'Rescue' Mission Mounted To Free Firefighter From Washer in Safety Warning

Maryland firefighters have shared a safety warning after a crew member was freed from a washing machine during a rescue drill.

Firefighter Trey Corbin found himself inside the washer during rescue training at the City of Cumberland Fire Department headquarters on Saturday.

In a photo shared on the fire department's Facebook page, Corbin is seen emerging from the front-loading washer while grinning at the camera. The caption states that he "was 'volunteered'" for the task.

Fire Captain Vince Pyle, from the Cumberland department, has now explained the background to the photo. He told Newsweek the crew had been told to gain access to the washing machine as part of a rescue drill.

Pyle said: "Captain GT Parsons set the parameters for the drill, which included small tool familiarity and utilization in a confined-space rescue scenario. The scenario positioned our fire engine beside the washer.

"The crew was directed to crawl under the engine, making access to the washing machine. They could utilize any of the rescue tools at their disposal to gain access to the interior of the washer and create an access point for victim removal. Grinders, spreaders, a Sawzall [reciprocating saw], Halligan bars [forcible entry tools], were utilized to achieve the goal of a suitable access point for rescue.

"The photo depicted Firefighter/EMT Trey Corbin at the egress point upon completion of the drill."

Pyle pointed out that children and elderly or infirm adults were at increased risk of injury from a household accident involving a washing machine.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least three children aged 5 and younger died in accidents related to washers between 2014 and 2019. Two of the incidents involved front-loading machines. The type of washer in the third case is not known.

There were about 3,000 washer-related injuries that needed emergency room treatment among children aged 5 and younger over the same period. Most of the incidents were related to falls.

Pyle said there were several steps householders could take to make washers and dryers more secure.

He told Newsweek: "Front-loading washers and dryers are a hazard to young children and elderly/ infirm adults. Several of the newer appliances have a child safety feature that activates cessation of the cycle with drainage of the water within 30 seconds of the door opening.

"Other basic safety rules include securing the laundry room, securing rear access to the appliances, installation of remote power switches, maintaining detergents in a safe location, and manual appliance door safety locks."