LaGrange fire department deployed special unit at Arlington HS brawl

September 20, 2021
1:10 pm

LAGRANGE – The LaGrange professional firefighters activated their Rescue Task Force (RTF) during the brawl at Arlington High School that claimed the life of a 16-year-old student on September 17. When first dispatched, the LaGrange fire department responded in minutes with one lieutenant, three staffed Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances and a rescue truck for reports of a large fight.

Within two minutes of notification, the firefighter-paramedics initiated medical care to a critically injured victim, now identified as Quraan Smith, age 16. Smith was rapidly transported to Mid Hudson Regional Hospital’s trauma center. During transport, in an attempt to stabilize Smith, aggressive advanced life support measures were performed. The firefighter-paramedics were able to triage the patient and get him to the hospital within approximately 20 minutes.

During what the fire department called a “dynamic event”, the Rescue Task Force was activated. RTF personnel were strategically deployed with police officers to locate and provide medical aid to any additional injured parties. The RTF members treated four additional individuals for minor injuries who were later released.

Friday’s melee absorbed all of the on-duty professional firefighters for several hours. Off-duty personnel were called in to provide fire protection and medical assistance for the remainder of the district.

Union officials representing the LaGrange Professional Firefighters said “We would like to thank all agencies that assisted at this tragic event, including the numerous police agencies, Arlington Central School District staff, and Northern Dutchess Paramedics who provided a paramedic ambulance to assist any additional medical requests within the town.”

If anyone has any additional information about this incident, you are asked to call the Dutchess County Sheriffs Office confidential tip line at 845-605-2583.