Columbus Firefighters Save Worker in Cardiac Arrest on Roof

When a worker's chest pain turned into cardiac arrest 40 feet above an Easton Town Center parking lot, Columbus firefighters pulled off a life-saving rescue that belonged in an action movie.

The man, in his 40s, was working on the roof of the AMC theater on the morning of June 17 when he started experiencing chest pain. His coworkers knew they couldn't safely bring him down their ladder, so they called 911.

Fire Lt. Nick Davis said the situation escalated quickly. While firefighters were evaluating the man on the roof, he went into full cardiac arrest and collapsed.

The team sprang into action with a specialized rescue plan. They attached a Stokes basket, a sturdy stretcher designed for high-angle rescues, to one of their aerial ladders and carefully loaded the unconscious worker inside.

But here's where the rescue became truly remarkable. A rescue paramedic hooked himself to the basket alongside the patient and rode down with him. As the ladder slowly lowered them to the ground, the paramedic used a bag valve mask to provide oxygen while a mechanical CPR device on the man's chest continuously performed compressions.

The entire operation required precise coordination between two fire battalions, six trucks, and an ambulance crew. Every second counted, and the team worked flawlessly together.

Why This Inspires

This rescue showcases the incredible training and equipment modern fire departments bring to emergencies. The Columbus Division of Fire didn't just have the right tools. They had paramedics trained to perform life-saving medical care while dangling from a ladder stories above the ground.

The mechanical CPR device allowed continuous, effective chest compressions during a situation where manual CPR would have been nearly impossible. Combined with oxygen delivery and the speed of the rescue, the worker had the best possible chance at survival.

Davis confirmed that medics delivered the man to a local hospital alive and in critical condition. Most importantly, he still had a pulse when they handed him over to emergency room staff.

For the coworkers who made the call not to attempt the rescue themselves, their decision likely saved their colleague's life. Recognizing when to call in professionals with specialized equipment takes wisdom many people lack in high-stress moments.

The successful rescue reminds us that behind every fire truck sits a team capable of extraordinary things when seconds matter most.