A Rock Community Fire Protection District firetruck slid on an ice-covered road in the 1700 block of Parkside Place in Imperial this morning, Jan. 22. The incident occurred while Rock firefighters were responding to an accident after a car slid into a fire hydrant in the subdivision off Flamm Road, spokeswoman Alyson Rotter said.
The fire crew was dispatched to the accident at 7:07 a.m. and arrived at 7:14 a.m., which is approximately when the truck slid down the road, the report said.
Videos posted on social media show the truck spinning around twice at a curve in the road. The truck hit the back of the car that had struck the fire hydrant. The car appeared to run into a home, and the truck came to a stop next to the same home.
A hose stored in the back of the firetruck fell out while it was spinning.
Rock Fire reported there was no structural damage to the house, but the firetruck and car were damaged.
Rotter said four firefighters were in the truck, and no one was in the car that was struck. No injuries were reported.
“I am first grateful that there were no injuries to our personnel or citizens,” Chief Kevin Wingbermuehle said in a written statement. “The involved apparatus has a gross vehicle weight rating of over 56,000 pounds.
“While the situation was undoubtedly harrowing, it underscores the exemplary professional capabilities and training of our personnel. The adeptness displayed by the apparatus operator in making swift decisions and maintaining composure is truly commendable and unequivocally prevented a much more serious outcome.”
Wingbermuehle said the crew in the firetruck was moved to a backup truck and resumed duty after the accident.
Rock Fire reported that the scene was cleared at 9:25 a.m.
Jefferson County 911 Dispatch Chief Travis Williams said call volume was up about 15 percent this morning with about 60 calls for service.
“There were not really a whole lot of vehicle accidents,” he said. “There were a lot of EMS calls with a few falls, which may have been ice related. The traffic was really light this morning. A lot of people stayed home and went in late (to work), so that helped a lot. There were a few vehicle accidents, but nothing too crazy.”