A Job Well Done!

Wednesday May 28, 2008 started with a 3rd alarm in Cambridge at Box 413 for 108-110 Amory Street for three buildings going good. A-10 responded with Paul Boudreau and Kevin Sullivan and operated until 17:45 serving three cases of water.

After leaving the Cambridge fire and while stuck in gridlock traffic in the East Cambridge area I monitored Newton fire transmitting a box for a train derailment off of Dorset Road with numerous calls being received for a trolley collision and people trapped with the vehicle also on fire. Upon hearing the initial size-up from the OIC, I knew this was going to be an extended operation and Kevin Sullivan and I responded to the scene. Upon arrival at the Brae Burn Golf Club Staging Area we were directed to set up at the derailment site next to the 13th green by the staging chief from Needham.

 We set up the misting fan, tent, tables, chairs, water, cold towels, Gatorade dispenser, coolers, the generator and lighting to provide rehab to the firefighters and other emergency personnel involved in the accident mitigation. As the incident progressed we knew this was going to be a long process and it would probably be a an all night operation. Kevin Sullivan in his typical resource searching initiative made a connection with the Manager of the Country Club and had ice, water, coffee and sandwiches delivered to us via golf cart from the country club. During the incident we were constantly restocked by the Red Cross and the country club with Gatorade, ice and other snacks. Mike Worley from Quincy fire was there from the beginning and stayed with us and provided much needed assistance to us. We served and rehabed about 100+ workers at the scene.

The crew of A-10 worked as the primary rehab for the incident and performed flawlessly. We worked with AMR and the Red Cross as a team and provided a much needed resource with professionalism. As the night wore on Tom Leone came to the scene to relieve me and Kevin Sullivan and Kevin made the decision to stay with Tom, they were there until 03:30 this morning.

This is another example of a true TEAM EFFORT and I am very proud of the A-10 crew.