On Wednesday, August 8^th, 2012, Platoon 1 responded to two separate incidents occurring at the same time at Sleeping Giant State Park.

The first was a hiker who was injured in a fall on a side trail off the main Tower Trail. This patient suffered a significant hip injury and was packaged and removed by Engine 5, Car 4, and AMR.  The patient was removed with help from a Connecticut State Parks ATV due to Hamden Fire’s ATV being utilized for another incident happening in the quarry.  This patient was transported to a local hospital by AMR for treatment of his injuries.

The incident simultaneously occurring in the quarry was a climber who was “free-climbing” up the steep cliff with a friend and was struck by a large piece of falling rock.   The climber suffered a significant hand injury.  The climber was stuck about 100' up on the Quarry cliff and was unable to climb up or down due to his injuries. The injured climber along with a 2nd uninjured climber were placed in harnesses and belayed down the Quarry by Squad 1 and Rescue 1 with assistance from E5 and AMR.  This patient was also transported to a local hospital by AMR for treatment of his injuries.

These incidents are examples of somewhat “routine” situations at Sleeping Giant State Park for the Hamden Fire Department.  Crews are challenged right now by access issues into the quarry section of the mountain due to bridge construction on Tuttle Ave. All Quarry access is from River Road through a temporary access way made by the bridge work contractor. The 4x4 Polaris Ranger ATV quartered with E5 is a great asset to fire personnel and has proved its worth on multiple occasions.

More information on the incidents can be found by clicking on the following links:

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_haven_cty/firefighters-rescue-two-at-sleeping-giant

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/2-Injured-at-Sleeping-Giant-in-Hamden-165459026.html

http://hamden.patch.com/articles/another-rescue-at-sleeping-giant