Rescue from Portland aerial tram was merely training

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Since the Portland Aerial Tram at OHSU opened in 2007, there has never been a need for a rescue from more than 100 feet up. But that doesn't stop emergency crews from training for just such an event.

On Sunday, Portland Fire & Rescue held a mock rescue from the tram, as "passengers" -- actually employees of Portland Tramway -- were fastened to a rope and lowered from the tram car to the ground.

Ray Gardner, the general manager of Portland Tramway, told KOIN 6 News "it's a good experience" for all their new employees to be "rescued" in this exercise.

"We've never needed to use it, but we're trained and ready in case we ever do," Gardner said.

PF&R Lt. Rick Graves said they do this simulated rope rescue operation once every year in cooperation with PBOT and Portland Tramway's parent company, Doppelmayr USA.

"Practice makes you better. This is a wonderful opportunity. We hope we never have to perform this in a real, actual scenario. We're ready to. This just allows everybody to be trained up," Graves said.

The PF&R rescue teams came from different stations throughout the city.