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@pdxfire
This afternoon at approximately 3pm Portland Fire crews were called to the area of NE 14th and Multnomah to assist two people who had slipped down an embankment. Firefighters determined that the individuals weren’t injured, but were unable to get back up the steep hill without assistance. Firefighters from PF&R’s technical rescue team determined that the call warranted a low angle rope rescue. A low angle rope rescue means that crews need to use ropes due to slippery and steep terrain, but most of their weight is supported by the ground. A high angle rope rescue on the other hand is a rescue where crews need to have most or all of their weight supported by a rope system (you might see this when crews practice rescuing people from Portland’s aerial tram).
Crews were able to lower a ladder and one person was able to climb up to safety, but they needed to carry the other person up the slope on a rescue litter. The ladder climber was fine and left on their own while the other person was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening medical issues that were unrelated to the fall. Firefighters train and practice extensively for incidents like this and that work paid off today with a positive outcome. PF&R asks the public to remember that as the weather gets nicer, trails and slopes can still be slippery so use caution and make sure you’re prepared for emergencies.