On Thursday evening, QFD Volunteers were dispatched to 16 Salem Road in Colerain Township for a public service.  Being in a rural area, this can be anything from a tree down to a cat in a tree.  This time, like several other times in the past year or two, it was for a cow in a manure pit.  The 500+ pound heifer fell into the enclosed pit after a hatch was left open where the farmer was pumping the pit out.  It was now up to us to formulate a plan to get this cow out of the poo.

Chief 5-7-2 (Mike Ross) called for the Bart Twp. FC (5-1) for their sling and straps that they use for just this type of rescue.  They have been doing this for years, so we called on the pros.  Chief 2 also called for the Colerain Township Road Crew loader to assist in pulling off this "technicow" rescue.

Once units arrived on the scene, lighting was established, and access was made to the bottom of the pit.  Some "volunteers" were suited up in tyvek suits and SCBA and prepared to enter and get the cow.  This consisted of two firefighters, one being FF Bill "I lived in Delaware County, I saw cows in the zoo" Platt.  Luckily, after monitoring the atmosphere, it was deemed that the air was of good quality, so the farmer and friends could go and wrangle the cow into a rescue position.  Once this was accomplished, said cow was removed from the pit and tended to by the caring and compassionate fire company members. 

The company was in service for over one hour, plus an additional hour cleaning the poo off of the equipment.  Thanks to Bart Twp. FC and Colerain Township for the assist.