Firefighters Save Woman with Recently Granted Swift Water Rescue Equipment

Heartland Fire & Rescue showed the value of having the right gear on hand after using its granted equipment to save a life in their California community. An equipment grant, awarded by Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, provided swift water personal protective equipment to every emergency vehicle in the fire department.

The rescue began after firefighters were notified that a woman was trapped in fast-moving waters in a local flood channel. After locating the victim, firefighters grabbed their new gear and scaled an 8-foot-high chain-link fence to gain entry to the area. The team wrapped one end of a rescue rope around a fence post and threw the other end of the rope the victim, who was clinging to the concrete wall of the channel. Using the newly acquired equipment, they were able to pull her to safety, assess her for injuries, and wrap her in a blanket. Soon after, she was transported to a nearby hospital where she made a full recovery.