The Ridge Fire District's Life-Saving Extrication
On the afternoon of September 3rd, on Middle County Rd in Ridge, NY, the Ridge Fire District was called to respond to a serious three-vehicle collision. As details unfolded, it became clear that this was a challenging and complex rescue, with one individual fully entrapped and in urgent need of assistance.
According to Chief Leedham, the accident scene was deeply compromised: every side of the vehicle was damaged, and the car was pinched against a guardrail. Despite these obstacles, the dedicated first responders quickly sprang into action, utilizing state-of-the-art HURST extrication tools. They employed eDraulics to access the vehicle, an e-ram to carefully push the dashboard, and e40 spreaders to create the space needed for safe extrication. Chief Leedham emphasizes that these advanced tools made all the difference: “If it wasn’t for those tools, we couldn’t have retrieved the patient as quickly as we did.” Remarkably, from the moment they arrived to the moment the patient was stabilized and transported, only six minutes passed.
This swift and effective response is a testament to the exceptional training and preparedness of the team, sharpened through ongoing practice and competition. Chief Leedham shares, “We pride ourselves in extrication. That is one of our strong points. We enter as many competitions as we can, and we have come in first numerous times. Our team really excels in the extrication part of the job.”
Chief Leedham also praises the reliability of HURST tools: “I have been in the fire service for 37 years. I have used HURST and I have used other brands. To me personally, you cannot compare the reliability, strength, and speed of a HURST. It is far more advanced than any other tool I have used or even heard of.”
Demonstrating true leadership and humility, Chief Leedham gives credit to every member of his team: “All members responded with professionalism, and everyone worked together as a team. Everyone did their job quickly and efficiently. And a huge shoutout to HURST for making our job a little easier every time we have to do something like this.”
When asked what advice he would offer to other departments, Chief Leedham’s response was clear: “Go big or go home. I would advise every department to get every HURST tool they can.”
Thanks to the relentless dedication of the Ridge Fire District and the skillful use of advanced rescue equipment, the patient is alive and on the path to recovery, a testament to the heroic work of these firefighters. HURST Jaws of Life is honored to recognize their bravery and expertise with the Green Cross Award.