GASTONIA, N.C. – Two firefighters with the Gastonia Fire Department received Medal Of Valor awards after rescuing a woman from a 175-foot cell tower, according to a news release.
Firefighter Michael Chafin and Captain Barron Summey received the Medal of Valor awards at the Gastonia City Council meeting on February 20th.
“We are very proud to recognize these two gentlemen for an extraordinary rescue,” Chief Phil Welch of the Gastonia Fire Department said. “Their dedication to their work and bravery during this extraordinary circumstance is a testament to our mission as we proudly serve our community.”
Firefighters responded to a wellness check on January 14th for a person on Love Street in Ranlo, North Carolina. Upon arrival, a woman was found inside the fence surrounding a cell phone tower. When firefighters approached, she climbed up the tower.
The Fire Department’s 100-foot ladder was unable to reach the woman so Chafin and Summey climbed the 175-foot tower to rescue her.
“Shortly after Captain Summey reached her legs, she released her grip on the tower, as her leg folded over his shoulder,” Chief Welch said. “Captain Summey was able to grab her lower right leg as she was completely inverted. He quickly held her leg between the climbing peg and the tower, and his body, and was able to hold her with one arm as she hung upside down until she could be secured. At this time, firefighter Chafin quickly moved up and helped hold her weight, so he moved up and grabbed around her torso and squeezed her to the tower.”