Left to right -
Tom Hamilton, CPP - Chapter Chairman,
Deputy Gerald Barnes
Charles Andrews, CFE

On December 8th 2009, Deputy Barnes was off duty, working an extra job at Greenway Plaza. At approximately 12:30 PM a high rise window stage that is used to clean and repair windows broke loose from one of the anchors that held it against 11 Greenway Plaza. On it were 3 glass replacement workers. The stage was ripped from the anchor by high winds that came up suddenly, catching the workers off guard. All they could do was hold on as the stage platform pin wheeled in the wind, twisting the cables that held the platform and sending it crashing into the building numerous times. This caused shards of glass to fall 10 stories to the ground.

Upon witnessing this, with no regard for his personal safety, Deputy Barnes ran across the open area between buildings to the anchor point directly below the stage and grabbed onto the rope. One other unidentified individual came to assist him and they successfully stopped the stage from continuing to spin. Had Deputy Barnes not have acted immediately, the 3 workers who were tied into safety lines could have been thrown from the platform and been crushed against the building by the pin wheeling stage. Additionally, Houston Fire Department Technical Rescue Team stated that if the workers were thrown from the stage and not rescued within 15 minutes severe and irreversible physical injuries would have occurred. The 3 workers were rescued by HFD with only minor injuries. Deputy Barnes is to be commended for his quick and unselfish actions.