April 25, 2022 — Just after noon today Engine 26, Engine 17, Division 7705, and Medic 25 responded with CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit Engine 2771 for a single-vehicle traffic collision on westbound US 50 just east of Smith Flat Road. CHP - Placerville was at scene. Firefighters worked to disentangle and extricate the driver of the vehicle. The victim was in serious condition according to Paramedics and was transported by Medic 25 to the Placerville Airport where REACH Air Medical Services Calstar 3 air ambulance had landed to receive the victim. The patient was flown to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for treatment. 

 Vehicle extrication operations require specialized equipment and training. Due to the geographic distances covered by each of our engines, that equipment cache is replicated on every engine. When seconds count, it is impractical for Firefighters to wait minutes for the right equipment to arrive. The investment in specialty training and equipment is continuously necessary due to the high volume of vehicle collisions our Firefighters respond to and the challenging environments in which they occur.