The video below shows numerous Polish firefighters rescuing two people from the third story of a building that is going pretty good. The firefighters set a ground ladder to rescue the civilians and the unthinkable happens.
The video is slow to start, stick with it as it quickly becomes a learning experience.
The firefighters didn’t really have many other options for a different outcome. The only thing I noticed that might not have been ideal is the angle of the ladder. In the conditions they were operating under they had to act swift though!
Check it out!
Wow, that is tough to watch.
I sincerely hope all were ok!
Wow, that is tough to watch.
I sincerely hope all were ok!
Why is this being headlined as a “rescue”? These folks held on as long as humanly possible and then fell to the ground. That does not in any way, shape or form resemble a “rescue” … I hope everyone involved is okay.
Why is this being headlined as a “rescue”? These folks held on as long as humanly possible and then fell to the ground. That does not in any way, shape or form resemble a “rescue” … I hope everyone involved is okay.
I assure you Kleetis that those people were not left for dead on that pavement. While the actual actions of the firefighters might have been choreographed differently, the outcome could not be foreseen. No fire we go on will ever be “perfect”. Judging from the actions of the firefighters they did all they could.
The gentleman could not hold on any longer. The firefighter was on his way up the ladder to grab him. Unfortunately the gentleman took out the firefighter on the way down.
It should be noted that the woman appears to have been caught (to a point). After which I am certain that the firefighters tended to the two “victims” as well as the injured firefighter(s).
Critic, I never insinuated that they neglected to render first aid to the victims after they fell to the ground. It's unfortunate that the definition of a 'rescue' has become so casually assigned to virtually any action at a fire scene where a victim somehow gets out of a burning building. Apparently only a few large city fire departments still reserve the use of the term 'rescue' for situations where a firefighter , under great personal risk, successfully removes a trapped person from harm's way. Everything else is referred to simply as 'assisting a victim'. I'm sorry that civilians and firefighters appear to have been injured in this incident, but there was no rescue performed. This is not a slap at the Polish Firefighters, it's an attempt to educate folks in the fire service as well as folks who report on the fire service as to what constitutes a 'rescue'.
The term rescue is used improperly as often as is the term 'hero' ( I've seen Dale Earnhart, numerous athletes, the president, etc. called heroes.) The same concept of placing oneself at great personal risk while rescuing a victim applies also to the term hero.
Critic, I never insinuated that they neglected to render first aid to the victims after they fell to the ground. It's unfortunate that the definition of a 'rescue' has become so casually assigned to virtually any action at a fire scene where a victim somehow gets out of a burning building. Apparently only a few large city fire departments still reserve the use of the term 'rescue' for situations where a firefighter , under great personal risk, successfully removes a trapped person from harm's way. Everything else is referred to simply as 'assisting a victim'. I'm sorry that civilians and firefighters appear to have been injured in this incident, but there was no rescue performed. This is not a slap at the Polish Firefighters, it's an attempt to educate folks in the fire service as well as folks who report on the fire service as to what constitutes a 'rescue'.
The term rescue is used improperly as often as is the term 'hero' ( I've seen Dale Earnhart, numerous athletes, the president, etc. called heroes.) The same concept of placing oneself at great personal risk while rescuing a victim applies also to the term hero.
I understand your frustration with the “rescue”. However, it was a little more than firefighters showing up and finding two people laying on the ground after the fall.
As for the word “hero”, I used it as a form of respect for my polish brothers. I do not believe the term is over-used. Possibly misused as you point out though!
As for me and most firefighters (yourself probably included), no matter what we do we will probably never freely accept being referred to as a “hero”. Heroic on the other hand I do think fights the bill here. We all understand gravity, and we all know what happens when you put a ladder under a victim (they try to make it). I have seen other instances (video too) of firefighters being yanked off a ladder by a falling victim they were going to rescue.
I appreciate your comments and I understand your point. However, I will stick to my reference.
10-4 Brother … You have a right to your opinion as do I. Let us 'agree to disagree' on this one.
Stay safe…