Atlantic City firefighters and EMTs helped rescue a worker who fell 15 feet below a metal grate Saturday afternoon at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority on Absecon Boulevard.
The man was part of a crew working on installation of new equipment at the head structure at the ACUA Wastewater Treatment plant in Atlantic City, ACUA President Rick Dovey told BreakingAC.
Firefighters Daniel Lopez and Brian Berthold along with EMT Christina Cooper repelled down to assist the worker and get him read to be pulled up to safety, Fire Chief Scott Evans said.
Engine 3, Rescue 1, Battalion 1 and Engine 4 were called to the scene, under Capt. Bernard Fox and acting Battalion Chief Kevin Munn.
"This was extraordinary teamwork with EMS and the firefighters, working in an area where there were several inches of sewage with limited visibility and limited access and egress," Evans said.
Fire Union President John Varallo also commended the firefighters' work.
"Thank you to the members who assisted and performed a truly dangerous rescue," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family as we wish him a speedy recovery."
The worker suffered no serious injuries, but is being held overnight at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center for observation, Dovey said.
"We are extremely appreciative for the swift and professional response by the Atlantic City Emergency Service personnel and the staff at (AtlantiCare)," he said
