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Of interest … Indianapolis FD high-angle rescue
At 10:15 AM, a drone operated by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) got stuck on top of a construction crane during its overnight operations. The Indianapolis Fire Department’s Tactical Team 7C saw this as an unexpected but valuable opportunity to conduct some impromptu high-angle rope and crane rescue training. They coordinated with Indy Public Safety Logistics to retrieve the drone.
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High-angle rope rescue is a complex and risky operation that requires specialized equipment and constant training. While it might not seem common, situations involving cranes do happen more often than people realize. Fortunately, this time there were no human lives at risk—just a costly piece of tech that had gone rogue.
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The operation was led by Lt. Ben Roberts, with Lt. Erik Baynard, a certified SPRAT technician, acting as the primary rescuer. He was supported by firefighter Ryan Cundiff. The team reached out to the TWG Construction supervisor, who allowed them to proceed with the retrieval. The site is where the future Rise on Meridian apartments will be built, featuring 269 units.
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Before starting the climb, the fire department secured the crane by shutting off its power source and implementing a "lockout-tagout" procedure. The two firefighters began their ascent at 11:25 AM. The crane stood 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 a 3 mph wind, the crane was in weather-vane mode, making the climb relatively safe.
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Baynard reached the jib at 11:33 AM, and successfully transitioned to the top at 11:45 AM. At 11:56 AM, he reported that he had reached the crane’s safety cable and was preparing to use his fall protection system. He completed the first transition on the jib at 12:06 PM and successfully retrieved the drone at 12:23 PM. It was brought back to safety at 12:33 PM. Both firefighters started their descent at 12:38 PM and safely returned to the ground at 1:26 PM.
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The drone sustained minor damage but was repairable and could be returned to service soon. This event highlighted the importance of continuous training and preparedness for unusual scenarios. The IFD team is proud of their ability to turn unexpected situations into real-world training opportunities.
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This incident shows how even small challenges can become valuable learning moments for emergency responders.