East Sunrise Highway [3-11-12]

Freeport Police were the first to respond to a motor vehicle accident [with aided] in front of Home Depot [160 East Sunrise Highway] on the evening of March 11th. Multiple fire department units heard this transmission and began to alert FireComm, who officially dispatched the call to the FFD at 16:22 hours. Engine 216, Ladder 217, Rescue 217-2, and Ambulance 219 responded to the scene. First arriving units were met with two SUVs, one pinned occupant, and many more aided in the east bound lanes of Sunrise Highway. First Assistant Chief Baer arrived on scene and immediately assumed command and requested the presence of more ambulances to the scene. Meanwhile, members of Engine Company put a dry line into place while Truck Company powered up their tools to free the trapped passenger. As per the Chief's request mutual aid responded to the scene in the form of ambulances from Merrick, North Merrick, and Bellmore Merrick Volunteer Ambulance Corps as well as two County Ambulances [one of them 2377]. Nassau County Emergency Services Unit 2423 also responded to the scene to assist in the extrication and to pull the Toyota Rav4 away from the Suzuki SUV to facilitate the extrication process. Due to the high number of aided in the accident, the Chief declared a MCI [mass casualty incident]. At least five, and as many as seven people, were transported to area hospitals with various injuries. Second Assistant Chief Kistela [2101] as well as Chiefs from the mutual aided departments were on scene.