Heavy Urban Rescue Team Called to Assist in Electrocution Response

The City of Madison Fire Department's Heavy Urban Rescue Team (HURT) was called to assist after a reported electrocution of an electrician at the UW Humanities Building. Firefighters were called to the scene at 4:15 this afternoon. Upon arrival, Engine Company 4 was directed to an area above the concert hall stage by UW Police. After viewing the access to the attic area above the stage where the patient was located, Engine 4 immediately called for the Heavy Rescue Team to assist in retrieving the patient. The attic area is two stories above the stage, accessible only by ladders through a narrow shaft. Firefighters and paramedics scaled the ladders to attend to the patient. When the HURT team arrived, crews set up a ropes system and placed the patient in a harness to safely lower him to an area where he could be transferred to a stretcher. He was transported to UW Hospitals. The HURT team is trained to respond to a variety of emergencies that include, but are not limited to confined space, high/low angle rope, trench collapse, and building collapse rescues.