Duck Rescue

Photo by Marty PeltaDucklings in corner of storm drain

Photo by Marty PeltaChief Blair and Rescue members Hazekamp and Scopac at open drains trying to coax ducklings out.

Photo by Marty PeltaDucklings moved further into pipe under lawn of condo complex.

Photo by Marty PeltaFire co #3 arrived and utilized their booster line to flush the ducklings out

Photo by Marty PeltaRescue member has ducklings in net after they were retrieved in net.

Photo by Marty PeltaCo #3 Firefighter Ed Baldofsky JR, holding the happy rescue victims and preparing to release them into the woods
On Saturday, June 27, and alert postal carrier observed a mother duck and her 5 small ducklings walking along his route thru the Blue Ridge Manor Condo Complex. As they were walking near the curb line, he observed 2 of the ducklings fall into a storm drain and notified police. Fair Lawn PD, dispatched Fair Lawn Rescue Squad under the command of Chief John Blair, to assist in removing the ducklings from the storm drain. As they removed the grates from the drain, the ducklings went further into one of the drain pipes which went under the lawn of the condo complex. At first they attempted to force them to one end of the pipe with a high force blower, with negative results. Finally after approximately one hour Fire Co #3 was dispatched to the scene to assist. With the use of their booster line, they were able to produce enough water pressure to move the ducklings to the end of the pipe where they were able to be removed safely with the use of a net. Units were back in service in approximately 1 1/2 hours. No one was injured and the ducklings were happily removed and set free in a nearby wooded area.