At 19:38hrs the Stafford FD and other TRT departments where dispatched to assist the Rosenberg FD with a male trapped as a result of a trench collapse at a construction site. Upon arrival a male subject was found approximately 12′ below grade trapped from the thighs down in thick clay like dirt. Upon arrival of TRT resources trench boards and struts were placed and Lieutenant/Paramedic Mark VanBerschot entered the trench with Richmond BC Brian Lewis to assess the patient and establish an IV. Once initial patient care and assessment was completed rotating crews of 2-TRT personnel hand dug the dirt while other personnel above grade removed it with buckets. During the incident multiple rotations of personnel took place, each working 20-minutes, until the patient was freed. A stokes basket was then lowered into the hole, the patient packaged and a 4:1 manual haul system using the crane of Rescue 22 as a high point used to remove the patient to grade level where the patient was turned over to FBCEMS and then PHI Air Medical. From time of dispatch to patient extricated was over 3-hours on a hot and humid evening. Following completion of assignments all units returned to service. During the incident the teamwork of the 4-TRT departments comprised of personnel from the Stafford, Missouri City, Richmond and Rosenberg Fire Departments was instrumental in a successful outcome.
