Chatham County Manager Russ Abolt recently got a bird’s eye perspective of Lake Mayer by tethering himself to a helicopter in a new rescue harness. Hanging like a pendulum, the 71-year-old Abolt soared over the park for about five minutes before being gently lowered back to ground.
The “public safety” demonstration took place on April 6 as part of the Take a Soldier Fishing Day - Wounded Warrior Bass Tournament, an annual National County Government Month event in Chatham.
It was not the first time Abolt has tested new county equipment. In 2010, he volunteered to be incapacitated by one of the Savannah-Chatham police department’s Tasers.
This month’s airborne voyage was a much more enjoyable experience, Abolt said.
After Abolt took flight, Chatham Emergency Management Agency Director Clayton Scott strapped on a different type of harness and took his own trip hovering around the lake.
The harnesses were purchased for emergency responders to use in water and fire rescue operations, Scott said.