Syracuse Firefighters Perform Confined Space Rescue

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – On April 8, 2023, at 4:15 p.m., Syracuse Firefighters responded to a report of a woman who had fallen into a sewer in the 500 block of South Salina Street. Firefighters arrived on scene moments later to investigate.

Firefighters from Engine Company 1, on E. Adams St. confirmed that someone had fallen into the manhole and was now trapped in the storm sewer below. They were able to make contact with the woman and confirm that she was conscious and alert. The Rescue Company arrived as well. The Rescue Company carries specialized equipment for entering confined spaces and performing below grade rescues. Rescue immediately began setting up a tripod and rope system to lift the victim out of the hole. Syracuse Fire’s HazMat team was also dispatched to the scene to monitor the air in the sewer and ensure it did not cause additional danger to the victim, or to rescuers. Truck Company 8 was also requested to the scene with additional equipment.

Once HazMat had confirmed that the air quality in the hole was safe, a firefighter was lowered into the hole to the trapped woman. The woman was injured, and unable to climb a ladder out of the hole, so the firefighter situated her in a harness, and a team of firefighters on the street utilized a pulley system to lift her out of the hole. Once out of the hole, the patient was handed off to a waiting AMR ambulance for evaluation. The injuries the patient sustained in the fall are not considered life threatening.

In total over 20 fire personnel from 4 different City Firehouses responded to this emergency, including command and support staff. Syracuse police and American Medical Response were also on scene. We thank our partners at SPD, AMR, and Onondaga County 911.