Syracuse Firefighters Investigate Report of Person in Manhole

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – On March 15, 2023, at 3:02 p.m., Syracuse Fire Department units were dispatched to the area of Kirkpatrick Street at North Alvord Street, on the City’s North Side. The Onondaga County 911 center reported a possible person who had entered a manhole in the street at that location. Firefighters from Station 2 (Lodi St.) arrived on the scene in less than 2 minutes. Witnesses on the scene told fire personnel that they saw someone enter a manhole in the road, the person had not come back out. Syracuse Fire’s Rescue Company, with firefighters specially trained in confined space rescue, arrived on scene a short time later.

 

Firefighters set up a tripod to support a rope system and prepared to lower a member into the manhole to search for any potential victims. Any time a confined space entry is made, air quality monitoring in the space is vitally important. The Syracuse Fire Department Hazardous Materials Company (HazMat) also responded to the scene to perform air monitoring while firefighters searched.

 

A firefighter was lowered into the manhole, and was able to confirm that no one was in the immediate vicinity of the entry to the hole. The firefighter was retrieved to the surface. A decision was made to bring in members of Syracuse’s DPW. Their expert knowledge of sewer systems in the area, and specialized camera equipment, allowed emergency responders to effectively and efficiently continue the search for any potential victims, without endangering rescuers. Syracuse Police also responded to the scene, to assist with traffic control, and to gather information.

 

The pipes that were accessed from the manhole were reported to be 18” in diameter. After a thorough search of the manhole, and pipes going in both directions, no one was found. Fire units cleared the scene. The DPW remained on scene retrieving equipment.

This incident required a coordinated effort between various City departments. It highlights the great working relationship we have with our partners at the Syracuse DPW and the Syracuse Police Department. We thank them for their consummate professionalism, and quick response in assisting with this incident.