Crime & Safety

Firefighters Use Ladder to Walk Stranded Motorists to Dry Land

Fairfax City Fire responded to five swiftwater rescue calls Friday night.

Fairfax City firefighters extended a truck ladder out to a family stranded in their vehicle in four feet of rising flood water last night. They also responded to other swiftwater rescues in the Prosperity Avenue, Woodburn Road area outside city limits.

Prosperity Avenue and Woodburn Road are notorious flood spots, said Fairfax City Fire Chief Dave Rohr. The two roads didn't disappoint after last night's severe storms.

In all, city firefighters responded to five swiftwater calls Friday night. Here are the highlights:

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Station No. 3 firefighters extended the aerial ladder on their rescue truck to its maximum length and used it to guide two adults and three children from their flooded vehicle on Woodburn Road. Along with Fairfax County firefighters, specially-trained city rescuers used the ladder as a walkway to the stranded car and back to dry land.

City firefighters used their swiftwater rescue boat (imagine a boat used in water rapids tours, only outfitted with military specs and equipment) to pluck a motorist from rising flood waters on Prosperity Avenue.

Find out what's happening in Fairfax Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

They also came to the aid of Burke firefighters, whose boat towing vehicle broke down on Woodburn Road. City firefighters helped the neighboring crew by towing the boat back to their station with the city's Battalion Chief SUV. 

The city fire department isn't a stranger to flood rescues. To prepare, they assign specially trained personnel at the city's two fire stations during all shifts to respond if needed. These firefighters and medics have completed varying levels of training, with the most advanced in water rescue operations working out of Station No. 33. 


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