The story started on Friday evening when Gordon Mott’s Tramp, a Treeing Walker Coonhound, was so intent on following a raccoon that she followed it right into one of the field drainage tiles that run under much of the county. She wriggled so far into the 10-inch clay pipe that she got stuck, leading Mott to spend most of the night trying to locate her and dig her out. Thankfully, she was wearing a GPS tracking collar, so he knew what area she was in, but by the early morning hours on Saturday, he’d been unable to retrieve her.

FVFD’s involvement started when dispatch radioed Fire Chief Rob Amick to see a man about a dog near the intersection of 500W and 500N. Initially, he had trouble locating Mott, but between Amick and the Sheriff’s Department, they were able to locate the worried owner and evaluate the situation, and it was quickly clear that this was going to require specialized resources that the fire department couldn’t provide on its own. This rescue, if it was going to happen, was going to require people with the experience and the equipment to search and excavate the drain pipe.

A-1 Whitaker was the first company to get the call and they responded with staff and equipment, including a camera that could run through the drain tile to locate the missing dog. Delmolino Plumbing and Watson’s Excavating soon had people on-site to help, and MCSD brought in an additional camera normally used by the SWAT team to assist in the location effort. Once rescuers had a clearer idea of Tramp’s location, Shawn Watson and his crew started carefully excavating a trench towards the trapped hound.

The rescuers worked through cold pouring rain, without even knowing, in the early stages, if Tramp was still alive. Hope and determination kept them going, and after excavating along about 60 feet of drain tile, they reached her. Some final hand digging and gentle persuasion from Mott brought the cold, tired four-year-old hound out into the daylight, where she was greeted by a crowd of smiling rescuers and one very relieved owner. Mott and Tramp were quickly transported out of the field to the road so that Tramp could be checked over by a local veterinarian, and all of the crews packed up and headed out of the muddy field with triumphant smiles, satisfied that their cold gray Saturday morning had its happy ending.

Photos by Scott Matson and Rob Amick of FVFD.

Overview of the Scene

Closer View of Tractor

FVFD was dispatched at 6:26 a.m. and on-scene at 6:32, responding with Battalion 30, Rescue 35 and Grass 36, and arriving to find the tractor inverted and leaking fuel in the middle of the street. Station 30 personnel worked quickly to control the fuel spills from both vehicles and then remained on scene to continue the spill cleanup until both vehicles could be removed from the scene.

Controlling the Spill

Controlling the Spill

The logistics of righting an upside-down 8000-lb tractor are somewhat complex, but the tractor’s owner enlisted help in the form of a forklift and driver from down the street at VMW. With judicious placement of chains, the recalcitrant tractor was soon back on its wheels.

First Stage... Flipping it on its Side

Next Stage... Pulling it the Rest of the Way Upright

Continuing Spill Cleanup

Heading Home...

Rescue 35 was first on-scene, finding a single story residence with heavy smoke showing from all sides and flames visible from the rear of the structure. A walk-around found heavy flames on the rear exterior wall near the back porch. Power couldn’t be disconnected at the house due to flames and overhead power lines, so the power company was requested to cut power at the pole. Richland Township’s Engine 48 was the first suppression unit on-scene and were directed through the front door for interior fire suppression. They made their way to the kitchen, where they found fire overhead in the attic. Units exited to the back porch and began exterior fire suppression in the rear of the structure. An additional hose was run to the attic where personnel worked to extinguish hot spots. Anderson’s Engine 4 arrived and cut a ventilation hole and began to ventilate the attic. The fire was extinguished and personnel waited for the arrival of the power company before beginning overhaul of the residence. Chesterfield FD was called to provide additional manpower, and Pendleton FD was requested to bring their insulation vacuum to remove attic insulation. All units were returned to service by 5:00 a.m. on Thursday.

Engine 31 arrived and started exterior suppression at the rear of the structure, and Engine 32 personnel began interior suppression working towards the garage. A propane tank explosion in the garage caused a brief pause in the interior attack, then an additional handline was brought in via the front door and the fire was brought under control. Personnel cut a ventilation hole in the roof and began ventilating the house, while others continued to extinguish hot spots. A gas dryer in the garage was found to contain charred clothing and the vent hose was burned through.

Station 30 was dispatched to a second structure fire and mutual aid was requested from Edgewood to assist with overhaul at the Tanglewood location. Alexandria FD provided an insulation vacuum to remove insulation from the attic in order to ensure all hotspots were extinguished, and all units returned to service at 3:55 a.m. on Thursday.

The day started with a mutual aid call to assist Pipe Creek with a barn fire at 9630 W 1000N. FVFD was dispatched at 5:08 a.m. and arrived at 5:22. Engine 32, Battalion 30 and tankers 33 and 37 responded to provide manpower and water supply. FVFD personnel assisted with controlling the fire and returned to service when released by command at 7:14 a.m.

At 7:28 a.m., just after returning to the station from the barn fire, units were dispatched to an accident with injuries and an inverted vehicle at 3622 W 700N. Battalion 30, Rescue 35 and Engine 32 responded along with Frankton Ambulance and arrived to find the vehicle on its side in the field. Personnel packaged the patient and provided care until Frankton EMS arrived and transported the patient to the ER. Station 30 personnel remained on scene until the wrecker arrived to remove the vehicle, and returned to service at 8:43 a.m.

At 7:47 p.m., Dispatch called Station 30 out again… this time for a residential structure fire at 7055 N 100W with flames showing through the roof. Units were en route at 7:48 and on-scene at 7:55. Engine 32 arrived first and found a fire in the attic with fire through the roof. Personnel entered the structure and began fire suppression, preventing the fire from spreading through the remainder of the house and containing it to the attic above the living room and garage. Assistance was provided by Alexandria Fire Department (engine, tanker and insulation vacuum), Richland Township VFD (tanker), Madison County EMA (traffic control and light tower), and Frankton EMS. Pipe Creek Township FD was on standby to provide coverage for FVFD if needed. Engine 31, Engine 32, Tanker 33, Tanker 37, Rescue 35, Grass 36 and Battalion 30 responded with a total of 19 FVFD personnel. Units remained on-scene for investigation and overhaul and were returned to service at 11:11 p.m.

At 9:24 p.m., while most of FVFD was at the 100W house fire, FVFD was dispatched to a report of a utility pole on fire at 600N and 600W. Battalion 30 responded from the fire scene and Pipe Creek FD responded from their standby position at Station 1. They found power lines arcing, contacted the power company, and remained on scene until AEP arrived, at which point Station 30 units returned to the structure fire.

Thanks to Evan Amick for photos from the 100W fire scene!

At 9:35 p.m. on April 6, Rescue 35 and Battalion 30 responded to a request for lifting assistance on 700N. The arrived on scene at 9:42, assisted EMS with the patient, and were clear of the scene at 9:52 p.m.

Continuing the run of busy days, Station 30 was dispatched at 6:40 p.m. on April 7 to provide mutual aid for Chesterfield on a residential structure fire at 3603 River Park Drive. Enroute at 6:46, tankers 33 and 37 arrived at 7:03 to assist with water supply and were clear of the scene at 7:14 p.m.