On Thursday July 31st, at 11:13 AM, The Rye Fire Department and Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS were dispatched to 15 Bradford Ave for a reported trench collapse. The Rye Police Department, who received the original 911 call from the homeowner, were on scene within minutes. Police officers found 2 contractors chest-deep in a trench, unable to exit. The two contractors reported that the walls of the excavation began to cave in as they were repairing the home’s foundation.

While still enroute, Car 2424 (Lt. Tietjen) requested New Rochelle Fire Department’s Collapse Rescue Team, a Con Ed Vacuum Truck and the Westchester County Technical Rescue Team be dispatched to the scene. Once firefighters arrived on scene and began to assess the trench and patients, a third collapse unit was requested due to the severity of the collapse and the location of the patients. As a result, White Plains Fire Department’s Collapse Rescue Team was dispatched, as part of the Westchester Special Operations Task Force (WSOTF). Larchmont Fire Department's Rescue and a Scarsdale VAC ambulance were also requested to assist with firefighter rehabilitation on scene.

While awaiting the arrival of the Technical Rescue Teams, Rye Firefighters and DPW works began to clear out some dirt around the trench using a Rye DPW Vacuum Truck. Utilizing plywood and shovels, firefighters began to shore the trench. Minutes later, The White Plains Rescue Team (Car 2517, Engine 66, Rescue 88 & Utility 1) arrived and began to assist with shoring the trench. A combination of rescue struts and air tools were used to make gaps and hold shoring in place. New Rochelle’s Collapse Team (Car 2303, Car 2306, Car 2307, Rescue 4 & Rescue 54) arrived seconds after. The Westchester County Technical Rescue Team (Car 2001, Car 2006, Car 2007, Rescue 77, Utility 77 and Utility 177) arrived a few minutes after and assisted Con Edison crews with setting up a secondary vacuum into the trench.

Coordinated by New Rochelle and White Plains Rescue Teams Officers, firefighters worked with Con Ed and Rye DPW to clear dirt around the trench. Once shoring devices were in place, patient extrication took place. At approximately 12:30 PM, the first contractor was removed from the trench. It took another 5 minutes to remove the second contractor. Both patients were removed and care was transferred to Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS. Both were transported to a local trauma center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Rye Fire Department units were clear of the scene at Approximately 2:00pm. While Rye Fire Department Apparatus were on scene, The Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department provided standby coverage at Rye HQ. The exact cause of the collapse is being investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and The Rye Police Department.