Technical Rescue In Phoenixville

On Thursday night, around 9 PM, units from the Phoenixville Fire Department (PFD) were dispatched to the area of Cromby Rd and Fillmore Street, for a person stuck on a cliff overlooking an abandoned train tunnel and ravine. The area is several hundred yards from the roadway and presented access difficulties for the first arriving Fire Department units. Deputy 65 (Dave Meadows) conducted his size-up and determined the best plan would be to access and remove the victim from above. He requested the Rope/High Angle (RHA) Rescue Task Force. Chester County Department of Emergency Services dispatched Station 72 (Chester Co Rescue Task Force). Rescues 47 (Lionville), 53 (Fame), 25 (Longwood), Medic 2 (Berwyn) and Utility 47 made the response. Command also requested Station 61 (Kimberton) for their ATV to attempt an additional access point. Rescue 47 was the first arriving Task Force unit. RHA Manager, Pat Boyle (Capt. 47), consulted with the Incident Commander (IC) and a plan was developed and placed in motion. Phoenixville units began to set-up a picket system for an initial anchor point while Technicians from 47 gathered their rope equipment. The victim was stuck on a ledge about 20 feet down a steep incline. Technician Bob Edwards (Lt. 47) was lowered to the victim. It was quickly determined the victim was uninjured. Technician Edwards placed the victim in a harness while crews from 47, 53 and 25 established a back-up rescue team and secured additional anchor points and set up the haul and belay systems up top. Task Force Leader Kevin Corcoran and Deputy Task Force Leader Mark Koenig worked with the IC Staff overseeing the operation. The victim was successfully extricated from the edge and evaluated by EMS. Units secured their personnel and equipment and were released by the IC.

Story courtesy of The Chester County Rescue Taskforce.