Firefighters from the Monsey Fire Department and South Spring Valley Fire Department have been nominated for a prestigious unit citation after performing two complex technical rescues on the same morning, saving the lives of two severely injured construction workers.
The first incident occurred around 8:42 AM at a construction site on Scotland Hill Road, where a worker had fallen and been struck by heavy building materials on an upper floor. Due to the limited access and seriousness of the injuries, firefighters used Aerial 7-75 and a rope system to secure the victim in a stokes basket and carefully lower him to EMS waiting below. The patient was removed shortly before 9:35 AM.
About 30 minutes later, firefighters were dispatched to Dykstras Way East for another emergency involving a worker who had fallen more than 20 feet into a basement area. Crews descended into the confined space, stabilized the patient, and set up high-point anchors and a 4:1 haul system to safely lift him out. Rope technicians from the Rockland County Technical Rescue Team evaluated the rigging before the victim was removed around 11:00 AM.
More than 30 firefighters took part in the two rescues, working seamlessly across departments to perform highly technical operations under challenging conditions. Both victims survived thanks to the coordinated efforts and specialized skills of the responding crews.
