Southinton FD Preps For All Disasters ... Even Bowling Accidents

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Anyone who watches television dramas like the current "911" show or, if you're older, "Emergency," knows responders have to be ready for everything.

And that means "everything."

Recently, the Southington Fire Department conducted a training operation to prepare for an unlikely scenario, but one that, theoretically, could happen.

Namely, what do responders do if someone becomes stuck in an automated pin-setter at the local bowling alley?

As the SFD put it, an emergency rescuer must always be ready.

"Pre-planning remains a core part of the Southington Fire Department’s (SFD) daily operations," wrote the SFD on social media earlier this month.

Earlier in November, SFD responders visited the local Apple Valley Bowl site "to review the facility’s machinery and discuss operational considerations in the event of an emergency involving their equipment."

Simply put, the training session was one in which firefighters had to learn how the bowling alley's machinery works and how they might be able to rescue someone in trouble there.

"This hands-on session included identifying mechanical hazards, reviewing shutoff procedures, and strategizing potential rescue approaches," wrote the SFD.

The SFD said their training was prompted by an incident in Windsor Locks in August, when a teen was trapped by a bowling pin setter at a bowling alley there.

"The training was inspired by a recent incident in Connecticut, where a worker became trapped inside a bowling pin machine, underscoring the importance of understanding the complex machinery in local businesses before an emergency occurs," wrote the SFD.

It is common for fire departments to train for unforeseen disasters at unique places.

Southington, for example, is home to part of the Lake Compounce Amusement Park, and local firefighters often train for problems there.

From Aug. 11: 'Teenager Injured, But Recovering After Freak Accident At Windsor Locks Bowling Center'

From Sept. 12, 2024: 'WATCH: Southington FD Trains For Amusement Park Rescues'