City of Pittsburgh

Shortly after 5 am, EMS Medic 5, Rescue 1, Rescue 2, District Chief 502, and Division Chief 501 responded to Lawn Street in Oakland for a female over a hillside. The adult female was located 100 feet over a cliff, between Lawn Street and Interstate 376. Rescue paramedics completed a high angle technical rescue to lower paramedics to the victim, secure her in a patient harness, and raise her back up the hillside using multiple ropes. EMS Rescue crews were assisted on scene by Pittsburgh Fire and Police. The female patient was transported to the hospital in stable condition, it is unclear how she ended up over the cliff. This is the third technical rope rescue in the past week performed by the EMS Rescue Division, highlighting the importance of the Rescue Divisions continued training in this discipline of technical rescue.

EMS Training Tuesday! This fall, all Pittsburgh paramedics and emergency medical technicians will complete an 8-hour continuing education session at the EMS Training Division. Crews will participate in classroom education followed by scenario-based training in safe sedation practices, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Hazardous Materials Medicine, and Incident Command. This course ensures that the more than 200 providers at Pittsburgh EMS function as a well-trained team during complex incidents. Pittsburgh EMS provides all required continuing education internally through our Training Division, ensuring all providers have enough CEUs to keep their certifications up to date.