Henry County Fire Department rescues dog from 40 foot well
HENRY COUNTY, Ga. - Firefighters rescued a beloved family dog that fell down a forty foot well Monday, September 26, according to the Henry County Fire Department.
The rescue took place in the area of Antioch Road off of Highway 81 in McDonough. The Henry County Animal Control was dispatched the scene to investigate and quickly realized that technical assistance was needed to extricate the dog safely from the well. An urgent call was placed to the fire department and additional resources were quickly immobilized.
Crews from Station ten, eleven, twelve and several members of Henry County’s Technical Rescue Team made their way to the scene. After determining the scene was clear of any collapse hazards and hidden dangers; focus was turned to extrication efforts. Crews quickly erected a rope rescue system, including a tripod used for raising and lowering rescuers into confined spaces. The air quality in the well was tested and additional surface air was pumped into the confined space to aid in a safe rescue. The all clear was then given by command signaling the lowering of a single firefighter into the well. Forty feet below, contact was made with the dog and the journey to the surface began. After emerging from the well, crew members and witnesses were elated to discover the dog showed no signs of injury. Bama, as the yellow lab was known to family and friends, joyfully greeted each rescuer in turn.
The Technical Rescue Team is designed to augment the response of the Henry County Fire Department. The team is a specially trained group of firefighters drawn from the ranks of the department. They have been trained in swift water, dive rescue and recovery, hazardous materials, and structural collapse. The team utilizes their extensive rope and rigging experience to rescue victims in ravines or other places inaccessible to fire service ladders.
Deputy Chief Johnson stated, “We are proud of the hard work and dedication the men and women of the department demonstrate each day on the job. They train to make a difference regardless of what lives may be at risk.”