Firefighters Rescue Construction Worker from Trench Accident

At 1055 hrs. the Milford Fire Department 911 Emergency Operations Center received a telephone call reporting a construction accident at 396 West Mayflower Place, a construction worker was struck with a steel support and was injured twenty (20’) down inside of a trench. Dispatchers quickly sent Engines 1, 3, 4, and 6, Tower 1, Rescue 1, Car 4 and the Technical Rescue unit to the scene.

When Engine Company 4 arrived they were directed to the trench where a approximately 50 y/o male worker was injured 20 feet down inside the trench. The worker had sustained head, neck and back injuries from trauma resulting from a steel support that struck him during the construction process.

The trench was initially metered to ascertain if there were any atmospheric problems and the crew of Engine 4 entered the trench to begin Basic and Advanced Life Support. The patient was packaged and placed into an extrication device and secured in a stokes rescue basket.

Utilizing the skills of the construction workers, a crane was used to lower the stokes rescue basket into the hole and then also used to raise the injured worker up and out of the hole. The worker was transported to Yale New Haven Trauma Center by American Medical Response Ambulance with a Milford Fire Department Paramedic continuing the advanced care.

OSHA was on the scene and investigating the cause of the accident.

City Spared from the Effects of Hurricane Earl

The City of Milford was spared the effects of Hurricane Earl as the system weakened and tracked slightly more to the east as it approached the area.  Milford officials had been keeping a close eye on the progress of Hurricane Earl.  The City's storm information line 8-STORM-2 was updated Thursday night and throughout the day on Friday with the latest storm related forecasts for the area.  On Friday Mayor James Richetelli, Jr. said, "Right now the reports are that it’s in our favor, the system is getting weaker and moving farther out. So our effects should be minimal."

The effects were minimal, with Milford receiving little more than a few rain showers.  Still, City officials say that they were prepared for the worse.  "We began several days ago to prepare for the event that the storm intensifies or changes course. Hurricanes by their nature are unpredictable and although we cannot predict to a certainty where Earl will make landfall, we closely monitored this storm for any potential impact on our community", said Captain Chris Zak of the Milford Fire Department.  "We advise all residents to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. All residents should be prepared for severe weather no matter what time of the year it is", said Zak.

Milford residents and officials alike are breathing a sign of relief, Hurricane Earl has moved past the area and the weather is forecast to be clear with breezy conditions possible on Saturday. 

City of Milford Preparing for Tropical Storm Force Winds on Friday

The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center is predicting that Earl will continue moving to the North today with a turn to the North Northeast late tonight, passing just east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina just after midnight as a Major Hurricane.

Earl is then forecast to accelerate to the North Northeast at 25 MPH on Friday and pass very close to Nantucket and Cape Cod as a Category II hurricane Friday Evening at 11:00 PM. Towns along the Connecticut coast from Milford to Stonington can expect Tropical Storm conditions Friday evening likely between 4:00 PM and Midnight. Also an expected 2 – 4 inches of heavy rainfall may cause urban and small stream flooding in Southeastern CT as the Hurricane passes to the Southeast. In addition, large sea waves can be expected along any exposed beaches in Southeastern CT.

The Milford Fire Department began several days ago to prepare for the event that the storm intensifies or changes course. Hurricanes by their nature are unpredictable and although we cannot predict to a certainty where Earl will make landfall, we continue to closely monitor this storm for any potential impact on our community. Currently we are in the monitoring mode and will re-evaluate our plans on Friday morning after reviewing the latest forecasted path.

The Milford Fire Department advises all residents to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. All residents should be prepared for severe weather no matter what time of the year it is. Residents should have an emergency kit and emergency food for three days. All residents are encouraged to visit http://www.ready.gov/ and http://www.redcross.org/ to learn more about how to prepare for an emergency and also how to take steps to keep their family safe.