Lost in the storm

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- At the peak of Hurricane Beryl’s destructive advance across Montgomery County Texas, East Montgomery County Fire Department, with assistance from Porter Fire Department and MCHD EMS were dispatched to a critical incident involving a tree on a home with reported trapped victim.

As Fire Department crews and MCHD EMS approached the neighborhood entrance they were met with significant devastation that was blocking all access to the incident. For nearly a mile some made the trek on foot to determine the significance of the situation as other crew members worked to clear trees and make access with equipment. Often as they progressed, more trees would fall across the road behind them.

When crews arrived at the residence they were met with a horror! A young person who was lying in bed had been pinned to the floor of their mobile home when an oak tree nearly 36 inches in diameter fell across both legs just below the pelvis.

Recognizing the extent of the entrapment Command requested units from The Woodlands Fire Department Technical rescue team for assistance. Upon our arrival Rescue 101 crew members assessed the progress and quickly got to work! Additional members of WFD Tech rescue were assembled and responded to the scene. Crews from all agencies, including a Texas DPS officer worked seamlessly and quickly to free the individual who was then transported to the hospital by MCHD EMS for treatment.

The Men and Woman who worked this incident are the same ones who serve across Montgomery County Texas every single day! Each shift we arrive to work and will potentially respond to an infinite number of different scenarios. This day and this scene was no different, multiple members of each department contorted their bodies to get underneath the home, putting their lives at certain risk! Although we worked quickly to stabilize the structure and make a safe working environment it was clear the danger we faced. The eyewall of Hurricane Beryl was upon us, multiple large trees swayed around us as we worked in 8” of water. In fact, early in the incident a second tree did fall onto the structure, luckily it was small enough to not affect the rescue or injure the patient further or your first responders. All personnel remained vigilant but continued to work unbothered by the risk.

The rescue was completed in 61 minutes after crews from Rescue 101 arrived on scene and were given a briefing. All agencies were involved, carting thousands of pounds of necessary equipment 150 yards to the scene. We utilized lifting struts and wood blocks to stop the crush of the tree and to stabilize the mobile home as its cinder block footings were crumbling under the stress. Once stabilized the lifting struts were pressurized to their maximum, providing some relief to the victim but not enough space to free the legs. Crews then worked under the structure with chainsaws and other tools to cut a hole through the floor directly under the foot half end of the bed. This proved more difficult to achieve as there were multiple layers of decking and lumber present under the mattress. Crew members laying on their backs in the mud and standing water were forced to use the chainsaw about a foot above their face and work through the layers, popping and cracking sounds made evident the risk. Once the hole was cut the bottom half of the mattress was pulled down to create just enough space to free the victim’s legs.

The awareness of this incident was literally “lost in the storm”. On a typical day an incident of this nature would be followed closely by many. While we labored, hundreds of other first responders worked tirelessly on thousands of other incidents across the county. Many of these incidents were critical as well. Thousands of citizens were suffering from the destruction. If there is one thing I’ve learned in my years of service to Montgomery County, is that this incident could have happened anywhere and the crews who responded would have acted just the same, working through the risks to achieve the goal… as we do every day!

Amazingly there is so much glory buried in such devastation, as morning comes the lucky ones of us will be headed home to face our own hardships that were created by this storm while others may be remaining to complete their 48 or even 72 hours of service. As we recover, do not allow each other to be lost in the storm of life. We all watched today as Fire, Dispatchers, EMS, Police, Hospital staff, Linemen and other utility workers, Parks departments and ordinary citizens came together, loved their neighbors, and moved mountains to get through the day!

Keep all these people in your hearts as the coming days will prove almost as challenging. Be carful cleaning debris, remain vigilant of unstable trees and the coming heat risk, ask for help, offer help, keep those generators outside of the home while running… but most importantly: Just care for each other!!

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