Stories of LAFD members who have risen to the challenge when faced with exceptional dangers
Helicopter Crew Makes River Rescue
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On January 22, 2010, the weather in Los Angeles was dismal – rainy and cloudy. A 911 call indicated that a dog was in distress in the Los Angeles River, and that a member of the community was attempting to rescue the dog. The incident commander requested a “hoist” rescue operation to retrieve the animal from the swift-moving water in the channel.
The rescue was performed by Pilot Scott Bowman, Firefighter Dan Childs, FF/PM Robert Steinbacher, and FF/PM Joe St. Georges. The crew was dispatched to the LA River near 20th Street where they found a large dog in distress, unable to find its way out of the water channel. The Department’s Swift Water Rescue Team had been unable to reach the animal for a rescue attempt.
In addition to the terrible weather conditions, the team encountered high-power electrical lines in close proximity to the helicopter’s rotor system which added to the difficulty and stress of the rescue attempt. Considerations in this rescue included the bad weather, rising water, increased water speed, animal fatigue, and potential involvement of a civilian. The incident commander wanted to rescue the dog and keep the civilian safe.
FF/PM St. Georges was secured to the hoist. When safety checks were completed, FF Childs began lowering St. Georges from Fire 4, while FF/PM Steinbacher maintained situational awareness in and around the aircraft, continually communicating information to Pilot Bowman.
After the hoist cable had been extended approximately twenty feet below the aircraft, the crew members advised Pilot Bowman that the dog had moved to the left side of the channel, requiring the helicopter to reposition to a less favorable area of the channel, closer to the high-power wires and tower. St. Georges was retracted back into the helicopter and the aircraft was moved to the left side of the channel.
Then a second rescue attempt was initiated. Even with a rising water level and increasing water speed, St. Georges was again lowered. He knew he would have only one attempt at the rescue. He quickly approached the dog and applied the capture strap. Even with the dog defending itself, sustaining an acute traumatic injury and in extreme pain, St Georges did not release the animal, but finished applying the capture strap, securing the dog for rescue.
FF Child retracted St. Georges and the dog from the water channel, and Pilot Bowman “short hauled” the pair to awaiting LAFD personnel on the 20th Street bridge. While they were being lifted, another element of danger was added. The normal position of the rescuer and victim attached to the hoist and capture strap is at a vertical attitude, with a ground tether line to prevent the rescuer and victim from spinning. In this case, due to the dynamics of the capture, St. Georges was forced to maintain a horizontal position, with no tether line, during the hoist retraction. Thus, he and the dog spun in an uncontrolled rotation until they were grounded on the bridge.
Once the dog was handed off to LAFD personnel, FF/PM St. Georges’ injury was evaluated and he was transported for medical treatment.
Watching a dog drown or leaving a rescue in the hands of an untrained civilian are not options to those who are sworn to save lives. The crew of Fire 4 placed themselves in a dangerous situation to save the life of a family dog named Vernon.
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The crew of Fire 4 earned the Medal of Merit
