Story and Photos by Bill Xikis

On October 11, 2005 at about 2:45 p.m. the Ronkonkoma Fire Department notified Firecom to activate the Northern Brookhaven Technical Rescue Team for a trench collapse rescue at the Lake Shore Nursing Home. A worker digging in a trench had the surrounding pavement collapse on him, pinning him against a wall and he was buried to waist level with dirt.

Suffolk PD ESU was first on scene and began operating. NBTRT responded with Setauket, Mt. Sinai, Port Jefferson, Port Jeff Volunteer Ambulance, Stonybrook University Fire Marshals, Centereach, Ronkonkoma, Hagerman and Selden with a trench collapse trailer.

NBTRT members augmented the Suffolk PD ESU with manpower and equipment, and the worker was removed in good condition. EMS units transported him to Stonybrook.

The Brookhaven Town Fire Marshals also responded and shut down the site. New York State Department of Labor/OSHA was called in to investigate.

Chief John Scotto was the incident commander. Lakeland FD and Hauppauge FD responed as back up technical rescue units.