Firefighters Dog Sit While Occupants of Off Road Vehicle Collision Receive Treatment

VICTORVILLE – Firefighters from San Bernardino County Fire Department station 311, in Victorville, dogsit a family dog after responding to an off-road vehicle rollover on Saturday afternoon.

Just before 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2018, firefighters responded to a remote desert area of Wild Wash Road near the 15 freeway, for the report of a vehicle rollover with injuries. A desert ambulance from Barstow also responded to the report. “Due to the vague location and potential access problems the area Battalion Chief requested an engine from MCLB Barstow along with County Fire Reach Helicopter 325,” said Jeremy Kern, Public Information Officer for the San Bernardino County Fire Department. “H325 quickly reached the reported area and with common communications with ground crews a search began.” The fire engine, ambulance, and the CHP stood nearby, due to the rough terrain and waited until H325, the CHP helicopter, could locate the single-vehicle rollover collision. H325 quickly located the collision approximately 3 miles west of the 15 freeway and led ground units to the three patients.

The patients sustained minor to moderate injuries and were transported to a local hospital via ground ambulance. Although none of the patients needed to be airlifted, H325 played a vital role in locating the patients in a timely manner. “Rapid insertion of flight nurses and paramedics to the remote areas of our county benefits the severely injured and reduces time to critical treatment and transport to trauma centers,” added Kern in a news release. Once all patients were accounted for and transported, firefighters discovered that “Rango”, the family dog was riding with the patients who were all being transported. Rango was not injured as a result of the collision, but had no one to provide care to him. Animal control’s weekend hours are limited over the weekend and firefighters did not want the patients to be responsible for boarding fees after the collision. Firefighters from Station 311, in the City of Victorville, offered to care for Rango, while his family received treatment in the hospital. Later that day, after relaxing at the station, Rango was reunited with his family.

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