Firefighters rescue stuck raccoon in Rostraver Township

They used the Jaws of Life to help free the animal from a storm drain grate.

The ”Jaws of Life” are designed to rescue people trapped in mangled vehicles. Monday morning in Rostraver Township, firefighters used the powerful hydraulic tool to save a much smaller victim, a young raccoon wedged inside a storm drain grate.

The unusual rescue unfolded around 9:47 a.m. on Matty Drive after a resident spotted the animal stuck in the grate and called for help.

Before first responders arrived, the resident tried to free the raccoon by wetting it down and even using a small amount of Dawn dish soap in hopes it would be able to slip back through the opening.

“They tried a few of those things, but nothing ultimately worked,” Rostraver Township Police Chief Scott Sokol said.

Police called in the Rostraver Township Fire Department and the township’s public works department to assist with the rescue.

Together, rescuers removed the storm grate with the raccoon still trapped inside before carefully using HURST Jaws of Life equipment, along with hand tools, to cut away just enough metal to free the animal.

“They were able to get the grate out with him inside, cut it away and eventually freed it,” Sokol said. “As soon as it was free, it took off running.”

Despite being trapped, the young raccoon remained surprisingly calm throughout the rescue.

“It wasn’t hissing or growling,” Sokol said. “Even while they were trying to wet it down, it stayed pretty calm.”

Sokol said it appeared the raccoon had climbed into the storm drain but became stuck while trying to climb back out.

“It came up at a certain angle and just couldn’t get itself free,” he said.

Had firefighters been unable to safely remove the animal, Sokol said the township would have contacted a wildlife expert.

Thanks to the teamwork of police, firefighters and public works employees, that wasn’t necessary.

“It was an odd call,” Sokol said. “Poor little fella. Nobody wanted to hurt it. We wanted a happy ending, and thanks to everyone working together, that’s exactly what we got.”

Injured baby bald eagle rescued

In North Charleroi, Lock #4 Volunteer Fire Company expressed gratitude to its fire chief, Fred Schwalb, an unidentified Good Samaritan and Pennsylvania wildlife officers for going above and beyond Sunday to rescue an injured baby bald eagle.

The department said the effort demonstrated that the commitment of first responders extends beyond protecting people to caring for the wildlife that shares the community.

Officials also thanked the unknown bystander who spotted the injured bird and alerted first responders, saying that without the person’s kindness and quick action, the rescue may not have happened.

The department said the incident serves as a reminder that making a difference is a community effort and wishes the young eagle a full and speedy recovery.