| The City of Norwalk Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle accident in the southbound lanes of I-95 just south of the Route 7 interchange just after 10pm Tuesday, October 14th. The accident involved a privatized street sweeper and a construction vehicle with an actively deployed traffic attenuator system due to the left lane closure. The driver of the street sweeper was pinned in vehicle and was extricated by NFD Local 830 Firefighters and later transported to Norwalk Hospital for treatment. The driver of the construction vehicle was also transported to Norwalk Hospital for treatment.
Engine Co. 2, Rescue Co. 2 , Tac 1 (Traffic Attenuator), and Car 2 (Shift Commander) responded with a total of 10 Norwalk Professional firefighters. Norwalk Hospital Paramedics responded with two ambulances and Supervisor’s Fly car.
The accident is currently under investigation by the Connecticut State Police.
This incident highlights the dangers that DOT, construction, and utility crews and along with our firefighters, EMS personnel and law enforcement face on our high speed roadways every day, and illustrates the benefits how a traffic attenuator can absorb or deflect the energy of an impact to protect those operating on the roadway.
NFD Local 830 in conjunction with the City of Norwalk FD proudly introduced our new highway blocking attenuator truck back in January of this year.
Tactical Support Unit 1, with the radio designation “TAC 1.” Is a specialized attenuator truck that is cross-staffed by the members assigned to Rescue Co. 2 and responds out of NFD HQ (Station 2) to all incidents in Norwalk on I-95, the Merritt Parkway, and Route 7 Connector. To date, it has already responded to numerous incidents.
This concept has seen a rise in popularity on the West Coast and in Texas for sometime as incidents involving police, fire, EMS and DOT vehicles being struck while operating at emergency scenes on high speed roadways has been on the rise nationwide. The NFD was the first in the Northeast utilize this innovative piece of equiptment to protect Norwalk Professional Firefighters as our members frequently operate at emergency scenes on the highway.
Additionally, our mechanics division have also equipped all NFD apparatus with the “HAAS Alert System” to notify oncoming drivers of compatible vehicles about the presence of incoming responding emergency vehicles or as they approach an emergency scene. Both TAC 1 and the HAAS system are proactive steps taken by the Norwalk Fire Department and Local 830 to protect our firefighters.
Despite the dangers we may face, your Norwalk Professional Firefighters are here for you! 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! |
