At 1445 on an unseasonably warm January day as temperatures rose into the low 70s Cars 1 and 2 Engine 1 Rescue 5 and NCVAC were toned out for an MVAmotor vehicle accident with injuries on RT. 15 Southbound in the area of Exit 37. Car 1 was the first fire unit on scene and confirmed the accident was southbound at the exit 37 off-ramp. Reporting a car versus tree and on fire with one occupant still pinned in the vehicle Car 1 advised all units to expedite. Utility 64 Car 2 on board Engine 1 and Rescue 5 arrived shortly thereafter. The crew from Engine 1 split into two teams one team extinguished the fire in the engine compartment using an 1 34 inch crosslay while the other crew stabilized the vehicle gained access to the patient and prepared the car for a rapid extrication. Once the car was stabilized firefighters from Engine 1 and Rescue 5 went to work extricating the patient from the vehicle. From the time the Jaws-of-Life went to work until the patient was handed to EMS a total of 5 minutes had elapsed. This incident showed great communication and work among all involved agencies. Car 1 had Merritt parkway command.
