On Wednesday, January 7th at approx. 11:15am, NAVAC Ambulance was returning from the City of Syracuse when they came up on a 3 vehicle accident.  Two cars and a NYS DOT snow plow had collided and come to rest against the center retaining wall just after the bridge over the Northern Lights traffic circle in the northbound lane.

The accident caused serious injuries to one driver.  With some initial confusion on the location, North Syracuse FD was dispatched to the scene.  With further information communicated to the Onondaga County 911 Center it was determined to be in Mattydale's district.  With the delay in dispatch, North Syracuse was continued to the scene.

Mattydale Car 2 (Chief Gunther) went in route and was the Incident Commander of the scene.  MFD Rescue 1 (Chief Falise) went in route shortly after.  While enroute, NAVAC advised incoming units that extrication would be required and the roof would have to come off one car.

Mattydale R-1 and North Syracuse R-7 arrived together and worked quickly and efficiently together to stabilize the vehicle and remove the patient in a very short time.  NSFD E-4 arrived and handled hazards and put a handline in service for protection. 

All units were on scene for about 30 minutes before returning to service.

(thanks to NAVAC Paramedic Christopher Louge for the pictures)

FF/EMT Teri Holcomb monitors/calms the patient while crews start removing the roof

Mattydale and N. Syracuse crews work to fold the roof to the front of the vehicle

Notice the widespread use of reflective vests worn to protect the firefighters from traffic...this is now a federal law on highways

With the roof removed crews enter the car to assist moving the patient to the ambulance stretcher.