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Recognition of the McKinney Fire Department for 2015 Thanksgiving Rescues
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In the early morning hours of November 27, 2015, a fast moving storm passed through McKinney, dumping more than 6.5 inches of rain, creating hazardous conditions in many parts of the city.
At approximately 2:40 a.m., The McKinney Fire Department was dispatched on a water rescue call from an individual who was uncertain of his exact location. The caller stated that he was in a tree with his dog and that he wasn't sure how long he would keep phone service because he was about to be under water.
Public Safety Communications was able to track the cell towers his phone was pinging from and determined that the man and dog were likely in the vicinity of the 400 block of Eldorado Parkway, east of McDonald.
First responders arrived in the general vicinity in less than five minutes and began the search for the victim using flashlights and thermal imaging cameras. Victim was located and crews were directed by Incident Commander Kyle Easley to initiate a low angle rescue of one victim and a dog from the water below the Eldorado Wilson Creek bridge.
Firefighter Del Ray Pope was the designated Swiftwater rescue technician. The crews used Truck 1 aerial ladder to lower Pope, in a wetsuit, with appropriate harnesses and other rescue equipment into the water to make the rescue. Once making contact with the victim, Pope harnessed the individual as appropriate so that he was attached to the rescuer to avoid the possibility of slippage during the process of raising the ladder to bring them all up to ground level. The victim maintained hold on his canine throughout the rescue process.
The man was removed from harm's way and checked for injuries and then transported to a local hospital for further assessment. The pet was released to a family member on the scene.
A total of 14 personnel and six MFD apparatus participated in this response.
Battalion Chief Kyle Easley
Ca...
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