2020 has been a difficult year that most people can’t wait to put behind them. While some of us couldn’t turn the news off, others couldn’t bear to turn it on.
Amid all the high-profile coverage, many not-so-sensational news stories were undoubtedly lost in the shuffle. Let’s take a (mostly) lighthearted look at a few of these missed gems as we recount some of this year’s most unusual fire service calls.
You just can’t make up some of these stories!
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR
New York, N.Y. – FDNY firefighters were able to save the day after a New Year’s Eve engagement story ended with the ring falling down a grate. Danny Tay proposed to Asha Cesar at midnight in Prospect Park. They were returning to their car after celebrating when the ring fell off Asha’s finger and into the storm drain. After attempting to retrieve the ring to no avail, the couple went to the nearest fire station for help. The crew of Engine 249 headed to the scene with coat hangers and duct tape. Firefighters were able to retrieve the ring from 5 feet beneath the grate and return it to the happy couple.
GOODWILL GONE BAD
Paterson, N.J. – In January, firefighters rescued a 38-year-old woman from inside a clothing donation bin where she had been trapped for three days. She said she was reaching into the bin when someone pushed her inside. A passerby heard the woman screaming for help and called 911. Firefighters cut open the door at the bottom of the bin. Police say it is the third time the same woman has been trapped inside a clothing donation bin.
BEES MAKE FIRE STATION VISIT
Modesto, Calif. – In April, a woman left her job at the courthouse to find a swarm of bees on her car. She figured the bees would fly off once she drove away, so she got in her car and headed for the highway. Although some flew off, not all did, so she drove to a local fire station for help. The terrified woman was now trapped inside her vehicle by thousands of bees. Modesto firefighters contacted a local beekeeper, who advised them to mist the bees with water. With their wings water-laden, they fell off and relocated – right onto the division chief’s SUV. A beekeeper soon arrived on scene to gather up what was left of the colony into a bee box.
ARMED AND DANGEROUS … WITH A SOCK?
Bellevue, Fla. – Claudia Jean Cyr, 64, was arrested in late August and charged with battery on a firefighter. The woman approached Marion County Fire Rescue firefighters during a fire investigation saying she had information about the incident. When they asked her to leave the area until they were able to speak to her, she complied but returned, shouting obscenities. When the firefighters again asked her to leave, she left and returned again, this time with a sock filled with two soup cans. The woman said she swung the sock at firefighters because she was afraid they were going to hurt her. One firefighter was struck twice on the right shoulder.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Bristol Bay, Ala. – On a Saturday night in July, Dawson Cody Porter stole a fire engine from the King Salmon Fire Station and drove 15 miles with lights flashing. The 22-year-old had broken a fire station window and then driven the fire truck through the closed bay doors to make his getaway. He was arrested when he stopped at the Fisherman’s Bar, a local watering hole. Porter caused approximately $10,000 worth of damage, and the $100,000 truck was temporarily placed out of service while it awaited repairs.
SUBTERRANEAN ADVENTURES
Taylor, Pa. – In late June, firefighters rescued a man who reportedly wandered the sewer for three days. Taylor Fire Department crews were called to perform a rescue in the parking lot of an industrial park. They initially attempted to remove the storm grate using a forklift. When that was unsuccessful, they proceeded to cut through the grate with two K-saws. The rescue took approximately 30 minutes. According to the man, who appeared to be in good health, he had entered the sewer somewhere near Scranton and was unable to escape. Although he was alert and talkative, EMS took him to the hospital for evaluation.
TEENAGER GIVES GUN SAFETY A NEW MEANING
Orlando, Fla. – The Orlando Fire Department responded to an August call regarding a 15-year-old girl who was locked inside a gun safe. The teenager apparently walked inside the display at Shooters World gun range and showroom, and the door fell shut behind her. According to ClickOrlando.com, crews attempted to follow manufacturer’s instructions to rescue the girl, but the safe’s fail-safe system had failed. The fire department then called in their special teams units, who forced the door of the safe using hydraulic extrication tools. The crews were able to communicate with the girl throughout the ordeal to ensure her safety. She was eventually released unharmed.
HALLOWEEN DÉCOR ALARMS NEIGHBORS
Riverside, Calif. – One family’s Halloween display has caused a real scare this October. Carmen and Travis Long’s addition of bright orange “fire” in their windows has caused some to believe the house was ablaze. In fact, the fake flames appeared so realistic that firefighters have been called to the home multiple times.
FIREFIGHTERS WASTE NO TIME RESCUING HORSE
Ocala, Fla. – In November, firefighters received a dispatch for a horse that was trapped in a septic tank. Somehow, a 40-year-old horse known as Buddy Bear had fallen into the unknown depths of the tank. Firefighters arrived on-scene to find the horse almost submerged. They immediately called in Special Operations HAZMAT Heavy Rescue 1 and Technical Rescue Team Heavy Rescue 2 teams to assist in the rescue. Using fire hose, the teams created a sling to support the horse and then hoist him out of the tank. Buddy Bear is reportedly doing fine.
ROLLER COASTER RESCUE
San Antonio, Tex. – The San Antonio Fire Department was called to SeaWorld San Antonio in late November to participate in a technical rescue. Thirteen people were riding the Wave Breaker: Rescue Coaster when it malfunctioned and got stuck at the top of a steep incline. Firefighters used their aerial to rescue the stranded riders. The rescue effort took more than 3 hours, with no injuries reported.
