WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Firefighter Rich Schaffer said he was thinking about having dinner. Looking out from the quarters of the D.C. Fire Boat, he saw a woman Monday night scaling the fence that protects those walking along the Washington Channel.
By the time the woman, believed to be in her 70s, had jumped into the water, Schaffer was already on the move. Video captured by a security camera operated by the D.C. Police Harbor Patrol shows Schaffer scaling a fence and running up to where the woman jumped in.
The video shows Schaffer throwing a vest and life ring into the water. He then jumps in. Schaffer said he was able to see the woman just below the surface.
Schaffer said with his help the woman coughed up water and started breathing again.
Firefighter Schaffer had to wait a few minutes for more help to arrive. The Police Harbor Patrol and the other firefighters assigned to the D.C. Fire Boat were out on a call to assist stranded boaters.
Police Harbor Patrol Lt. Paul Niepling pulled his boat alongside Schaffer and was able to help complete the rescue.
Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.
