Mayday Monday: Firefighter Escape

Mayday Mondays has spent the last seven-plus years honoring and remembering firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We strive to not let them die in vain and to learn from their lives and deaths. This month we recognize a group of firefighters who exemplify the mission of Mayday Mondays:

Provide training to better prepare firefighters for the extremes of the job.

Due to their training, equipment, and mindset, they successfully made a daring rescue. Because of that, EVERYONE WENT HOME!

In the early morning hours of September 6, 2017, Heavy Rescue 305 of the Clackamas (OR) Fire Department was dispatched for a house fire with the report of occupants trapped. When they arrived, they found a well-involved fire on the first floor of the two-story house. As a rescue unit, they did not have the ability to operate a handline. Size-up showed the chance of getting up the stairs to the second floor. Two members quickly ascended to the second floor and located the occupant in a closed bedroom. She was in good condition and isolated in the room. Rescuers called for a ladder to be placed for removal, but the Heavy Rescue was the only unit on the scene. Fire conditions were worsening and their route out was now limited to the window in the bedroom. Outfitted with a personal escape system, the two were prepared for this scenario. The first member exited and waited just below the window. The second firefighter assisted the occupant out of the window onto the first member and then made his way out. Seconds later, the firefighters landed on the ground with the occupant safe and sound. An amazing rescue made possible due to 1) proper equipment, 2) good training, and 3) a rescue mindset! Learn more about this rescue below

This month we will review firefighter escape techniques. If you are equipped with an escape system, please practice your technique to anchor and deploy the system. If you don’t have escape equipment, practice the window hang and the ladder escape techniques. Here is a link to the July 2020 Mayday Monday where we highlight escape techniques.