Portland Firefighters Rescue Arborist Pinned in Tree (PHOTOS)

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Portland Fire & Rescue's Specialty Rescue Team was called out at 11:43 a.m. on a report of an arborist who was pinned against a tree.

Lt. Damon Simmons with Portland Fire & Rescue says the man was cutting the tree when a large limb fell, striking him in the shoulder and pinning his harness and arm to the tree.

"When they arrived firefighters from Station 25 and Station 11 found the man still pinned in the tree but conscious and talking," Simmons said.

"Firefighters immediately began creating access to the man using the 100' tall aerial ladder mounted on top of the ladder truck."

Simmons says the unstable orientation of the branch and the height at which he was stuck (Approx. 35-40') necessitated a response by Portland Fire & Rescue's Specialty Rescue Team.

"When the team arrived they immediately put a plan in place and began securing the branch, to keep it from falling further on to the man, and the patient."

At this point Simmons says, firefighters were able to free the patient from the branch and he was able to climb down a ladder with the assistance of a rope system set up by firefighters.

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Uncle Cranky August 22, 2010 4:36 pm (Pacific time)

No PPE, tennis shoes, fall arrest harness with a soda pop bottle tied to it, not even a pair of safety glasses... this guy was no "arborist", much less a trained trimmer of any kind. Lucky he walked away. I'm sure that this will still make some statistical spreadsheet and I will pay the price in my insurance and bond fees. Was this man insured? Did he have a valid CCB#? Any training whatsoever in the trade?

Concerned ISA Arborist March 30, 2009 11:28 pm (Pacific time)

I am so afraid we are going to see more and more of this type of emergencies. We some many people out of work, they think that because they worked for a landscape or tree service when they where in college, that they can do it to pay their bills. Please remember that our job is very dangerous don't try to do our job. I am glad that this guy was not hurt to bad, he is very lucky. The news says this guy was an arborist, I don't think so, no arborist I know would attempted this job with tennis shoes. My only hope is that for those of you thinking about trying to make extra money, that you see this story and think again. Second, that anyone looking to hire a tree service, please make sure you do your research and hire a licensed, bonded, insured with workman's compensation and use a ISA Certified Arborist. Just about anyone can call themselves an arborist. For more information do a search for ISA Certified Arborist in your town.

E,Boldt March 30, 2009 12:12 am (Pacific time)

You always have the most vivid pictures. Terrific Photography

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