IPSWICH — Fire Chief Paul Parisi reports that the Ipswich Fire Department responded to and successfully assisted in the rescue of a horse that had fallen through a stable floor.
On Monday, June 3 at approximately 9:27 a.m. Ipswich Fire Engine 2 responded to 383 Linebrook Road for a report of a horse that had fallen. Upon arrival, crews located the 9-year-old gelding named Valcour whose entire hind quarter had fallen through a hole in the floor of its stall and hung suspended above the stable’s lower level.
For the safety of the Valcour and that of the rescuers and staff, due to the size and position, the 1,200-pound horse was sedated for the entirety of the operation.
Crews began an immediate rescue response, with assistance from the Essex County Fire Chief Associations Northeast Technical Rescue Team, and used a small crane to lift the horse as rescuers worked to cut through and secure the floor.
Valcour was safely extracted from the floor at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Valcour was evaluated on-scene by SRH Veterinary Animal Hospital and ASPCA and is currently up and walking.
Ipswich Police, and the Ipswich Department of Public Works, also responded to the scene. Mutual aid was received by Rowley Fire Department who provided station coverage, along with off-duty and on-call Ipswich firefighters.
“I would like to thank our mutual aid partners for their assistance and response in safely extricating this horse. While this was a challenge given the size of the horse, it was an overall team effort and great save by all,” said Chief Parisi. “Our agencies went above and beyond in their efforts to safely remove Valcour from the floor. ” By working as a team we were able to bring this operation to a successful conclusion.”
Essex County Fire Chief Association Northeast Technical Rescue Team is comprised of firefighters from across the region who respond to technical incidents upon an incident commander’s request. Firefighters from North Reading, Stoneham, Lynnfield, North Andover, Arlington, Reading, and Burlington responded to this scene.
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