St. George firefighter honored for rescuing worker during scaffolding collapse

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – A St. George firefighter was honored after saving a construction worker during a scaffolding collapse.

In May 2022, a St. George Fire Department crew was covering a fire station so members of the Lafayette Fire Department could mourn the loss of a fellow firefighter. At the same time, a construction crew was installing windows at Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital when the scaffolding collapsed.

The collapse left one worker suspended on a safety line and the St. George firefighters covering for the Lafayette crew responded to the scene.

The fire department said it was the perfect team to respond because Lieutenant Cody Gateley and Captain James Neyland are in its Special Operations Division and are trained in rope and high-angle rescue.

During the rescue, Gateley put on his harness and made his way up to the worker. He brought them to safety with the help of Neyland on the ground, according to the fire department. Captain Chris Brown and Lieutenant Pat Gonzales were on the ground to give the worker medical attention.

The firefighters were awarded a unit commendation and Gately received a meritorious medal for his actions, the fire department said.