MOJAVE, Calif., On October 21, 2023, at approximately 10:54 a.m. Kern County firefighters received a phone call directly to station 14 from a nearby resident. The caller needed help getting an injured family member off the roof of their home and requested immediate assistance. The Captain notified dispatch of the situation and requested an ambulance. Upon arrival, the firefighters found the patient on the roof, completely incapacitated and incapable of moving. Recognizing this, additional firefighters were called in to assist and a rescue operation was planned. 

Rescuing individuals from heights such as from off of a roof requires specialty training combined with technical equipment. Additional manpower is almost always needed. All technical rescues are different and require creative thinking and a thorough knowledge of the capabilities of the equipment used. Kern County firefighters regularly train with rope rescue equipment to stay proficient. 

The firefighters loaded the patient into a rescue stretcher. Relying on their training, they set up a rope system anchored to a solid point; A 20 ton fire engine! A ladder slide was set up on the opposite side of the house. Firefighters used the rope as a safety line and to slow the speed as gravity pulled the patient down the slide. Working together as a team, the firefighters used their creation to deliver the patient safely to the ground. 

Please remember that the way to receive the fastest and most accurate help in an emergency is to call 9-1-1!