With summertime in full swing in the northern hemisphere, motorhomes are hitting the highways and pose an unique situation when those vehicles are involved in an accident. First, take a look at the body structure of motorhomes. The pictures below show the different types of construction. The construction used varies by manufacturer. Alumium and laminated structures are commonly used.
In the YouTube video below, Newmar Expert Chris Anderson takes about RV/Motorhome wall construction.
Consider that most RV/Motorhomes are built on top of a truck platform chassis. Depending on the age and type of construction, the vehicle could be difficult to safety stabilization. Rescuers need to exercise extreme caution when working around or inside of these vehicles.
Why is this important? Take a look at the photo that the Harford Volunteer Fire Company posted on their Facebook page. If patients needed to be extricated from this vehicle, stabilization could be challenging. On top of that, the number of patients could classify as a mass casualty incident.
Newmar Corporation has a great page with the difference between Class A, Class B, and Class C Motorhomes.
Overturned Tractor-Trailer Extrication
Check out the overturned Tractor-Trailer, confirmed entrapment, and power pole down that Elizabethtown Fire Dept Station 74 had earlier today.
Large Vehicle with Heavy Entrapment
The Washtenaw County Technical Rescue Team recently assisted Milan Area Firefighters with this complex extrication. Team members assisted Milan Firefighters and utilized HURST Jaws of Life and Paratech to extricate the heavily entrapped driver quickly.
Heavy Rescue
Large Animal Rescue
Working with their past experince, the Patterson Fire Department’s completed their 4th horse rescue in the past several years.
Horse Rescue
Per the post from the Patterson Fire Department’s Facebook page:
At 0732, 25th of August 2021, the Patterson fire department was dispatched for a public assist to a local farm. Patterson’s heavy rescue, 22-6-1, arrived on scene and found a 31-year-old male horse, named “Dozer”, in distress. He had apparently fallen and managed to get himself stuck between a rock and a fence line. At first, the crew attempted to assist the horse in getting up by shifting his position. It became apparent that additional equipment was going to be needed to help Dozer out since he had become too exhausted to get up on his own. After some discussion, it was established that the best plan of action was to use a Paratech bipod system. It would be used as an artificial high directional with TU-32 griphoist’s assistance to lift the horse up. With a lot of sweat and effort, the crew was able to lift the horse up onto his feet. After some much-needed fluids and rest, we were happy to see Dozer trot away, unassisted.
An interesting fact, this is Patterson Fire Department’s 4th horse rescue in the past several years, all with successful outcomes.
Photos below from Andrew Akin
