11/12/2026
Recently, Greenville firefighters used our 100-foot tower ladder to remove an elderly man from a vehicle in the Shenango River. Questions have been raised about whether this response was excessive. We want to explain the circumstances and the decisions behind the rescue.
Shallow water beside the vehicle did not mean there was a safe walking path to shore. Although the man was standing in ankle-deep water, deeper water separated him from the riverbank. Walking him through that water that was estimated at 48–50 degrees would have exposed him to additional cold and created unnecessary risks.
The tower ladder provided a way to remove him while avoiding that deeper water and limiting additional exposure.
Our response begins with the information provided at dispatch. Firefighters were dispatched for a vehicle in the river with an elderly man. Until crews arrived and assessed the scene, they could not know whether the vehicle was in four inches of water or four feet. Multiple fire apparatus responded because deeper water could have required additional personnel and equipment, including a rescue team positioned downstream in case the man or rescuers were carried away by the current. The initial response must prepare for those possibilities based on the information available when the call comes in.
Staffing was another important factor. One firefighter/EMT was already committed to a separate medical emergency, awaiting an ambulance responding from the valley with an approximately 25-minute response time. That reduced the personnel immediately available for the river rescue. Responding firefighters had to make effective use of the equipment, training, and resources available at that moment.
Having the right equipment matters even more when personnel are limited. Greenville’s regular on-duty staffing is two firefighters, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. We would welcome the additional capabilities that four to six on-duty firefighters could provide. With current staffing, our crews must continually assess conditions and choose tactics that protect both the people who need help and the firefighters performing the rescue.
We welcome questions about our work. Stop by the station, meet your firefighters, and learn about our equipment, training, and the challenges we face. Constructive conversations help everyone better understand the decisions made at an emergency scene.
Your Greenville firefighters put their heart, time, and training into serving this community. On this call, the goal was straightforward: get the man safely out of the river while minimizing further risk.
