Engine Damaged and Medic Equipment Destroyed in Overnight Crash

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO

Just after midnight, Sunday, July 6, firefighters were alerted to a possible apartment fire in the 4500 block of Dallas Place in Temple Hills. One of the engines dispatched on the call was Paramedic Engine 842 (PE842) from the Oxon Hill Fire/EMS Station in Glassmanor. While en route to the call, PE842 was making a left turn from St. Barnabas Road onto Dallas Place when they were struck in the right rear compartment by a civilian vehicle. This same vehicle was reported to have just passed another piece of responding fire apparatus at a high rate of speed back near St. Barnabas Road and Branch Avenue. Firefighters estimate there were more than 100' of skid marks visible on the road.

There were no major injuries. The driver of PE842 was taken to a nearby hospital for a checkup. As per our standard operating procedures the driver of the fire apparatus will undergo post-crash screening.

The driver of the civilian vehicle was also transported to another nearby hospital for a checkup.

The Prince George’s County Police Department investigated the crash. Results of their investigation were not yet available.

PE842 is a “paramedic” engine with a member of the crew being a certified medic riding on-board. The engine also carries advanced life support (ALS) equipment on-board for the medic to use if needed.

The ALS equipment was stored in the compartment that was struck by the civilian vehicle. The majority of this equipment was destroyed from the impact. This life saving equipment included a Lifepak, a 12 lead EKG, used by paramedics to evaluate and diagnose a patients heart rhythm, vital signs and is used to defibrillate a patient in cardiac arrest. This is an extremely valuable unit not only for the life saving capacity but also for the value of the unit itself. A replacement EKG is valued at $25,000. The total estimated loss in ALS equipment is about $30,000 and another $20,000 to $30,000 in damage to the engine itself.

The Oxon Hill Station has a reserve pumper that has been placed in service. A Paramedic Supervisor was able to put together another set of ALS equipment for the engine so that advanced life support function can continue to be provided.

Paramedic Engine 842 was one of five 2012 engines purchased at a value of $525,000 each.