| Sayville Fire Department volunteers treated Sayville Summerfest visitors to a demo of their auto extrication techniques during the afternoon. To the surprise of people hanging around in town that evening, firefighters were called to an alarm for a fully involved minivan fire in front of Rite Aid on Main Street. Both the simulated motor vehicle accident demo and the real vehicle fire response provided the firefighters with an opportunity to show their stuff to the public.
The purpose of the extrication demo was not only to allow the community to view a variety of exciting rescue tools and techniques, but to stress the importance of always wearing your seatbelt. As firefighters pushed the car onto its side to complete setup of the scenario for the demo, Rescue Randy, the partially ejected and unrestrained passenger, was completely thrown through the window with his head pinned under the car. Instead of being part of the rescue scenario, Rescue Randy was presumed to be a DOA victim. The spontaneous reaction to the car being overturned and pinning Rescue Randy's head drew gasps from the crowd, but it sure was a graphic reminder of the importance of wearing your seatbelt.
As the extrication demo began, Rescue Captain Dan Karl looked on and gave the audience a play-by-play account of the rescue work being demonstrated and reinforced the importance of wearing a seatbelt…not that the fate of Rescue Randy wasn't enough of a reminder! The crowd cheered as a baby in a car seat was safely removed from the rear seat through the side door that faced the sky. Again, cheers were heard when the unrestrained driver, who had been thrown across the seat vacated by poor Rescue Randy, was safely removed through the roof cut open by the firefighters.
During the evening, firefighters were called to respond to an alarm for a fully involved minivan fire in front of Rite Aid. The column of smoke and flames drew a huge crowd of onlookers armed with cameras and camera phones to record the scene. Firefighters rolled up onto the scene with an engine within three minutes of receiving the alarm and did what they are trained to do under the direction of 2nd Asst. Chief Thomas Pantano. Sayville's volunteer firefighters quickly, efficiently and safely extinguished the fire. Once again, firefighters heard claps and cheers from the public for their good work.
Unfortunately, the minivan was totaled. Fortunately, firefighters' quick response and strategic hose positioning kept the fire from spreading to the building. The intense heat and fire left a few scars on Main Street, though. Tree limbs were scorched up to 20 feet high and numerous windowpanes at Rite Aid were cracked.
Not only did the volunteers put on the auto extrication demonstration and put out a vehicle fire, they also gave out fire safety information at the Summerfest and responded to two more alarms that day...all in a day's work for Sayville's brave volunteer firefighters. |
