Hot Shots for 2006

Vehicle vs. Semi Truck with one fatality

October 30th 2006 - Units from Special Operations 31 responded to assist Rescue Engine and Rescue 47 in a late night car vs. semi truck collision on State Road 7, just north of Boynton Beach Blvd.  When the car struck the semi truck trailer it sustained major damage, killing the passenger and entrapping the driver of the car in the wreckage under the semi trucks trailer.  Crews on scene had to remove the roof, passenger door and other parts of the car to gain access of the driver, who was later transported to Delray E.R. by Trauma Hawk in critical condition.

Units on scene: RE47, R47, RE31, R31, SO31, EMS4, DC4, DC9, BC2

Partial Building Collapse in Boynton Beach

August 07, 2006 - Station 31 members respond to a building collapse in Station 41 zone involving a Waste Management truck and a security guard overhang.  The Waste Management truck was pulling away when the dumpster he was hauling got caught up with the overhang of the guardhouse of the community and came crashing down on the cab of the truck.  Special Operations crews stabilized the remaining structure and extricated the driver out of the truck and was transported to Delray Community E.R. for minor injuries.

Units on scene : RE41, R41, RE31, R31, SO31, EMS4, DC4, DC9

Suspicious package found

July 31st, 2006 - RE46, R46, RE31, R31, SO31, DC9, EMS4 and P.B.S.O Bomb Squad ran a suspicious package at a local temple. P.B.C.F.R. Special Operations Team runs with P.B.S.O. Bomb Squad on all call outs and helps the team set up and handle any Hazardous Material decontaminant as needed. The two teams have a very good working relationship not seen in most areas.

       

Photos and Story By: DJ Manger

Early morning fire in the City of Lake Worth

June 30th 2006 - Station 31 crews responded to a commercial structure fire in the City of Lake Worth response zone.  Station 31 units were the first on scene to find a single story abandoned quad-plex with heavy fire and smoke coming from the front of the structure and from the roof.  The boys from 31 quickly knocked down the fire while checking for extension in the other unoccupied residences.  A special congratulation goes out to probationary firefighter Ken Johnson for his first fire with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

Units on scene RE31, R31, SO31, RE35, R35, RE36, DC9, EMS9

An alligator visits the crews at Station 31

June 6th 2006 - On a not so slow day at the 31 house, the boys where hanging out between calls when some locals came up to the station and advised the crew of a gator next to one of the local TACO buses.  After investigation they found a 7 ft. gator hanging out in the bushes and doing what any good public servant would do they called a local trapper to help with our little friend and no one lost any fingers or toes in the process.  It is bad enough that Station 31 has a rat problem, but now we have to worry about gators????

Story and photos by DJ Manger

Single Engine Airplane Accident

May 18th 2006 - Units from Station 35, 43, and 31 responded to a small aircraft accident at the Lantana airport to find the airplane upright with two injured patients and a shaken up dog.  Both patients were flown to Delray E.R. for injuries sustained during the rough landing.  Witnesses stated the plane was about to lift off the ground, when the pilot suddenly lost control and the plane made an emergency landing.

4th Of July Came Early With A House Explosion!

April 18th 2006 - Approximately 8:15pm, crews, homeowners and bystanders heard a loud explosion up to 5 miles away from a house that had exploded due to the possibility of the homeowner building fireworks for the upcoming 4th of July.  Crews from P.B.C.F.R Stations 46, 32, 35, 31, 43 and 36 responded to several 911 calls of a loud explosion to find a large shed fully involved and approx 50' radius of fire around the shed where debris landed and caught two vehicles, a boat and the yard on fire.  RE31 was second due and assisted RE46 crews with extinguishment and once the fire was out, RE31 crew paired back up with the rest of Station 31's crews and went from firefighting to an E.O.D. assist with the P.B.S.O. Bomb Squad.

Channel 5 WPTV video, click here

Horse Rescue

March 28th 2006 - The boys from Station 31 responded to assist Station 46 crew's with a horse rescue when Cy-Boy became stuck in a dried up pond.  Special Operations crews used Brush 46 as a anchor point and a  9:1 hauling system which allowed for the sedated horse to be pulled out of the mud with little effort with no harm was done to the horse.

Propane Tank Burn-Off

March 17th, 2006 - (St. Patrick's Day)  Station 31 responded to a propane tank leaking at Okeeheelee Park at the BMX track.  The tanks was leaking from a hole at the bottom, which could not be safely patched, so Special Operations 31 crews along with Station 32 and Brush 34 performed a burn-off operation which tool about two hours to complete.  BMX participants waited outside the park during the procedure and were very happy to be let in for the first night of competition with a new track.  Sorry... no hot dogs tonight!

Story and pictures by J. Nelson

Multiple Semi-Truck Accident on US27

March 7th 2006 - Crews from Station 31 traveled approx. 1 hour west to assist Belle Glade and South Bay Fire Departments in a 13 vehicle accident mostly involving semi trucks which possibly was caused by heavy dense fog to free a semi truck driver that was pinned in his truck by the guard rail.  Due to the drivers arm being pinned by the guard rail and his extensive injuries, a trauma surgeon and nurse were flown from Delray Hospital for a possible arm amputation to free him from the wreckage.  After several hours of extrication, the driver was flown to Delray Medical Center to be treated for his injuries and then later released several days later with all his extremities.

Fire in the City of Lake Worth

January 15th 2006 - Station 31 B shift was called with automatic aid to the City of Lake Worth for a residential structure fire.  Rescue Engine 31, Rescue 31 and District 9 arrived with the City of Lake Worth's Engine 92 to find a two story apartment complex with light smoke coming from an back apartment. on the first floor.  Station 31's crew pulled a attack line off the City of Lake Worth's engine and made a quick attack to the fire that was located in the back bedroom.  All occupants were out of the apartment and were accounted for.

Units on scene: E92, RE31, R31, RE35, R35, E43, R43, RE36, R36, EMS9, DC9, BC3, and SO31