OUR PATCHOGUE FIRE DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEERS

I received a phone call from a friend of mine, inviting my wife and I to attend a Lions Club Breakfast, at the Patchogue Fire Department, on Jennings Avenue. The "Breakfast" was held in the Hall, which is located on the second floor of the Patchogue Fire Department.

As I casually glanced toward the window, I saw a small group of people reacting to something that was going on outside. My curiosity got the best of me and I too was compelled to see what was going on! When I looked outside I saw the members of the Patchogue Fire Department, practicing and honing their skill at extricating a person who has been trapped in a vehicle, during a car crash.

I have seen this type of operation a few times on TV, but from my vantage point on the second floor of the Fire Department, unexpectedly looked upon this exercises in a different light. I did not see a sterile TV screen, but instead I saw my neighbors, freely giving their time, practicing a skill that would indeed be used to help people that get involved in serious car crashes. What I saw was a group of men that have demonstrated that they "give a damn" for someone else other than themselves! These firemen were "putting their money where their mouth is;" while I was eating breakfast, they were all working on our behalf, without pay!


The training session went as follows:
The hydraulic jaws are inserted into the seam of a car door. As you can see the door is already starting to separate from the car.
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(Click on the image to get a larger photo)

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In this photo the jaws have forced the door to a point where it is just about ready to fall off of the car.
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(Click on the image to get a larger photo)

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Finally the front and rear windows have been cut straight across, to allow the car roof to separate from the car. The fireman are about to lift the car roof up, and fold it over toward the trunk; this will allow removal of a trapped person.
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(Click on the image to get a larger photo)

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This is a video of a part of this operation.
(Left click the arrow below to start the video.)
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We, as residents of Patchogue, should also "put our money where our mouth is" and support our local Fireman and Ambulance Company. The next time you see the Patchogue Fire Department, selling Christmas Trees or Easter plants, it might be a good idea to lend them a helping hand, by extending your support!


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Reader Comment:

As a proud member of the Patchogue Fire Department I thank you for bringing what we do to the public's attention.... But to be totally correct, as soon as the Patchogue Fire Department opens up the car with their heavy tools, the extrication of the patient and all patient care becomes the responsibility of the men and women of the Patchogue Ambulance Company. While our 2 agencies work together to insure the public's safety, the Patchogue Ambulance Company rarely receives any credit in the media for the job these dedicated folks do. The Patchogue Ambulance Company responds to 2400 calls a year, its members are trained as EMT's and Paramedics and save countless lives in our proud 75 year history!
Folks in Patchogue should rightfully be proud of both of these fine agencies.

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Webmaster Comment:
I totally agree with you, the Patchogue Ambulance Company does indeed deserve credit for the needed service that they provide. My wife required the services of the Ambulance Company last year.

To this day I am still impressed at the concern and professionalism displayed by the EMTs and Paramedics from the Patchogue Ambulance Company. I can distinctly recall the feeling that I had as they entered my house; they presented themselves as friends and neighbors! My wife's healing began even before she was taken out of my house on a stretcher! A female EMT spoke just a few magic words to my wife; she said Mrs. ..... you have such a lovely home! After that my wife displayed a sense of relief, knowing that she was not in the hands of some entity, but in the hands of concerned "neighbors and friends."

Please contact davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com
we must give them the credit that they deserve; send photos and text.

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