In April of 2006 the Alton Fire Department was called to the rescue of an 18 year old woman who had attempted suicide by jumping off the 160-ft. tall river bluffs located in Alton, Illinois. Upon arriving, fire crews found the young woman screaming for help. After quickly sizing up the situation, the assistant chief determined that he should call in the fire department’s technical rescue instructors to assist in the rescue. I was summoned to the scene at 2:00 a.m. While wearing our Elbeco duty uniforms, another firefighter and I were lowered 40-ft. down the rock face to the victim. After assessing her injuries we trauma packaged her in a stokes basket. The victim and I were then lowered another 120-ft. to the road below. The young woman was transported to the hospital where she made a full recovery.
