Tuesday September 28th, 2021 @ 2:01PM Gettysburg FD , Barlow Co.22, AREMS & Littlestown A202 were dispatched to Devils Den @ 820 Sickles Ave in the Gettysburg Battlefield for a male fall victim in the rocks. Deputy Chief 1 (Temarantz) & MICU54-6 arrived on scene to find bystanders & US Park Rangers out with a male patient who had fallen between a 2 1/2 - 3ft wide opening of rocks and down into the rock crevice approximately 8-10 feet in an unresponsive state. AREMS made patient contact and began an assessment of injuries and ALS intervention. Deputy Chief 1 established the Devils Den Command and upon arrival of apparatus and personnel a extrication plan was devised with Assistant Chief 1 (McGonigal) being assigned as Operations to begin execution of the rescue plan. Wellflight 2-8 dispatched to provide air transport along with Maryland Trooper 3 being requested as an additional resource for hoisting operations if needed. Due to the limited access of the patient and maneuverability within the rocks, several extrication plans had to be revised, causing an extended extrication time, until it was decided to use a haul system utilizing a roof ladder and additional rope rescue hardware. The patient was removed and care transferred to Wellflight 2-8 personnel for transport to York Hospital.
We would like to Thank all of our Mutual Aid partners including the US Park Rangers for their assistance during this incident along with the bystanders who provided initial care of the injured subject until the arrival of Emergency Personnel.
Photos courtesy of Darryl Wheeler, Gettysburg Times