Lacey Fire District No. 3
An army paratrooper is assisted by Lacey firefighter after being rescued from a tree on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Thursday. District 3 aided in the rescue of two paratroopers who were blown into trees during a training exercise.
Buy PhotoLacey Fire District No. 3
An army paratrooper is tangled in a tree on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Thursday. Lacey Fire District No. 3 aided in the rescue of two paratroopers who were blown into trees during a training exercise.
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD (AP) — Who ya gonna call when you’ve got two Army paratroopers stuck in trees?
Firefighters from nearby Lacey responded Thursday with a tall ladder truck. They’re part of the Thurston County Special Operations Rescue Team, which trains for things like tree rescues.
Battalion Chief Steve Crimmins says the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire Department brought one paratrooper down before his crew got there. The other was stuck higher in a different tree and Lacey firefighters used their tall ladder for that rescue.
Crimmins says Lewis-McChord fire personnel reported that the paratroopers were participating in a routine training jump when they encountered wind that blew them into the trees.
Lewis-McChord spokesman Joe Piek confirms no one was hurt. He adds the base is “just very thankful” to the Thurston County fire crew.
