January
19, 2004
Child
rescued in Waldorf MD
Courtesy
of Waldorf VFD
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Units from Waldorf,
MD, responded for a report of a small child trapped in a pond behind a
residence on Council Oak Drive. While units were enroute, Communications
advised several Sheriffs Office units were on the scene with a small child
that had fallen through the ice into the water approximately 65 feet from
shore and they were attempting enter the water. Minutes later, Rescue Squad
3 and Engine 32 arrived on the scene to find the child still in the freezing
water. Several CCSO officers had attempted to swim out to the child but
were unable to get more than a few feet from shore before turning back.
Lt. Phil Stevens and F/F Andrew Rimm had donned the cold-water suits while
enroute in the back of Rescue Squad 3 and immediately entered the water
upon arriving at the scene. |
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While the inflatable
boat was being prepared, a lifeline was attached to Lt. Stevens and he
successfully swam out to the child with a life preserver. Lt Stevens stopped
just short of the child and threw the life preserver ahead, however the
child advised he was unable to move and could not reach it. Lt. Stevens
then swam up behind the child and was able to grab onto him safely. As
soon as Lt. Stevens grabbed the child, the firefighters onshore pulled
them both back to safety by the lifeline. The child was immediately turned
over to the waiting EMS units with signs of severe hypothermia. As the
ambulance and Medic crews worked on the child, Engine 32 responded to Chaney
Ball Field where MSP Trooper 2 had already arrived on scene. Ambulance
38 transported the child to the landing site where he was then transferred
to the waiting helicopter. The child, along with his mother, was then flown
to Children's Hospital Center in Washington DC |
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