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Site Updated September 23, 2010 |
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Darien Fire Rescue hosted its first School Bus Rescue class in Darien on May 17th and 18th. Fire departments from all surrounding cities and counties were invited to learn and practice rescue skills that are needed to be proficient in this special type of rescue. Nineteen students participated in the sixteen hour class. Students learned about the special tools and skills needed to have a successful rescue, the classifications of school busses and types of commercial busses, the strong and weak points of the structural design and safety concerns of fire dept personal and victims. Darien Fire Rescue wishes to thank the following, McIntosh County school board, Dr. Hunter, Dr. Richardson, Richard Baker Transportation Director, Mitch Foster Mechanic, Ray Parker EMA director, and GEMA instructors Chris Wainwright and Mike Pace.
Pictured above are Perry Rhoden, David Parker, Andrew Groover, Thomas Wilson, Tyler Hall from Long County Fire Dept; Donald Couch, Ivey Sarvis Jarad Hoffman from Hinesville Fire Dept.; Joey Stanley and Bobby Breeden from Fleming Fire Dept.; Dan Simpson from Jekyll Island Fire Dept.; Douglas Goforth, David Gardner, Brain Feeney, Troy Spannuth, and David Brancato from Darien Fire Rescue and GEMA instructors Chris Wainwright and Mike Pace. Not pictured David Fernwalt and Butch Loiselle McIntosh County EMS |
Published in the Darien News - May 2008 |
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Darien Fire Department gives superb response
Letter to the Editor:
Editor: I am writing to publicly thank the City of Darien Fire Department for their superb response, service and professionalism during my recent fire scare. I have told many people that the firefighters were at my house almost before I hung up from calling them.
Fortunately, my attic fire was a false alarm. The firefighters showed real skill in that some of their number entered the house to investigate, while others remained outside to investigate from the exterior. When the situation was diagnosed as not being an attic fire, I said how silly I felt. The firefighter very kindly and reassuringly told me not to feel silly, because it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Once again, I cannot reiterate enough how appreciative I am of the City of Darien Fire Department’s response, shill and professionalism. This experience has made me even more proud than usual to be a resident of Darien. I rest comfortably knowing any possible future fire alarm will be quickly, efficiently and skillfully handled.
Virginia Wisham Darien |
Published in the Darien News - March 19, 2009 |
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Two die following single-car accident
By Sandy Pharr Thanks to the quick action of law enforcement, five children were saved from drowning after being trapped in a car that sheared off Interstate-95 in the wee hours of Easter Sunday morning.
Two adults were killed in the accident, and another adult was rescued. At presstime, the relationship between the eight occupants was unclear.
The family was returning home to Hillside, N.J., after attending a funeral in Florida. The 2006 silver-colored Toyota Sienna in which they were traveling left the roadway about 2 a.m., plowed into an embankment, and overturned in the marsh between Cathead Creek and the Darien River.
A passerby reported the accident to the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Department, and Deputy Michael Johns arrived to find water pouring into the partially-submerged vehicle. After determining that the occupants were in danger of drowning, the officer radioed for assistance. Fire departments from Darien, and Glynn and McIntosh counties arrived.
Deputy Johns, along with Deputy Robert Francisco and Staff Sergeant Andrew Altman of the Darien Police Department pulled two nine-year-olds, two seven-year-olds, and one fouryear- old from the wreckage through a shattered window. The children, who were all related, were transported to the hospital in Brunswick by McIntosh County EMS. Two of them were transferred to Memorial Medical Center in Savannah.
The driver, Kavita Ali, 30, and front seat passenger, Danny Ali, 39, were pronounced dead on the scene.
Another adult, Shazeeda Hakk, of Bloomfield, N.J., was transported to the hospital, where she was treated and released.
The Georgia State Patrol will continue to investigate the crash. |
Published in the Darien News - April 16, 2009 |
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City police car totaled; two occupants injured
Emergency vehicles responded in force to an accident that occurred on Hwy. 17 about 5:30 Monday afternoon.
Darien City Police Officer Joshua Bain was driving a cruiser southbound, when he suddenly made a U-turn just south of Two-Way Fish Camp and headed back toward the city.
Witnesses speculate Officer Bain, 27, was going back to assist a young woman whose car was stranded on the side of the road after being rear-ended.
When Bain made the U-turn, John Ricker, 39, of Townsend, driving an 18-wheeler, slammed on the brakes and veered over the centerline in an attempt to avoid hitting the police car, according to witnesses. The truck, which was also southbound, crashed into the driver’s side of the cruiser, pushing the vehicle into the marsh.
Bain was knocked unconscious. His passenger, Dillon Howard, 17, the son of Darien Police Chief Donnie Howard, was injured but coherent. Both men were pinned inside the vehicle.
A multitude of law enforcement and emergency vehicles from McIntosh and Glynn counties arrived on the scene, including two fire units equipped with Jaws of Life.
The two men were extracted from the vehicle. Howard was transported to the hospital in Brunswick by McIntosh County EMS. Bain was transported to Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick, and later transferred to the hospital in Savannah. Their conditions were uncertain at presstime.
Witnesses described the truck driver as "shaken up" and "pale as a sheet," but not badly injured.
Georgia State Patrol took the lead in investigating the accident, however no information was available Tuesday morning. |
Published in the Darien News - May 5, 2009 |
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Firefighters who recently took a “Crash Victim Extrication” class are Ray Parker, Mitchell Foster, John Bronson, Christina Bronson, Charlie Moody, B. J. Sikes, Jr., Doug Shirah, Daniel Moore, Joseph T. Wilborn, Theodore F. Patronis, Justin R. Loiselle, Britney A. Merriman, Lynn Walter, Brian Fenney, Troy Spannuth, Jonathan Walter, David Brancato, Charles Evans, Jr., David Gardner and Ronnie Howard. |
Published in the Darien News - June 11, 2009 |
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Learning to pull victims from wrecked car |
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Firefighters from the Townsend, Shellman, Meridian, Northside and Darien fire stations recently attended a 16-hour class that taught them how to safely remove victims from wrecked vehicles. The “Crash Victim Extrication” class, which is offered every year and required every three years, was taught by instructors from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
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“These instructors bring personal experience and lessons learned to the classroom,” said McIntosh County’s EMA Director Ray Parker. “Those who took the class should be commended for understanding the vital need for training in this area.” Most of the firefighters take the class every year, so they can stay on top of the steady number of changes in cars and equipment, Parker said. |
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Darien Police Officer Joshua Bain and Dillion Howard were extracted from the police vehicle by the Jaws of Life. (Photo by Shelia Vaughn.) |
