Earlier today Company 62 was dispatched to a very unique situation in which the caller was requesting assistance to retrieve a herd of 150 sheep that were in the pasture next to the Conestoga River and as the water levels came up and exceeded flood levels from the heavy rains over night the sheep became trapped on a high point of the pasture with swift water all around them. Chief 62, E62-1, Squad 62-1, and Squad 62-2 arrived and realized that the water levels were quickly rising and that the sheep were in immediate danger of being swept downstream and therefore Chief 62 requested boats out of stations 47 and 39. Just as the first boat was arriving the sheep were swept off of their perch and quickly became caught in the flood waters. A majority of the sheep were guided by the pasture fence into shallower water and were able to make their way out of the water but several were entangled in the fence or swept downstream. The boats quickly launched and were able to retrieve several of the sheep that had not been able to make their way out on their own but unfortunately not all of the sheep were recovered. During the operations one of the boats became entangled in a fence and the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) boat had to be deployed and an additional boat was respirated but fortunately there were no injuries to any of the rescuers and after everyone was on land the additional boat was recalled. Thanks to Paradise Fire Department and Garden Spot Fire Rescue (GSFR39) for their assistance.
