Columbia firefighters prepare safety measures for Truman the Tiger’s high-flying entrance

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As SEC basketball season gets underway, the Columbia Fire Department is preparing for a game day tradition that requires careful planning and specialized safety training.

The training comes as national safety concerns grow following the death of a U.S. Air Force member who fell during a rappelling demonstration at a University of Texas at San Antonio football game in October.

Before Mizzou basketball games, firefighters help lower Truman the Tiger from the rafters of Mizzou Arena for his entrance in front of thousands of fans.

According to Columbia Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Adams, the entrance involves working about 110 ft above the ground.

Before each basketball season, Columbia firefighters practice the lowering procedure to make sure equipment is working properly and every crew member understands their responsibilities.

"We have to go through and make sure that we have all our safety checks on all the equipment ready to go and we usually do that multiple times before the actual event takes place," Adams said.

The department inventories and inspects its equipment after each use, along with a full inspection once a year.

Adams said one of the biggest safety priorities is making sure every check is completed and double-checked before Truman goes over the edge.

The department's training tower stands about 45 ft tall. During a demonstration Sunday, firefighters practiced lowering a person from approximately 35 ft.

Adams said the safety procedures used during Truman's game day entrance are the same ones crews follow during real world technical rescues.

"We have all the safety precautions in place as we normally would if we're going to be going out to the woods, or out to outside terrain, or any type of technical rescue that we may do," Adams said.

Last year, Columbia firefighters responded to a rescue at Capen Park after a climber fell from an elevated area. Crews used ropes to reach the woman, bring her to safety and get her away from the cliffside.

"It's a little different situation where that's out in the wilderness where have to carry equipment depending on temperature, bugs, everything else," Adams said.

At Mizzou Arena, firefighters stated they operate in a more controlled environment.

"There's still the stress there because obviously we're in front of potentially 10 to 15 thousand or more fans that are there, plus national TV," Adams said.

The lowering process typically involves about eight firefighters, each with a specific responsibility. One crew member monitors the person's position near the edge, another controls the speed of the descent, and others manage the ropes.

Firefighters also have contingency plans and equipment ready in case an emergency happens while Truman is suspended above the arena floor.

Adams said the team controls the descent from above rather than having Truman rappel down on his own, allowing firefighters to respond if something goes wrong.

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