Mr. Fisher instinctively reached for his prized possessions: two 16-foot-long cloth jump ropes, each nearly a half-inch in diameter, and knotted at both ends. Then he raced out to the pond.

Fires 'Heroic' firefighters use rare rope drill to rescue 3 people from burning NYC building The incredible footage shows a courageous fireman dangling on the rope with a rescued resident in his arms ...