4-Hour Extrication in Portland 1-16-13

[Guest]

At 0346 Engines 4, 3, Truck 4 and Batt. Chief 1 were dispatched to a report of a person trapped between a 1-story garage and a multi-story building at 1240 SW Columbia St. in downtown Portland. From the garage roof, we were able to see a young lady in the approximately 7 to 9-inch space between the buildings. She had fallen from the roof into that space.

The incident was upgraded to a confined space rescue, bringing Eng. 1, Truck 1, the Heavy Rescue Squad 1 and other specialized equipment.

Since there was no access, a large opening had to be cut in the cement block garage wall. The cutting generated a large amount of dust so they had to stop several times to clear the air to make sure she did not have any breathing problems.







Lt. Rich Chatman is in the opened wall helping the victim. This is Rich's last regular shift and tomorrow he starts as our new PIO.















Cutting off the victim's jacket to help with her removal.







Nearly freed.







Free at last and very happy after her 4-hour ordeal.







Off to the hospital for a checkup, although she did not seem to be injured.