Peabody Firefighters Make Way For Ducklings

PEABODY, MA -- What would you do if you saw a frantic duck next to a storm grate? For a group of Peabody Firefighters called to the scene Monday the answer was simple: save her 12 babies, who had all managed to fall into a storm grate.

Lt . David Limongiello, Firefighter John Spofford, who is a certified wildlife rescuer and rehabilitator, and Firefighter Derek McCrea from Peabody Fire Department's Division 2, Engine 5 pulled the ducks one-by-one from the grate and collected them in a plastic bin. A short time later, they were seen waddling off with mom.

"Every firefighter wants to make a 'grab' This afternoon... we made 12!!!" Limongiello posted on Facebook Monday evening. "Might not be quite as glorious.. but you can't tell momma duck that! 12 ducklings in the storm drain, one frantic mother duck, and a happy outcome, because my crew is pretty friggin awesome!!!"

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).