Tour Commander, 509.625.7100
Monday, April 5, 2021 at 9:07 a.m.
Friday, April 2, at approximately 3pm, the Spokane Fire Department responded to the area of Rockwood and Helena Ct on a report of a tree trimmer injured approximately 75 feet up in a tree. Crews arrived to find a single victim at the top of ponderosa pine. The victim was harnessed at the top of the tree and unable to effect a self rescue.
Members of the Spokane Fire Department Technical Rescue team quickly assembled a plan to gain access to the victim and safely remove him. One technical rescue member quickly climbed to the top of the tree to assess the condition of the victim and begin the plan to lower him to waiting medical crews.
The 100' aerial tower arrived and deployed to provide backup to the rescuer and victim.
The Technical Rescue Team lowered the victim to the waiting aerial ladder basket. SFD and AMR crews treated the victim and transported in critical condition to an area hospital.
Eight fire apparatus along with 24 firefighters responded to the technical rescue. While not a typical type of rescue, this is an event that the Technical Team has trained and planned for.
