping direct multiple fire units to the multiple houses in danger this afternoon.”