Sanford fire officials lauded the work of their new Technical Rescue Team, which assisted with the effort in June
Credit: City Of Sanford Maine Fire Department Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- Firefighters in Sanford, Maine helped rescue person who got trapped in a garbage truck’s container on June 24
- Fire officials said the individual was sleeping in a dumpster when it was emptied into the truck, leaving them injured
- Sanford’s new Technical Rescue Team, launched in 2024, was instrumental in the rescue
A person reportedly was rescued from a garbage truck in Maine after falling asleep in a dumpster.
The technical rescue was conducted in Sanford on Wednesday, June 24, according to a statement shared on Facebook by the Sanford Fire Department (SFD).
Fire officials said an individual was found “injured and trapped in the forward section” of the truck’s garbage container after crews arrived at the scene.
“It appears that the individual was sleeping in or otherwise occupying a dumpster that was unloaded into the garbage truck,” the SFD said.
The incident was eventually upgraded to a technical rescue response, according to the fire department.
This allowed the SFD to deploy more resources to the scene “due to the confined space/high angle type of rescue,” they said.
EMS personnel were able to “safely” enter the truck’s garbage container “and began treatment,” the SFD said.
Meanwhile, the Technical Rescue Team and other personnel “worked to set up the necessary systems required to package and remove the patient,” they added.
The person stuck in the truck was eventually removed and transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland, according to fire officials. The extent of the individual's injuries are unknown.
“The actions of all personnel and the successful outcomes of this incident shows the vital importance of training as well as the department’s continuous commitment to be prepared for any and all emergencies,” the SFD said.
The SFD launched its Technical Rescue Team, which assisted with Wednesday’s rescue, in October 2024, according to a press release from the department.
The department said this team is “equipped to handle a wide range of specialized rescue operations. This highly trained team will be able to provide critical assistance in confined space, high-angle, low-angle, water, and ice water rescue scenarios.”
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Fire Chief Scott Susi said the addition of the team was “a significant milestone” for the department.
"We are committed to providing the highest level of service to our community, and this team will be a valuable asset in protecting the lives and safety of our residents,” Susi said at the time.
After Wednesday’s rescue, the SFD lauded the efforts of its new Technical Rescue Team.
“Being a specialized low-frequency high-risk event, the investment made in creating a Technical Rescue Team has proven its worth,” fire officials said in their statement.
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