Facebook Feed
Washington Township Fire Department
The Washington Township Fire Department is a combination department composed by volunteer and career firefighters.
Storm response operations can present significant hazards, even when performing tasks that may seem routine.
Recently, crews from Engine 10 responded to a downed tree blocking a roadway and reports of arcing electrical wires following severe weather. While working to clear the roadway and assess the hazard, another tree suddenly fell, narrowly missing one of our firefighters. The video attached to this post captures just how quickly the situation changed.
As the tree came down, it also struck utility lines on the opposite side of the street, causing additional arcing and downed wires. In a matter of seconds, what began as a roadway obstruction evolved into a potentially life-threatening situation that could have resulted in serious injury or electrocution.
Thankfully, the firefighter was not injured and was evaluated by EMS on scene as a precaution.
This incident serves as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change and how dangerous emergency response work can be. Downed trees, unstable limbs, damaged utility lines, and changing weather conditions all create risks that responders must manage in real time.
We are often asked why the fire department responds to incidents involving trees in the roadway. The answer is simple: keeping roads open ensures emergency vehicles can access neighborhoods and residents can receive help when they need it. During storm events, our firefighters work closely with our Public Works Department, whose crews are also out in the challenging weather helping clear roadways and restore safe travel throughout the community. It is truly a team effort.
During this storm event, our crews handled numerous calls for service, including downed trees, downed wires, a motor vehicle crash, and a rescue assignment involving a vehicle occupied by a woman and her child that became trapped in floodwaters. Fortunately, they were able to safely self-rescue and were not injured.
We are grateful this close call ended without injury and proud of the professionalism displayed by our crews throughout a busy and challenging night. Incidents like this reinforce the importance of training, situational awareness, and never becoming complacent around storm-related hazards. They also remind us that every call—no matter how routine it may seem—has the potential to change in an instant.
Please remember that when you encounter downed trees, flooded roadways, or downed wires, stay clear of the area and notify emergency services. Turn around, don’t drown. No destination is worth risking your life, and no roadway obstruction is worth jeopardizing your safety.
Thank you to all of our firefighters, EMS personnel, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, utility crews, and Public Works employees who worked throughout the storm to keep our community safe.
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
