Springfield Township, PA – Last evening, members of the Springfield Volunteer Fire Department conducted their weekly drill, focusing on a recent high-risk, low-frequency incident that occurred in Erie County. Crews gathered at Springfield Elementary School, where a training scenario was staged involving a bucket truck positioned next to a utility pole.

Two distinct rescue scenarios were explored, giving firefighters an opportunity to better understand bucket truck operations, practice pulley and harness techniques, and work through the complexities of these rare but dangerous situations. In each case, crews emphasized the importance of scene safety, including waiting for the power company’s “all clear” before approaching a possibly energized scene. To add realism, both scenarios involved a simulated electrical discharge that rendered the bucket truck inoperable, preventing the bucket from being lowered.


Scenario One: Medical Emergency in the Bucket
In the first simulation, the individual inside the bucket suffered a sudden electrical discharge that led to medical complications and rendered the patient unresponsive, though still with a pulse, and without the protection of a safety harness. Crews quickly positioned a ground ladder against the utility pole, allowing a rescuer to ascend and make initial patient contact. After assessing vitals, it was confirmed that the patient was unresponsive but had an intact pulse.

At the ground level, firefighters discussed safe methods for removal. Once a plan was established, a second rescuer climbed the ladder, entered the bucket, and secured the patient in a safety harness. Meanwhile, crews on the ground prepared a rope-and-pulley system anchored to stable points. This system provided the control needed to gradually support and transfer the patient’s weight.

With coordinated communication between the rescuer in the bucket and the ground team, the patient was carefully lifted over the edge of the bucket and caried down ladder step by step. Once safely on the ground, the patient was transferred to EMS for definitive care.


Scenario Two: Extraction and Recovery from the Bucket
The second simulation took a different approach, focusing on a scenario where the individual in the bucket was incapacitated and needed to be fully extracted. With the bucket rendered inoperable due to the simulated electrical event, crews once again relied on rope systems and manual techniques to complete the rescue.

Firefighters established a pulley system directly above the bucket, allowing rescuers to secure and lift the patient out vertically. This required precise coordination, as the victim had to be raised high enough to clear the edge of the bucket without compromising safety. Once free of the confined space, the patient was transitioned into a lowering system, which allowed ground crews to slowly and steadily bring them down to safety.

Unlike the first scenario, which required rescuers to work within the bucket, this evolution tested the crew’s ability to manage a technical rope rescue in midair. It reinforced the need for proper rigging, anchor points, and redundancy in case of equipment failure.


Through both scenarios, Springfield firefighters gained valuable, hands-on experience in technical rescue procedures. Though situations like these may only occur a handful of times during a responder’s career, they require absolute precision, teamwork, and preparation when they do. Training of this nature ensures crews are ready to act swiftly and safely should a real incident occur in the community.