Photos provided by City of Olean Fire Department
Monday January 24, 2022: At 1:59PM Engine 40 and Ambulance 249 were dispatched to an Advanced Life Support medical call of an individual having chest pains and breathing difficulty at a West State Street location.
During Engine 40’s response a vehicle pulled out in front of the fire engine at West State Street and North 20th Streets. Engine 40’s operator took evasive action to avoid hitting the vehicle on the driver’s side. Engine 40’s operator directed the vehicle towards Francis Square in which Engine 40 struck the concrete sign causing significant damage to the truck. Ambulance 249 continued on to take care of the patient at the West State Street location and FM-1 from Code Enforcement was dispatched to assist them on that call.
The Officer of Engine 40 requested an ambulance and Supervisor to the scene. The operator and officer of Engine 40 were able to self-extricate from the fire truck. Both firefighters were evaluated and treated at the scene but did not seek transportation to the hospital. They are back on their respective shifts as of Tuesday morning.
The Westons Mills Fire Department provided standby coverage for Fire Station 1 during this incident. Platoon C was called in to cover Central Fire Station and to assist with decommissioning Engine 40 before it headed to the repair shop.
The City of Olean Police Department responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. Portville Truck towed the vehicle to their location to be evaluated by the insurance companies. In the interim, the Allegany Fire Department has authorized the City of Olean to borrow one of their engines.
We sincerely appreciate all of the support during this incident and the well wishes from our community.
Olean Police Department reported the operator of the passenger vehicle stated she did not hear nor see Engine 40 until she entered the intersection. The operator of the passenger vehicle was cited for failure to yield the right of way to an authorized emergency vehicle.
