Forsyth County Performs Successful Trench Rescue story by PJ Kellam pictures courtesy of Forsyth County FD CUMMING, GA – February 23, 2007 – At 11:14 AM, Friday, February 23, 2007, the Forsyth County Fire Department was dispatched to a person trapped by a trench cave in at 1785 Unity Loop in the City of Cumming, Georgia.   Cumming is a city of about 5000 and is located approximately 40 miles north of Atlanta. Battalion Chief 1, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 5, Rescue 12 and Squad 12 were all dispatched to the scene.   Engine 2 was first to arrive, established command and began to size up the situation.  Lt. Everett found that he had one male patient inside a small trench that had been dug immediately adjacent to a house under construction.  The trench had collapsed and trapped the patient against the foundation 6 to ten feet below ground level.  Engine 2’s crew immediately began shoring up the area around the patient to prevent any more dirt from falling in around him.   When Battalion Chief Chapman (BC-1) arrived he immediately assumed Incident Command.  Lt. Chapman and Lt. Head, both being trench certified were assigned to make patient contact and work in operations.  Lt. Head was in charge of the crews removing dirt while Lt. Head did a size up of the situation to evaluate the best way to proceed. Upon the arrival of Squad 12, Lt. Filimon was assigned as lead on rescue operations.  EMS was also given access to the patient to assess the patient and begin medical treatment.  Proper medication was given and airway management was established.  While a ram fan was placed in the hole to provide ventilation, gas monitors were put in place to check air quality. Once all of the proper shoring was in place, firefighters were placed in the hole to remove the remaining dirt and free the patient.  Forsyth County Medical Director Dr. Orris arrived on scene to provide any assistance needed. A water department vacuum truck from Forsyth County was requested and upon arrival their hose system was used to siphon dirt from the area in a much faster fashion that by hand.  Eventually the patient was lifted from the trench and transported by the medic unit to Life Net 8 for air transport to Grady Hospital in Atlanta.   The condition of the patient is unknown however his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.