PHOTOS: Thirty feet from the top of Ragged Mountain’s cliff face on a rocky ledge, Southington firefighter Daniel Comen worked to bring a trainer — playing a fallen climber — safely to the ground.
Experience with ropes and safety systems is important for those rare but dangerous climbing accidents, firefighters said Tuesday. The department received a FEMA grant that paid for new equipment and training.
Ragged Mountain is a famous climb throughout the Northeast and beyond. The Ragged Mountain Foundation owns the land and allowed the Southington Fire Department access for training.
Fire Capt. Eric D’Arcy said there’s a lot to remember when it comes to rappelling off 100-foot cliffs, securing injured climbers in rescue baskets and searching rock ledges.
“We have to constantly train on it,” D’Arcy said. “If you don’t train on it, you’re going to forget everything.”