NEED TO KNOW
- The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) was dispatched at approximately 9:17 a.m., local time on Thursday, Dec. 4, to the 7900 block of Tysons One Place in Virginia
- Two people were suspended above the ground from a malfunctioning window-washing basket
- The workers were successfully rescued and no injuries were reported
Two window washers are safe after they were rescued from a malfunctioning scaffolding in Virginia on Thursday.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) was dispatched at approximately 9:17 a.m., local time on Thursday, Dec. 4, to the 7900 block of Tysons One Place in Tysons, Va., regarding a “high-angle emergency” in which two people were suspended above the ground from a malfunctioning window-washing basket, according to social media updates from the department.
Technical Rescue units met with building management, who explained that the scaffold suffered a mechanical failure, leaving the two window washers stranded roughly 15 stories above the ground, the department shared.
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The workers were attempting to clean the windows of Tysons Tower, according to Northern Virginia Magazine. The tower stands 22 stories tall and is home to financial, consulting, and technology firms, per its website.
Rescue crews quickly made their way to the roof of the building, where they analyzed the situation, “evaluated anchor options for rope systems, surveyed potential edge hazards, assessed wind conditions, and attempted to determine the stability of the compromised scaffold,” said the FCFRD.
Upon arrival, rescue crews constructed “twin-tension rope-lowering systems” that were anchored to the building’s steel beams, FCFRD said.
fairfaxc ounty fire rescue
The first rescue was made at around 10:07 a.m., FFXNow reported, citing scanner traffic.
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The FCFRD said that the rescuer performed a controlled transition over the edge and descended to the worker. After reaching the worker, they assessed the safety of their harness.
fairfaxc ounty fire rescue
The rescuer then secured the worker into their rope system, and both individuals were lowered simultaneously into the tower ladder bucket below.
After the completion of the first rescue, the rope systems were hauled back up and reset for the second operation, which was completed at 10:24 a.m., per FXXNow, citing scanner traffic.
The FCDRD shared multiple photos and a video of the rescue, highlighting the scale of the rescue operation.
fairfaxc ounty fire rescue
“After the workers were rescued, crews recovered all equipment, dismantled the anchors, and performed a final safety check,” the FCFRD said.
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“We are extremely proud of our technical rescue members,” the organization continued. “Thanks to their expertise there were no injuries and everyone went home safe.”
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