JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — A firefighter with West Metro Fire Rescue fell 50 feet in rocky terrain during a training exercise near Morrison on Wednesday and is now in critical condition, the department said.
On Wednesday morning, West Metro Fire firefighters were training for high-angle rescues in steep and rocky terrain near Morrison.
Around 11 a.m., Jarrod Leonard — who is a firefighter and paramedic, as well as one of the department's technical rescue instructors — fell about 50 feet.
▶️ Denver7's Adria Iraheta hears from those who witnessed the emergency response
He was transported to a local hospital and remains in critical condition as of 2:45 p.m., the department said.
Leonard has been with West Metro Fire for more than 23 years. He teaches firefighters in the "specialized skills needed to perform rescues in some of the most challenging environments," the department said.
High angle rescue is a specialized skill used in terrains with slopes of 60% or more — like cliffs or silos. Retired firefighter and MSU professor Mark Stephenson said the incident highlights the risks involved in that kind of training.
"The fire service learns from every incident. We share knowledge with one another, and one of the paramount things I think is despite all the safety training that takes place, the checklists, you know, et cetera, is we still can't control the external environment," Stephenson said. "I think it demonstrates that we still have a very high risk occupation, and despite all the safeguards and values that we bring to any training ground, that accidents will still occur."
Meanwhile, messages from the Colorado firefighting community continue to pour in, wishing Leonard a full and speedy recovery.
