Window Washer Rescue Training

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San Diego Fire & Rescue and Chula Vista firefighters have performed high-rise rescue drills before, but never from 50 stories up as they did at the Vantage Pointe Condos in Downtown San Diego, California.

"Unless you're up doing it at 500 feet just like we are right now, there's no experience, no training, that can change you, so getting this training is actually pretty invaluable," explained Firefighter Oscar Rodriguez with San Diego Fire & Rescue (SDFR).

The general manager of the condo building, Jenny Magallanes, graciously volunteered to play the role of the stranded window washer. Jenny expressed, "I'm feeling ok. I just said that I want to go as high as possible. I may be regretting that in a moment, but I'm ok!"

Firefighters have practiced this type of rescue many times, but each building is different.

According to Captain Jim Gaboruy with SDFR, firefighters wanted to practice on this particular building because it is newer with multiple davit arms, which are pick-points where window washing rigs go over. Also, it has about 12 different faces which is good practice because it makes it more difficult for rescuers to access the sides of the building.

Fire captains claim that their biggest challenge is establishing good anchor points. Once that is done, they can approach the victim. "We are gonna raise the victim and the rescuer out of the basket approximately 4 to 5 feet, so that they clear the basket," stated Captain Gaboruy, "Once they clear the basket, then we are gonna convert the haul line back into a lower and then we're gonna lower them back down."

This simulated rescue went smoothly, but firefighters must also prepare for all kinds of wind conditions and panicked victims. Firefighter Oscar Rodriguez remarked, "Well, the first thing you do when you get down there, is you just let them know 'Hey I'm down here, I've got you. We're trained professionals and we'll be out of here in a minute.' That's exactly what I said to her, and we were down in no time."

A total of eleven firefighters participated in this training which allowed them to practice before the actual event. In the past, drills were done off of parking structures and shorter buildings but some real-life situations have occurred on high-rises in San Diego within the past couple of years.

Captain Rocky Delgadillo with San Diego Fire & Rescue said, "The need has present itself several times over the last couple years of victims trapped outside the buildings, usually window washers, and so we've had a reason to rescue them. We practice that technique to make sure that we can have efficient and safe rescues."

Contributors to this story:
Ann Zevely - Field Producer/Camera/Editor
Deanne Goodman - Reporter
Renee Marquart - Text Story



Author:D. Goodman, A. Zevely, R. Marquart - FDNNTV.com