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Tinker firefighters don't draw a line

  • Published
  • By Danielle Gregory
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  The Tinker Fire Department always stands ready to respond to any emergency call for help. 

Recently they responded to a vehicle accident with injuries outside of the Lance Gate. Their technical skills and professionalism was impressive as they demonstrated how the fire department assists their next-door neighbors in the surrounding community as well as serve the base. So far this year, Tinker Fire Department has responded to approximately 25 emergency situations like this. 

"We help Midwest City on mutual aid calls, we don't really get a lot of crashes, but when we get the call we will definitely go," said Robert Emholtz, Tinker fire captain. 

When the 911 call came into the Emergency Communication Center from a gate security guard, Tinker Emergency Services never hesitated. They jumped into action and rolled out. 

"On this particular call, the gate guards dialed 911, so the call when straight to the Tinker ECC. Even though that's Oklahoma City's jurisdiction, we got the first notification. " said Captain Emholtz. 

They arrived on the scene of a single-car accident with injuries on Douglas Boulevard, south of the Lancer Gate. The vehicle hit a tree on the east side of the street at a high speeds. The driver was out of the vehicle, alert and conscious, sitting in an Oklahoma City police vehicle with no injury complaints. Her passenger was trapped in the front seat between the dash and the floorboard. 

Once on scene, the crew assumed command and worked on getting the victim free. It took several people and the "Phoenix jaws of life," before the person was removed. The victim had a broken right arm, and possibly a broken right leg. She was transported to University Hospital by Midwest City Ambulance for further treatment.