Excerpts from the Indianapolis Fire Department Facebook page:

At 10:15 AM, an IMPD drone got stuck on top of a construction crane during its overnight mission. The IFD Tactical Team 7C saw this as a perfect opportunity to conduct some impromptu high-angle rope and crane training. They worked with Indy Public Safety Logistics to retrieve the drone, turning a minor issue into a valuable real-world exercise.

 

High-angle rope rescue is a complex and dangerous skill that requires constant practice. While it's not common for firefighters to deal with cranes, it's more frequent than people might realize. This time, instead of rescuing a person, they were retrieving a drone — a piece of expensive equipment that had taken off on its own.

 

Under the supervision of Lt. Ben Roberts, Lt. Erik Baynard, who is SPRAT certified, led the operation while Private Ryan Cundiff provided backup. The team contacted the TWG Construction supervisor, who allowed them to safely retrieve the drone. The site is set to become the future home of the Rise on Meridian apartments, which will include 269 units.

 

After the crane’s generator was shut down and locked out by IFD, the two firefighters began their climb. The crane mast stood at around 130 feet tall, with a jib extending about 160 feet. The drone was located just 12 feet from the end of the jib. With only 3 mph winds, the crane was in weather-vane mode, making the climb safer than expected.

 

The climb started at 11:25 AM. Cundiff remained below the jib as backup while Baynard reached the jib at 11:33 AM. He successfully transitioned to the top at 11:45 AM. At 11:56 AM, he reported reaching the end of the crane’s safety cable and began using his fall protection system. He made the first transition on the jib at 12:06 PM and retrieved the drone at 12:23 PM. It was brought back to safety at 12:33 PM. Both climbers began their descent at 12:38 PM and returned to the ground safely at 1:26 PM.

 

The drone sustained minor damage but nothing serious — it should be back in service soon. We’re proud of our tactical teams and how they turn unexpected situations into valuable training moments.

 

This kind of hands-on experience is rare and incredibly important for maintaining the skills our crews rely on every day.

Indianapolis FD photo

Indianapolis FD photo

Indianapolis FD photo

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