PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — A fire truck was struck while providing barrier protection at a crash scene Thursday night.
Firefighter Close Calls reported that the engine, from the Ritchie (Md.) Volunteer Fire Department, was parked in a barrier position when it was struck from behind. Fire Chief Marc Bashoor said they had just arrived at the scene where a rescue squad and ambulance were already working a minor vehicle crash.
The first arriving units were positioned in front of the scene due to confusion over a flat tire. They stopped on the other side of the road rather than the minor accident, Chief Bashoor said.
The engine company was positioned and two of the five firefighters dismounted to determine whether their assistance was needed. Just after they dismounted, a van struck the rear end of the engine.
Units on scene extricated the entrapped van driver, who was transported to the hospital in serious condition. The three members on the engine were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, but will be OK.
The engine sustained a significant amount of damage.
“Apparatus can be replaced, but lives cannot,” a Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department Facebook post said. “We all have memories that will last a lifetime, but the most significant memory will be all of the lives saved by proper apparatus placement.”