On Monday, June 23rd, 2014 the Fire Company was contacted by some concerned citizens reporting that a group of ducklings had fallen into a storm drain in the parking lot of the Bottom Dollar store in Valley Township.

Battalion Chief Sly arrived to assess the situation and requested a response from Rescue 44 to assist with removing the storm grate.

Having dealt with aquatic bird rescues several times in the past, our team of experts began to formalize a plan to carefully remove the ducklings while cautiously ensuring that the mother duck did not become aggressive towards our personnel.

The drain containing the ducklings was opened as well as the adjoining drain on the system line to ensure the ducks did not travel through the drainage system.

A sheet was placed into the drain to allow the ducks to be hoisted without physically touching them, so as not to cause an issue for the mother.

After implementing the equipment and plan, the ducklings eventually gathered onto the sheet and were quickly lifted as a group out of the drain and placed in the adjoining lawn where they reunited with their relieved mother.

The drainage system was re-secured and all units cleared the scene.