(COLUMBIA, MO) ~ Columbia Fire Department (CFD) units were dispatched to a unique search-and-rescue mission on Thursday evening in the area of West Broadway and East Parkway Drive. The call came in at 5:08 p.m. for a 12-year-old child who had gained access to an underground stormwater runoff system.

Upon arrival, CFD units immediately recognized the danger and upgraded their response by adding Special Operations Teams to the scene. These teams brought specialized technical rescue and hazardous materials equipment and personnel to assist in locating the child, who was believed to be trapped underground in an unknown area.

Firefighters conducted grid searches both above and below ground, working closely with the Columbia Police Department and other agencies in an attempt to locate the child. As the search continued, incident commanders called in City of Columbia Utilities stormwater crews for their expertise in mapping the underground infrastructure.

With the help of these maps, CFD crews were able to access areas that were previously inaccessible during their initial search. Personnel from Utilities worked alongside CFD members to place a remote-controlled camera into the stormwater pipe where the child was believed to be located. This allowed them to evaluate conditions and determine an exact location for access.

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Once a location was determined, CFD and Utilities personnel attached a rope to the remote-controlled camera and delivered it to the child inside the pipe. The child was able to grab onto the rope and was safely pulled out using a haul system by CFD crews at approximately 9:40 p.m.

The child was then treated by paramedics on scene before being transported by University of Missouri Health Care EMS to a local hospital. Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer commended his team for their efforts, stating that they train for these types of situations and their discipline, teamwork, and willingness to put themselves in harm's way speaks volumes about their dedication to serving others.

In total, 16 trucks with 26 personnel from CFD were on scene, with the tour commander coordinating the recall of off-duty personnel to ensure there were no reductions in service during the incident. The department would also like to thank their partner agencies, including the Columbia Police Department, City of Columbia Utilities, and MU Health Care Emergency Services for their assistance.

This successful rescue serves as a reminder of the bravery and technical competence of CFD's Special Operations teams. Despite facing challenging environments such as confined spaces and low visibility, they remain committed to serving their community and putting themselves in harm's way when necessary. The Columbia Fire Department continues to strive for excellence in providing emergency services to its citizens, and Chief Schaeffer could not be more proud of his team's efforts.

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