Sandy Springs Fire Department Holiday Hospital Rappel Event

This morning, the Sandy Springs Fire Department (SSFD) hosted its annual event at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite Hospital. A team of SSFD-trained rope rescue technicians utilized the hospital as a training ground, gaining real-world experience to prepare for emergency situations. While there, they also spread holiday cheer by delivering gifts to patients and employees, with a little help from Santa Claus.

As the firefighters rappelled down the building, they paused on each level, outside the windows facing Meridian Mark Rd. near the main entrance, to wave to the children and their families inside. After the training, the SSFD team handed out presents and specially designed SSFD beanies to both patients and staff.

In addition to Santa, beloved characters like the Atlanta Braves' Blooper, Spider-Man and Superman made an appearance.

View photos from the event.

About Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

As the only freestanding pediatric healthcare system in Georgia, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is the trusted leader in caring for kids. The not-for-profit organization's mission is to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow through more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs, top healthcare professionals, and leading research and technology. Children's is one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country, managing more than one million patient visits annually at three hospitals (Arthur M. Blank, Hughes Spalding and Scottish Rite), Marcus Autism Center, the Center for Advanced Pediatrics, the Zalik Behavior and Mental Health Center, urgent care centers and neighborhood locations. Consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has impacted the lives of kids in Georgia, across the United States and around the world for more than 100 years thanks to generous support from the community.