East Bridgewater Firefighter Peter Lee, Firefighter Michael Rosa, Lt. Mathew Foster, Firefighter Patrick McKenna, Firefighter Jacqueline Giroux and Deputy Fire Chief Craig Winsor were honored with commendations from the Select Board at its April 28 meeting for their actions to save an injured tree worker during a March 26 response. (Photo Courtesy East Bridgewater Fire Department)
EAST BRIDGEWATER — Interim Fire Chief Kevin Nord is pleased to share that members of the East Bridgewater Fire Department received commendation awards from the Select Board on Monday for their efforts in saving an injured tree worker’s life last month.
On Wednesday, March 26, at approximately 10:59 a.m., East Bridgewater Fire responded to a 911 call reporting an injured tree worker in the backyard of a home on Northridge Drive.
The tree worker, who was secured in a safety harness, had climbed the tree using climbing spikes and was operating a chainsaw when a falling piece of the tree kicked back and broke his arm. The victim suffered some blood loss and was semi-conscious when crews arrived.
The tree worker was suspended about 45 feet off the ground.
There was no access for a ladder truck as the tall oak tree was secluded in a wooded backyard area.
Deputy Fire Chief Craig Winsor responded to the scene with an engine, tower truck and an ambulance but quickly determined that the situation called for a specialized rescue.
As incident commander, Deputy Chief Winsor called in the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team (PCTRT), which includes firefighters from numerous departments, including two East Bridgewater firefighters.
The East Bridgewater Fire Department’s response included Lt. Mathew Foster and Firefighters Peter Lee, Michael Rosa, Patrick McKenna and Jacqueline Giroux.
The PCTRT utilized a 35-foot ground ladder, lashed it to the tree vertically and then used ropes, pulleys and harnesses to reach the tree worker. PCTRT member Ben Ferreira from Rochester FD climbed to the high point of the ladder, secured the victim in a harness and helped to lower him to the ground.
East Bridgewater Fire treated the tree worker at the scene and transported him to a nearby landing zone. There, he was then transported via medical helicopter to Tufts Medical Center in Boston.
On Monday, April 28, the East Bridgewater firefighters who participated in the rescue received commendation awards from the Select Board for displaying courage and dedication during an emergency.
“These heroic actions, despite great risk to you, resulted in lifesaving efforts rendered to a citizen in distress,” the commendation states.
East Bridgewater Police also assisted at the scene by securing the area so that the firefighters could make the rescue and directing traffic.
“One of the most important parts of this call was watching so many different departments come in at a moment’s notice,” Lt. Foster said. “Within four to five minutes, we had a guy from Rochester, who happened to work down the street, here from the tech rescue team to help us out. There were Chiefs and firefighters from all over. Watching rank become secondary to getting the guy out of the tree was huge.”
Interim Fire Chief Nord commended the East Bridgewater Fire crews for their efforts during the rescue.
“This rescue was a complete team effort between the Fire Department, Police Department, EMS and the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team,” Interim Chief Nord said. “Deputy Chief Winsor quickly determined the need for a specialized rescue and developed a plan that resulted in a quick and safe rescue of the injured worker.”
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