VIDEO: On April 26, when a ride stalled at Elitch Gardens and left dozens of people suspended in the air for nearly an hour, one team of rescuers was ready to jump into action. When rides like that get stuck, Denver Fire Departmentโs Rescue Company 2 is prepared to put themselves literally out on a limb to save lives. On average throughout the year, the crew at Denver Fire Station 10 spends 90% of its calls responding to what youโd expect.
โResponding to every structure fire in the city and auto entrapment within the city,โ said Captain Brac Heiss. But according to Heiss, the other 10% is their specialty: Technical rescues in seven different disciplines, one of which is high angles. โThe primary purpose is to evacuate anyone thatโs in an elevated environment,โ said Heiss. โThat could be a window washer, that could be a construction worker.โ
That means anyone who finds themselves stuck out of the reach of the fire departmentโs aerial equipment, like a rescue from the top of a tower in Thornton last year, 300 feet above the ground, or any time a ride at Elitch Gardens might get stuck. The high-angle team arrives with plenty of gear in hand.
