Truck 61 Electrocution

On the outskirts of Hollywood, fire companies from the LAFD responded to a reported structure fire near the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Highland Avenue.

The structure had light smoke surrounding the upper floors and Engines 27 and 41 were assigned to locate the source of the fire. Trucks 27 and 61 placed their aerial ladders to the roof of the four-story occupied office building.

The Commanding Officer of Truck 61, Captain Eric Greene, was the last member to ascend the aerial ladder enroute to the roof to join his Firefighters at the top of the ladder. While climbing the ladder, Captain Greene came into contact with high voltage wires. The Captain was electrocuted with 4,800 volts of electricity.

Captain Greene was in grave danger as his body lay three stories above Santa Monica Blvd. pulseless and non-breathing.

A civilian eyewitness stated that they saw sparks coming off Captain Greene’s body. Hearing the call that a “Firefighter was down,” Engineers Samuel Quan and Christopher Aguirre raced towards Truck 61 and rapidly headed up the ladder with little or no hesitation. Captain Stephen Ruda also ascended up the ladder and followed them. Believing that Captain Greene was possibly electrocuted, Captain Ruda ordered the Firefighters on the ground to have an automatic external defibrillator ready so that Captain Green’s heart could be shocked back to a regular rhythm.

The three Firefighters struggled to free Captain Greene from the aerial as they worked dangerously close to the wires. The distance from their own electrocution was later measured to be approximately 18 inches.

Once freeing Captain Greene’s dangling body, Captain Ruda, Engineer Quan and Engineer Aguirre carried Captain Greene’s body down the 50-foot distance to Engine 82 and members of Fire Station 61 and 27. Firefighters shocked his heart and as Rescue 27 transported Captain Greene, it was reported that he had a faint heartbeat.

After a short hospital stay, Captain Greene made a miraculous and complete recovery. Numerous medical personnel have confirmed the successful recovery is credited to a rapid rescue, proper medical treatment and timely transportation. All of this was made possible due to the courageous actions of Engineer Samuel Quan, Engineer Christopher Aguirre and Captain Stephen Ruda.

For their collective acts of courage and for distinguishing themselves by the performance of this rescue, these men demonstrated a conspicuous act of bravery with calculated personal risks to their own lives. It is with great honor that the Los Angeles Fire Department presents them with the “Medal of Merit.”