If you need emergency help off Rockland’s breakwater, the ride will soon be smoother for everyone
A typical rescue off the Rockland breakwater can require as many as six individuals carrying the patient in a litter and crossing over the same uneven granite blocks that tripped up the patient. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
Rockland’s breakwater is more than 4,3000-feet-long, making it a nearly 2-mile-long walk out and back if one goes all the way to the lighthouse. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
Rockland firefighters and EMTs test out the Four-Wheeled Rescue Cart on the breakwater Wednesday night. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
R&D testing the 4WRC on the Rockland breakwater. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
(Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
Rockland firefighters and EMTs also R&D tested a Mule Litter Cart, with a single wheel. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
The Mule, with its single, rugged wheel was preferred in Rockland following testing, 2 to 1. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
Testing the one-wheel Mule. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
A happy ‘patient’ being carted around in the Mule. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
A typical rescue off the Rockland breakwater can require as many as six individuals carrying the patient in a litter and crossing over the same uneven granite blocks that tripped up the patient. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
Rockland’s breakwater is more than 4,3000-feet-long, making it a nearly 2-mile-long walk out and back if one goes all the way to the lighthouse. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
Rockland firefighters and EMTs test out the Four-Wheeled Rescue Cart on the breakwater Wednesday night. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
R&D testing the 4WRC on the Rockland breakwater. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
(Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
Rockland firefighters and EMTs also R&D tested a Mule Litter Cart, with a single wheel. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
The Mule, with its single, rugged wheel was preferred in Rockland following testing, 2 to 1. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
Testing the one-wheel Mule. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
A happy ‘patient’ being carted around in the Mule. (Courtesy Rockland Fire Dept./by Alan Athearn)
ROCKLAND — The Rockland Breakwater Light is a popular tourist attraction, but to get there, one has to walk the 7/8-mile-long breakwater, comprised of large, uneven blocks of granite, abundant with cracks and uneven surfaces. Oh, and one has to walk back the way they came, unless of course they stumble and fall, and require assistance and medical care from the city's emergency crews.
"I don't know if the breakwater has just become more popular recently, or the demographic is older, but the calls for injuries out there have really increased," said Rockland Fire Chief Charlie Jordan. "We've been to the Breakwater already several times this summer, and it seems we're going out there more often now."
Jordan said he's also wondering if more Samoset Resort guests are visiting the Rockland Breakwater Light during their stays, drawn to the view of the lighthouse from the new infinity pool or ease of access across a former golf course fairway.
No matter the reason, the increase in foot traffic has equaled an increase in calls for help.
The surface of the Breakwater is not only uneven; it's hard and has sharp edges, not to mention ocean water on both sides. It's a long walk, and on hot days it can become arduous, especially knowing the only way off is to go back the way you came. And it can get crowded, teeming with walkers as well as anglers hoping to catch something for sport or consumption.
When a mishap occurs, whether it's an injury or medical emergency, a call goes out to Jordan and his crews, who most often have to walk out to the patient while carrying a Stokes litter and medical equipment. If the time of year is right, the city will have installed a float near the halfway point of the breakwater, providing temporary boat access for both the public and emergencies. But seldom is an injured person located at the beginning of the breakwater, or at the floats.
"It's an unforgiving rescue environment," said Jordan. "We have had multiple times where we had to switch out crews more than once while carrying a patient off in the litter."
The days of heavy carrying – while at the same time avoiding the very cracks and uneven surfaces that often are the culprits behind the call – may soon be over for rescuers evacuating an injured patient off the breakwater. That's because Rockland firefighters and EMTs Aug. 14 spent some time training at the breakwater, testing out two potential rescue carts. Jordan said they zeroed in on the two models after conducting "a lot of Internet research."
One of the carts, called the Mule Litter Wheel, is a single, rugged wheel to which a litter is tied or strapped down. The town of Camden has one for mountain trail rescues, and loaned it to Rockland for the testing. Optional adjustable handles at the front and back allow rescuers to maneuver and control the litter's movement forward and over obstacles, with the wheel and its frame taking the weight and absorbing bumps. The other cart was the 4WRC, which stands for Four-Wheeled Rescue Cart. This cart was originally designed to haul jet skis across beaches, but was being tested for use in emergencies.
Both carts were competitive in price, coming in at around $1,500. Jordan said priority number one in Wednesday night's R&D comparison was patient comfort. Also being judged were ease of deployment, stowage and durability.
"We came away feeling that the Mule did the job and was the best bet," said Jordan. "The voting was 2 to 1 in favor of the Mule."
Jordan said the Mule provided better patient comfort, and its rugged wheel would more likely stand repeated trips over the granite blocks.
"The wheels on the 4WRC were pretty thin and bouncy," said Jordan. "It was designed to carry jet skis on the beach, which is a very forgiving environment. The Mule's tire is knobby, suitable for trails and woods work, so the breakwater's difficult terrain would make it a good match."
The city will likely soon have a Mule to make the job of getting injured and sick people off the breakwater more comfortably, for patient and emergency personnel alike. And it’s always good to remind people to take it slow and keep eyes down on the terrain, taking a moment to STOP every once in a while and enjoy the view.
Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.
Event Date
Address
Rockland Breakwater
Rockland, ME 04841
United States
