It is well known in the fire service that firefighter safety has the highest priority. In an effort to better protect our firefighters at Big Tree, all interior firefighters recently were issued personal escape ropes. On October 11, 2001, our firefighters went to the Erie County Fire Training Academy to practice with the new escape ropes. Evolutions included bailing out of second story windows and sliding down the new personal escape ropes. A variety of escape techniques were taught. Although not frequently used, these ropes will aid firefighters in escaping from upper floors of a building should entrapment from fire arise.