Branford Fire Rescues 'Trespassing' Fence-Climber From 120-Foot Cliff

BRANFORD, CT — Locals and some visitors to Branford are likely familiar with the vertical fencing that secures a steep rock cliff directly behind the Chipotle and Starbucks at West Main and Commercial Parkway.

Tuesday night just after 9 p.m., Branford firefighters were dispatched to that spot for a person who was "stuck on the fence of the cliff behind Chipotle," according to Branford Fire Department Chief Thomas Mahoney.

The person who had tried to scale the fence was stuck some 10-feet from the top of the 120-foot cliff.

A Branford fire rescuer, employing recently learned Rope Rescue Technician training, was lowered down to the victim from the top of the cliff.

The rescue

But, because of the "terrain, chain link fence, rebar, and other difficulties, it was not possible to raise" the person, and "the total time of the operation was extended."

Ultimately, both the firefighter rescuer and the victim were lowered to a ledge and safely retrieved and brought to ground utilizing the ladder truck, Mahoney said.

There were no injuries to the victim or fire department personnel, Mahoney said.

Thankfully, the training first responders utilized to affect this rescue was funded by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant secured last year, Mahoney said.

"Thanks to the department’s recent training and all staff being available at the time of alarm, no mutual aid needed to be requested from other departments," a post on Facebook from the fire department reads.

Rescued Branford man was charged by police.

Patch obtained a copy of the Branford police report on this two-hour-long rescue effort by Branford firefighters.

According to the report, a 60-year-old man called police for help reporting that his "friend, Christopher Cusano, 53, was stuck on the fence on the steep rock ledge adjacent to the rear of Chipolte."

When police arrived, firefighters had already been on scene "exhausting numerous efforts to retrieve Cusano utilizing rock rescue techniques," the report reads.

The police report reads that Cusano said he and his friend were "hiking on the ledge and wanted to look over the edge. Cusano said that when he looked over the edge, he slid down the rock, making him unable to climb back up."

But, the report reads, "officers and Branford Firefighters also observed climbing gear and ropes which Cusano had used to get down the fence."

Cusano was issued infractions for trespassing and creating a public disturbance.

The report reads that "Cusano acknowledged the infraction by saying, 'guilty.'"

Cusano declined medical evaluation and didn't appear to sustain any injuries as a result of this incident.