Of interest … Indianapolis FD high-angle rescue

Excerpts from the Indianapolis Fire Department Facebook page:

At 10:15 AM, a drone operated by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) got stuck on top of a construction crane overnight while on duty. The Indianapolis Fire Department's Tactical Team 7C took this opportunity to retrieve it and turn it into an impromptu high-angle rope and crane rescue training session.

High-angle rope rescues are inherently risky, technical, and require constant practice. While it might not seem common, incidents involving cranes do happen more often than people realize. The best part of today’s exercise? No one was in danger—just a pricey piece of equipment that had a mind of its own.

The operation was led by Lt. Ben Roberts, with Lt. Erik Baynard, who is SPRAT certified (Society of Professional Rope Access Technician), acting as the main rescuer, supported by firefighter Ryan Cundiff. The IFD team coordinated with the TWG Construction supervisor, who allowed them to proceed with the retrieval. The site is the future location of the Rise on Meridian apartment complex, which will include 269 units.

After the crane’s generator was shut off and locked out by the fire department, the two firefighters began their climb. The crane mast stands at about 130 feet, with the jib extending approximately 160 feet. The drone was positioned around 12 feet from the end of the jib. With only 3 mph winds, the crane was in weather-vane mode, so the climbers didn’t expect major issues.

Climbing started at 11:25 AM. Cundiff remained below the jib for backup, while Baynard reached the jib at 11:33 AM. He successfully transitioned to the top at 11:45 AM. At 11:56 AM, he informed command that he had reached the end of the crane’s safety cable and was using his fall protection system to continue. He reached the first transition point at 12:06 PM and retrieved the drone at 12:23 PM. It was safely brought down by 12:33 PM. Both firefighters began descending at 12:38 PM and were back on the ground at 1:26 PM.

The drone sustained some minor damage but nothing that couldn’t be easily repaired and returned to service. We’re proud of our tactical teams and how they make the most of every opportunity to train and improve.

The incident highlights the unique and unpredictable nature of modern firefighting. From drones to cranes, the skills required today go beyond traditional emergency response. This event wasn’t just about retrieving a lost device—it was about keeping critical skills sharp and ensuring our team is always ready for any situation.