PAWLING, N.Y. – Quick action by volunteer firefighters in Pawling helped save a man who was seriously injured after falling from the roof of Pawling Middle School Friday night. Officials say the rescue operation, which included a medevac helicopter transport, was completed in less than 40 minutes from the time the call came in.
Worker Falls While on HVAC Job
According to Pawling Fire Chief Everett White, the victim, a 50-year-old man, was part of a crew performing maintenance on roof-mounted HVAC units at the middle school. Around 9 p.m., the man reportedly lost his footing and fell approximately 15 to 20 feet onto a secondary roof structure below.
Though he avoided falling all the way to the ground, the drop caused significant injuries that required immediate medical attention.
Firefighters and Medics Respond
More than a dozen volunteer firefighters from the Pawling Fire Department responded to the scene, working quickly alongside medics to stabilize the victim. Because of the location of the fall, rescuers had to carefully secure the man before moving him from the rooftop to an area where emergency transport could reach him safely.
Once stabilized, the injured worker was carried to an awaiting medevac helicopter, which transported him to a nearby hospital for further treatment. His current condition has not been publicly released.
A Rapid, Coordinated Effort
Dispatch records highlight just how efficiently the rescue was carried out. From the initial call to the moment the helicopter lifted off with the patient onboard, only 38 minutes had elapsed.
That time frame included the roughly 15 minutes required for the medevac crew to launch from its base and travel to Pawling. Chief White praised his department’s teamwork and speed, noting that the swift response gave the victim the best possible chance at recovery.
Importance of Volunteer Firefighters
The Pawling incident underscores the critical role volunteer fire departments continue to play in local communities. In emergencies such as Friday night’s fall, trained volunteers often serve as the first line of response, providing lifesaving care before hospital treatment is available.
While many larger cities rely on full-time professional departments, smaller towns like Pawling depend heavily on volunteers willing to respond at all hours. This rescue, officials said, demonstrated the professionalism and dedication of local firefighters.
Conclusion
A routine maintenance job at Pawling Middle School turned dangerous Friday night when a worker fell from the roof. Thanks to the quick response of more than a dozen volunteer firefighters and the coordination of medics and flight crews, the man was stabilized and airlifted to safety within minutes.
Authorities have not released the man’s identity, but the focus remains on his recovery while officials commend the firefighters’ rapid and effective response.
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