Long Distance Rescue

For anyone who's been in the fire service for any period of time, be it career or volunteer, you can attest to the fact that no matter where you are or what you're doing you are the "fire/rescue service". While vacationing with family and friends in the Great Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, TN., you expect to keep yourself and others safe from harm. Assistant Chief Michael W. Kehne, EMS Captain Sondra E. Kehne, EMT Michelle R. Beaton, FF Michael Powers (Libertytown Volunteer Fire Department), and I Deputy Chief Brendan T. Beaton were relaxing on the rear porch of our cabin soaking up the last moments of the Smoky Mountains. We had just watched a small rain storm move through the area when there was a large commotion just below our cabin on an adjacent street. Soon people were running down the street below saying that a vehicle had gone down over the steep mountain side next to a cabin. The five of us immediately sprung into action because that's what we do, we help people in distress. Upon arriving at the scene, we found a single vehicle down the mountain side approximately fifty to sixty feet down and resting on a tree. The only occupant was out of the vehicle upon our arrival. Our first priority was to make access to the occupant and assess the condition. Assistant Chief Kehne and I made our way down the steep grade ever so slowly finally accessing the patient and doing a quick assessment. Soon the local law enforcement from Gatlinburg was on the scene to assist us in our efforts. The officers informed us that the Gatlinburg Fire Department's Squad was on the way. We made contact with the first arriving officer from the Gatlinburg Fire Department and the Captain informed us that Rescue 1 was on the way however, it was minimally staffed due to several incidents in their area at that particular time. We continued to assess the patient, personnel top side assisted the rescue truck when it arrived by setting up a hauling system with a stokes basket. The patient was fully immobilized and placed into the stokes basket for removal to the awaiting EMS crew. They then transported the patient to an area hospital for further evaluation. We spoke with the Captain after the rescue and the Gatlinburg Fire Department was very appreciative of our assistance with this rescue due to the fact that their resources were extremely busy that evening leading to a minimally staffed unit. We all just did what we were trained to do and were happy to help our fellow fire service brethren as well as the public at large.