Fire crews responded to wide variety of weekend service calls

A car versus a pedestrian at the high school, along with a grim biohazard response, highlighted the emergency calls for crews with Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Services over the weekend.

Fire Chief Scott Lewis said the first incident required the patient be airlifted to UMC Trauma in Las Vegas just after 8 a.m. at Pahrump Valley High School’s parking lot.

“Upon our arrival, we found an accident where the driver of the vehicle had pulled in the front parking lot and somehow lost control and struck a sign,” he said. “That individual got out of the vehicle to inspect the damage done to their vehicle. The vehicle was not placed in park and subsequently ran over the lower extremity of that driver. That patient was flown to UMC Trauma via Mercy Air. The patient was a female in her sixties.”

Several hours later, fire crews were dispatched to the area of West Gally Road for a public assistance assignment.

Lewis said a man working on a car severed his finger between the tire and the body of the vehicle just after 3 p.m.

“We were dispatched to the area of 2400 West Gally for a public assist with a potential biohazard,” Lewis said. “Upon arrival, we found that an individual, while jacking up a vehicle, lost control of the jack mechanism and severed at least one finger between the tire and the body of the vehicle. That person went to the hospital for medical treatment prior to our arrival.

The remnant was caught between the tire and it became severed. We jacked up the vehicle and removed the biohazard.”

Fire crews were also dispatched to the area of Bourbon Street after reports of smoke were observed in the neighborhood.

Upon arrival, crews found a light smoke condition where it was determined to be an unauthorized controlled burn at the rear of an apartment complex.

On Saturday, fire crews were summoned to the 4400 block of East Dandelion Road for a brush fire just after 4:30 p.m.

“Upon arrival, fire crews found a small brush fire consisting of mixed fuels,” Lewis said.

“There were no immediate exposures and the fire was quickly controlled without incident.”

Fire crews got an early start on Sunday as they responded to the 800 block of East Simkins Road for a reported motor vehicle collision.

“At 4:20 in the morning we were dispatched for a motor vehicle accident where a vehicle went into the wall at 860 East Simkins,” Lewis said. “Upon arrival, crews found the accident, however the occupant had separated from the vehicle. Crews were sent to a subsequent address where the patient was found. The patient was medically assessed and transported to the local hospital.”

A strange odor along the 300 block of West Leslie prompted a quick response from emergency crews.

Lewis said at least two engines, along with a medic unit, responded to the scene.

“They did in fact confirm a strange odor emanating from the building,” he said. “Two individuals were transported from the scene. After the investigation, it was revealed that it was undetermined as to what the cause was. The scene was turned over to building maintenance for further investigation.”

Lewis said fire crews were also present at the Pahrump Balloon Festival throughout the weekend.

“We conducted scene and park patrols at Petrack Park, where we conducted vendor and carnival ride inspections,” Lewis said. “We participated in a number of the actual balloon events. We also raised the American flag at 6:30 each morning so we could have the national anthem with an extended flag. There were several medical calls at the park but no serious incidents related to the balloon festival.”

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes.com