Press ReleasesThe Montpelier Fire Department successfully rescued a person from the Winooski River this morning after receiving reports of someone in the water near the Main Street Bridge.
Dispatched at 8:26 a.m., firefighters pulled the individual from the river at approximately 8:40 a.m., just past the Bailey Street Bridge. Montpelier Police also responded to support the cold-water rescue effort.
The patient, an adult male, was conscious but had been exposed to freezing water and had lost gross motor function, preventing his ability to self rescue. He did not respond to verbal commands and repeatedly moved away from rescuers, complicating the operation. Limited access points along the river forced units to reposition before safely reaching him.
After the rescue, Montpelier Fire Department personnel treated and transported the patient to Central Vermont Medical Center for evaluation and care.
Cold-water incidents are time-sensitive and labor-intensive operations that require multiple coordinated tasks. Although only three members were on duty when the call came in, the timing near shift change allowed additional personnel to respond quickly. Three off-duty Montpelier firefighters and Chief Derek Libby responded to the scene, along with an off-duty Barre City Fire Department firefighter who lives nearby.
“This outcome reflects exactly why staffing readiness matters,” said Chief Derek Libby. “When seconds count, having trained responders and the right equipment in place makes the difference, and today our members performed exactly as trained.”
The department recently expanded its cold-water rescue capabilities under Chief Libby’s leadership. Three members have completed specialized training, and during today’s incident, one trained member was on duty while two others responded and suited up to support the rescue.
Grant funding secured by department leadership made possible the specialized equipment used today, strengthening the department’s ability to respond safely to emergencies on local waterways. The incident underscores the importance of staffing readiness, specialized training, and specialized equipment in enabling responders to operate effectively under high-risk conditions.
