Jeannette firefighters, attorney rescue 9 ducklings from storm drain

Jeannette fire Chief William Frye admits it is not often a department makes nine rescues in one day, but Monday city firefighters did just that.

“They were really small ducklings, but we were able to help reunite them with their mother,” Frye said of the 8:25 a.m. rescue along Chambers Avenue.

Frye said the rescue was set in motion by a Good Samaritan, attorney Robert Domenick, as he drove to work.

“He happened to be driving by and noticed the mother duck was pacing back and forth near a curb on Chambers Avenue near the bridge spanning Brush Creek. She was rapidly flying on and off the curb there,” Frye said.

“(Domenick) stopped to take a look to see why she appeared distressed. It’s right where Brush Creek and Bull Run come together,” Frye said.

Frye said Domenick looked in a nearby storm drain and saw small ducklings trapped inside. He contacted Westmoreland County dispatchers and the city fire department was sent to the scene.

The mother watched from across the street, perched high in a tree as her ducklings were pulled from the drain, said Frye, who was helped with the rescue by Lt. Shawn Fogle and firefighter Robert Carter.

“I’ve got to give Robert (Domenick) credit too because he dug in there with us suit and all,” Frye said.

All nine birds were placed in a nearby wooded area, although one wayward duck ventured back on to Chambers Avenue and had to be taken out of harm’s way a second time.

The mother duck joined her flock and the family made it back into the creek.

“It’s a story with a good ending,” Frye said.

The fire department posted photographs of the rescue on its Facebook page.