After the recent death of a basejumper at a 2,000 foot tower outside of Metcalfe, GA, firefighters in nearby Thomasville began training in rescue techniques on a nearby site.
“There are a lot of towers being erected around here, radio towers, cell towers, that sort of thing. Ultimately who are you going to call if you’re in trouble? Your local fire department,” said Pat Rhodes, to WALB-TV.
Rhodes is the Rescue Services Manager at D2000 Safety and a retired professional firefighter/EMT rescue technician for the Phoenix Fire Department with over 28 years of field service.
“You get up there it is kind of scary but if you’re not scared then you’re a danger to yourself,” said Mark Sealy, Asst. Chief Paramedic to WALB-TV.
Sealy said that climbing these extremely tall towers can be nerve wracking, but it’s a skill they have to learn as first responders.
The crew said that these skills won’t just be used to help base jumpers or trespassers, they will be used to help utility crews who are installing or working on cell towers.
“A lot of companies to be honest about it do some pretty extensive training and can rescue their own people but often they have people that are somewhat novice at being on these structures and they can and do get in trouble,” explained Rhodes to WALB-TV.
With Friday being the last day of training, the crew said that they have probably spent close to 70 hours this week practicing the new skill, but it’s not one you learn overnight, so they will continue to practice year round.
October 25, 2016
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