Published: August 5, 2015
FIREFIGHTERS USE ROPES TO SAVE MAN DANGLING IN BROOKLYN
 Firefighter Matthew Regis of Ladder Company 108, balancing on the angle line to stabilize the victim.
Tuesday, August 4, at 2111, members of Ladder Company 108 and Engine Company 216 received a ticket for reports of a jumper-down on Hooper Street in Brooklyn. Arriving on-scene and finding a man suspended by a foot entangled in a wire they affected a joint high-angle rescue operation using the ropes.
On their approach to the address, Captain Daniel Keane of Ladder Company 108 requested further details from dispatch; however, they reached the location before those were provided. On-scene they were unable to initially find the victim who was in a rear shaft-way of the 4-story non-fireproof building through a narrow alleyway that would prove unreachable by the aerial ladder.
"It was strange, and precarious because we didn't know what to expect," said Captain Keane. "But everyone did everything that was needed and worked as a great team."
Pointed in the right direction by bystanders, Firefighter Matthew Regis of Ladder 108 proceeded through the alleyway to the 2-3 corner of the building where he saw a man dangling, by his right foot caught by wires at approximately 30-feet above the third floor.
Firefighter Regis called for the Chauffer, Fred DiCrescento, to reposition the aerial as he climbed the single fire escape to the first floor and then pulled himself to the angle-iron, where he balanced on the inch thick rod.
In the meantime, the members of Engine Company 216 proceeded to the scene, with Lieutenant Leo Tineo entering the third floor and positioning himself in the window near the victim and above Firefighter Regis. Firefighter Regis stabilized the victim by his left elbow using his webbing, then stabilized his right elbow using Lt. Tineo's webbing. By stabilizing the victim, they ensured that if the cables were to give then he would only fall approximately 10-feet and not to the ground.
"It was just a matter of everyone doing the job and coordinating," said Tineo. "This was a very fortunate soul."
 The members of Engine Company 216 and Ladder 108 quartered in Brooklyn
Members from 216 and 108 brought the 35-foot and 12-foot ladders to the shaft-way. With Firefighter Steven McCann of Engine Company 216 on the 35-foot ladder, and members in each window, they passed the 12-foot ladder through facing windows, giving Regis a more stable footing.
"This was such an oddball event, but it went perfectly," Firefighter Regis said. "With the teamwork of educated and motivated members, and the leadership รข€“ it was all well taken care of."
DiCrescento brought the aerial within reach of the roof as Firefighter Joseph Andreas ascended and used a substantial object knot to secure himself to a beam and rail on the roof using a bowline, then a snap hitch to connect to DiCrescento who was now on the roof, as well. Captain Keane now reviewed the objective: Andreas was to repel from the roof and grab the victim by the waist, stabilize him as Firefighter Regis (on the angle-iron) pushed him towards the window and Firefighter McCann (on the 35-foot ladder) snipped the lines in which he was entangled. The go-ahead was given.
Andreas went over the ledge, guided from the ground by Firefighter Michael Chiesa with Lt. Coyle supervising his safety; both came with Ladder Company 146 as assistance was necessary in this complex and unusual operation.
Lowering himself to the victim, Andreas became briefly entangled by the same ropes, but was able to free himself and proceed. Just in time, he bear-hugged the screaming victim as the cable suspending him from the ceiling broke. They were both pulled into the third floor window and Lt. Tineo with help from Regis who was still on the platform made by the 12-foot ladder.
"I was a bit nervous, but all you could think about is saving this guy," said Andreas. "It was just like we trained at Probie School and in the house, and communication between the companies had a huge role in making it work."
(from left to right) Captain Daniel Keane of Division 11 and working at Ladder Company 108, Firefighter Joseph Andreas and Firefighter Matthew Regis, both of Ladder Company 108 in Brooklyn.
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