Firefighters used a local cell phone tower to work on high-angle rescue training. In addition to fire and medical calls, the department also responds to rescues involving swift water and high angles.
Battalion Chief Chris Scherff says high-angle rescue trainings are dangerous and require certain technical skills because they must carry their equipment and build a pulley and lever system to lower the test dummy.
Scherff says these rescues happen more frequently than one might think.
"We have a lot of radio towers, TV towers, cell towers, and they are all constantly being maintained so this could happen at any time," he said.
High-angle rescue may also include scaling tall buildings and deep holes. The department holds these trainings throughout the year to be prepared to serve the citizens of Fort Smith.