Union Fire Company EMS workers recall harrowing response to Lincoln University mass shooting
Nearly two weeks after the deadly mass shooting at Lincoln University , officials are still investigating the crime. It's happening as first responders reflect on the actions they took to save lives.
"We were right out front when everything happened," said Lt. Bill Chischnijak with Union Fire Company EMS. "We started hearing reports of gunfire. Hearing the shots in the background people screaming."
The first responders were on the Lincoln University campus as students celebrated homecoming.
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One person was killed and six people were injured.
Union Fire Company EMS workers -- who are stationed in Oxford, only five minutes from campus-- were originally at Lincoln responding to a medical call. Then, the gunfire started.
"One of the most difficult challenges was not knowing if the scene was safe. Not knowing where the shooter or shooters were," said Deputy Chief Gary Vinnacombe with Union Fire Company EMS.
Still, EMS workers sprang into action.
"Our main priority was to assist the students who were in desperate need of help," said Daniel Monzo, a Union Fire Company EMT. "For those we had to treat and those we assisted, you could tell they were very shocked, very upset."
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The first responders loaded people in ambulances, several at a time, to get them to safety and medical treatment.
"An incident like that requires a lot of collaboration on a lot of levels," said Vinnacombe.
With scared students all around them, the team stayed calm as their training kicked in.
"We do active response trainings responding to multiple threats," Vinnacombe added.
The mass shooting at Lincoln proved that type of training is necessary even in a quiet town.
"One of the things I always say is we respond to anything that happens in a world where anything happens," said Vinnacombe.
"We run into a lot of great kids at Lincoln University. It's just sad that they have to deal with that," said Chischnijak.
Action News reached out to the Chester County District Attorney for an update on the case. They say this is still an active and ongoing investigation, and they're still looking for tips from the public.
