On August 9, what started as routine storm duty for three utility workers turned into a life-saving rescue in Parma Heights, a Cleveland suburb. Sean Groom and Rob Cecil, electric meter installers from CEI (FirstEnergy/The Illuminating Company), along with CEI engineer Brian Green, pulled a 60-year-old man from his burning home just moments before it could have been too late.
The dramatic rescue began when Groom, an 18-year member of Local 270, was en route to a job checking for storm damage following a series of tornados. “When you’re on storm duty and smell smoke, it usually means there’s a downed line somewhere,” Groom explained. “But this time, I saw smoke coming from the roof of a house with a car in the driveway.”
As Groom approached the house to check if anyone was inside, he heard a desperate cry for help. Running to the back of the house and climbing over a fence, he found Ricky Price, the 60-year-old homeowner, hanging from a small, high window with smoke pouring out around him. Price, who had undergone both knee and hip replacements, was unable to pull himself through the narrow opening.
“His face was black from the smoke, and he was clearly struggling,” Groom recalled. The window was stuck, and despite his best efforts, Groom couldn’t pry it open from the outside. Fortunately, help arrived quickly. Green, also on storm duty, saw Groom’s car and stopped to assist. Moments later, Rob Cecil, Groom’s storm duty partner and a 17-year Local 270 member, arrived after spotting Groom’s vehicle.
According to Groom, even Green — “a 6’5” really big guy” — couldn’t budge the window. With smoke continuing to pour out and Price visibly weakening, the three decided to use their combined strength to pull Price through the partially open window. Cecil then grabbed a nearby wicker couch and positioned it under the window to provide a cushioned landing as they lowered Price to safety.
The rescue, which occurred within a critical five-minute window, came just in time. Price later shared that he had been trapped in his bedroom for what felt like half an hour as the fire spread from his kitchen. Groom recalled Price telling him, “I decided to try yelling for help one more time — and that’s when you heard me.”
The urgency didn’t end there. A neighborhood youth informed the rescuers that two dogs were still trapped inside. Thinking quickly, the boy used a baseball bat to break through a locked sliding glass door to save one of the dogs, while firefighters, who soon arrived on the scene, rescued the other.
None of the men had any formal rescue or firefighting training. “We relied on our gut instincts and adrenaline,” Groom said. They hadn’t even stopped to call 911, as a neighbor had already done so. After ensuring Price and his dogs were safe, the three simply returned to their storm duty assignments.
On September 23, they were honored at City Hall for their bravery, receiving certificates of Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. Representative Max Miller. Price attended the ceremony to personally thank his rescuers.
The incident highlights how utility workers, who routinely brave dangerous conditions to maintain our infrastructure, can find themselves called upon to go above and beyond their normal duties. Through quick thinking, teamwork, and courage, these three turned what could have been a tragedy into a story of heroism and hope.