JFRD firefighter saves 27-year-old man’s life in heroic rescue

Jacksonville, FL. — Over the weekend, Jacksonville firefighters rescued a 27-year-old man from the St. Johns River after his car went off the overboard into the Dames Point Bridge.

The weather was less than ideal during the night of the rescue. It was cold, dark and rainy but still, JFRD Captain Phillip Orelli went over the side of the Dames Point Bridge on a two-line lowering system.

In just 23 minutes, they were able to save the 27-year-old man’s life.

“It’s our job. I don’t really consider it heroic,” Captain Orelli said. “It’s not something I’ve done in a live situation before but it’s something we train on consistently.”

On Saturday, Orelli pulled a 27-year-old man out of the water after his car went overboard on the Dames Point Bridge. Recent photos from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department show the incredible efforts from Orelli and his crew after the victim sustained a 35-foot fall.

“Trying to formulate a game plan, talking with the chief,” Orelli said. “He was on scene the same time that we were. So, we got together and looked at each other and knew what needed to get done.”

The man was kneeling on top of the car, and Orelli said the way he landed made it a little easier to get him. The two-line lowering system was what they had to work with – and it worked.

“Definitely some nervous energy,” Orelli said. “When we actually start the process, you just focus on the task at hand and what you need to do, and once you start focusing in, you start blocking out everything else.”

Orelli says other outcomes don’t cross his mind, but he understands how tough of a situation it was to be in.

“I have a family of my own. My wife, kid, mom and dad – the whole 9,” Orelli said. “It’s something that’s a scary situation for everyone involved.”

Captain Orelli has been with JFRD for 16 years.

While he risks his life every day, he says nothing would be possible without the help of his team.

“You see me on the end of the rope and I’m the one getting the interview and getting the picture taken, but there’s no way that rescue would’ve happened if it wasn’t for everybody that was on that scene,” he said.

Orelli said he can’t imagine doing anything else and knowing he can make a difference is what makes it all worth it.

Cox Media Group