Trooper 7 Chopper Pulls Icy Firefighters

from Sinking Fire Rescue Boat in Potomac

(Charles County, MD) Jan 12, 2009) – While responding to rescue two people in the Potomac River after their canoe overturned, Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 7 ended up rescuing two Charles County firefighters when their rescue boat lost power and began taking on water.

 At just before noon today, Maryland State Police helicopters Trooper 7 (Pilot Curt Ott and Flight Paramedic Trooper First Class Jeremy Everly) and Trooper 2 (Pilot Ron Smith, Pilot Luca Roseano, and Flight Paramedic Trooper First Class Steve Proctor) were dispatched to the Potomac River near Sweden Point in Charles County, Maryland to rescue two persons in the water after their canoe overturned.

            Prior to reaching the scene, it was determined that the two canoeists were safe on shore, but now a rescue boat was in distress.  A Fire-Rescue boat from Charles County Station 8 was responding to the scene when the vessel lost power and began taking on water.  The two firefighters aboard the fifteen foot airboat reported that the bilge pump was inoperable and large chunks of ice in the river were threatening their boat. The area around the vessel was filled with ice and the air temperature was below freezing.

            With no other vessels able to approach the stranded rescue boat, Trooper 7 (Ott and Everly) lowered a rescue basket to the bow of the boat and hoisted the first firefight to safety. The firefighter’s cold weather suit and personal flotation device were covered with ice when he was transferred from the rescue basket to the helicopter.  The rescue basket was lowered again and the second firefighter was hoisted safely to Trooper 7. 

            Trooper 7 landed at the Indian Head Naval Weapons Center where Everly assessed the physical condition of both firefighters. Thanks to their cold weather suits and prompt rescue by Trooper 7, both firefighters were in good condition.