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DeKalb County firefighters join Metro Atlanta aerial tree-rescue training amid warnings of industry fatalities
Summary
DeKalb County firefighters took part in a regional aerial tree-rescue training that trainers said prepares crews for rare but high-risk rescues; presenters warned of recent fatalities in the tree industry and emphasized training, equipment checks and communication to avoid a second victim.
DeKalb County firefighters joined first responders from across Metro Atlanta for specialized aerial tree-rescue training designed to prepare crews for people trapped high above ground, a reporter said.
The program, trainers said, focused on hands-on practice with the same gear used in real emergencies and repeated low-height scenarios so crews gain confidence before responding to taller, riskier incidents. "We'll literally put a victim, so to speak, which is a trained tree climber and in a lot of these cases is a firefighter also," a presenter identified in the transcript as Presenter (S3) said.
Why it matters: Trainers warned that tree-related rescues are rare but dangerous, and that inadequate familiarity can leave responders unprepared. "We are the most dangerous profession in the country right now," Presenter (S3) said, and added that "between June '24 and December 2024, we had 12 fatalities in Georgia alone." He framed training and repetition as the primary defenses against such outcomes.
Training details: Instructors walked crews through realistic rescue scenarios that use the same equipment available during actual emergencies, placing trained climbers 20 to 30 feet aloft for repeated practice until teams report confidence in gear and techniques. Presenter (S4) emphasized scene safety and communications, saying, "The first rule is to never become a 2nd victim," and stressing that ground crews must know what aloft rescuers are doing.
Trainers also contrasted safety standards in other trades with the tree industry, arguing that licensing and regulation are inconsistent: "If you go to get a manicure pedicure, the nail technician's gotta be licensed. But yet, the most dangerous profession in the country, if you have a chainsaw on a pickup truck, you could be in the tree business," Presenter (S3) said.
The segment closed by noting Metro Atlanta's extensive tree canopy and the large number of tree workers operating in the region, and said training aims to help first responders prepare for what presenters called one of the most challenging rescues they may face. Aviva Hoffman, DC TV, reported.
