Comcast Tech Aids Bridge Collapse Victims Rick Kraft first on scene, rescues multiple victims... Tipped by Barovelli 
Comcast's technicians (though usually subcontractors) have been consistently in the news for falling asleep, murder, digging in the wrong yard or blowing up laptops, dishwashers or homes. Several techs, eager to see some contrasting stories, sent in word that 10-year Comcast technician Rick Kraft was one of the first to call 911 after last week's bridge collapse in Minneapolis. From an e-mail sent to us by one technician: "[Rick] jumped out of his Comcast van and saw construction workers running away from the bridge area. As Rick looked for a way to get closer to the scene he jumped down on the embankment. . . . He then saw a red car nearly submerged and its driver was calling for help standing up through the driver’s side window, but unable to get out of his seatbelt. Once they were able to cut the seat belt, Rick carefully pulled Garrett from the car and gently guided him through the water to the shore. Rick stayed with Garrett and kept his head above water until paramedics were able to transport him. Rick went on to rescue three other people." Kraft grew up on the Mississippi River and, like most Comcast techs, is required to get CPR certification every few years. Back in 2005, two Comcast techs rescued a drowning ten-year-old from the bottom of a swimming pool in Des Moines.
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 | | Wheres the jokes.. Where are the people to say "Yea, but then Comcast capped him, told him he could only help so many people. But they wouldn't tell him how many."
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Fighting on the Internet is like winning the Special Olympics. Win or lose, your still Retarted! | |
|  | | | Re: Wheres the jokes.. LOL. He was probably lost trying to find someones cable. | |
| | |  HFB1217The WizardPremium,ExMod 2000-01
join:2000-06-26
Camelot
kudos:2 | Re: Wheres the jokes.. said by Corehhi:LOL. He was probably lost trying to find someones cable. Where is the joke in saving and helping others, screw it that he works for Comcast. He as a person did something noble and that is all that matters.
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****aka The WIZARD **** A Founding member Seti BBR Team Starfire**** | |
| | | | Zerny
join:2007-05-04
Fort Gratiot, MI
1 edit | Re: Wheres the jokes..
so true | |
| | | | | | | Re: Wheres the jokes.. Comcast had NOTHING to do with saving these peoples' lives-The individual MAN took it upon himself to put himself in harm's way to help some one in need-the focus should be on the individual-not who he works for. | |
| | | | | |  MadMANNPremium
join:2005-08-19
kudos:2
1 edit | Re: Wheres the jokes.. said by bamabrad:Comcast had NOTHING to do with saving these peoples' lives-The individual MAN took it upon himself to put himself in harm's way to help some one in need-the focus should be on the individual-not who he works for. I agree. Just as the individual MAN murdered those people. Just as the individual MAN fell asleep on the couch.
Funny, when something bad happens, it's "Comcast blew up a house." When something good happens, it's "A guy who just happens to work for Comcast saved somebody's life."
On that note, thanks for the story, and Kudos to Rick the Cable guy!  | |
| | | | | | | Reviews:
 ·Bright House
| Re: Wheres the jokes.. said by MadMANN:said by bamabrad:Comcast had NOTHING to do with saving these peoples' lives-The individual MAN took it upon himself to put himself in harm's way to help some one in need-the focus should be on the individual-not who he works for. I agree. Just as the individual MAN murdered those people. Just as the individual MAN fell asleep on the couch. Funny, when something bad happens, it's "Comcast blew up a house." When something good happens, it's "A guy who just happens to work for Comcast saved somebody's life." On that note, thanks for the story, and Kudos to Rick the Cable guy! You see, I understand "the man" decided to do this on his own, but there is a certain quality in a person that Comcast DOES usually look for with inhouse employees. All those other situations, as the article points out, with the murderer, sleeping tech, etc, were SUBCONTRACTORS. I have been with Comcast for 5 years, and I have heard of one of our techs saving peoples lives and helping people in distress at least 10 to 12 times within that 5 year period. All were inhouse tech's. I also know CPR is required by most because of the fact that the field techs often work around high voltage, and need to be able to perform CPR if a tech is zapped by electricity, or if a bad situation happens like this bridge collapsing. If you haven't already noticed, lots of Comcast employee's get offended by bad stories because we often take much pride in our job, and employer. You can flame back all you want about "why is my cable tiling" or "my internet still goes down", WHATEVER, The point I am making is that most employee's for the company pride their job, and their co-workers and communities. The contractors usually don't give a damn. I witness this daily with contractors, but the reality is this, it's impossible to accurately predict how much workload the inhouse techs can handle. Most of the "subcontractors" do more than install cable, they install home theater systems, satellite services, private community cable networks (like apartments, hotels with their own headend equipment, perform cable locating services, install home networks, office networks, housing development installs like e-homes, etc...), they don't SPECIFICALLY install or repair Comcast only. Comcast is just a "contract" they have for extra revenue. So naturally they don't care about the quality of their work as much as a company employee would. Sorry if Comcast, and other cable providers who contract, aren't perfect, and can't always handle their own work load. Believe me, the last thing a company employee wants to deal with is a situation where a dumbass contractor didn't install service correctly, or lied about showing up for a job when they really didn't. It's just sad that people dwell on negative issues because they follow this websites reports of negative situations and issues. Thankfully, I have noticed this site recently has posted a boat load of screw ups from the other companies that exist out there doing the same kind of services Comcast does. I guess enough people said they were sick and tired of hearing all about Comcast, and sick and tired of the news on this site being biased towards the provider. After all, who is the largest cable provider around right now? Comcast. And who has the most VoIP customers now? Comcast. Many might scream "monopoly" but fail to realize that other companies offer VoIP and home phone service in THE SAME MARKETS, like AT&T, Vonage, Verizon, Packet 8, Time Warner, Cablevision, Knology, Charter. In many cases, Comcast is in direct competition with one of these mentioned companies, and still manages to come out on top. And their VoIP service has been out for only 2 1/2 to 3 years. How long has Vonage been doing it? Well, 2001 is the copyright notice listed on the bottom of their website. So if Comcast is blowing them away, and Vonage has had twice the amount of time to build a customer base, then someone is doing something right, thats for damn sure. And you can't say it's because of the triple play offer, because Comcast's VoIP subscriber numbers have been skyrocketing since day one of the service being launched. Some markets are JUST NOW GETTING the service. I have seen Vonage commercials for the last 4 years, almost back to back, and they still can't top Comcast. And Vonage lets you choose your area code, have numbers outside your calling area, such as Canadian phone numbers while residing in the USA, and Comcast doesn't. So if Vonage serves, Canada AND the US, and Comcast doesn't, and Vonage services EVERY area code in the USA, and Comcast doesn't, but they STILL have more customers, then that should tell you that people ARE happy with the level of service they are getting. And Comcast costs anywhere between $10 to $18 more a month than Vonage. Consumers aren't stupid, they just know that the service is cheaper than a land line, and more reliable than Vonage, not to mention they have technicians who actually come to your house and install the service. They also take less time to port your existing number than Vonage, and don't outsource their support to India, or anywhere else where English is not the native tounge. Comcast also has less hold time in most cases to speak with an actual rep than Vonage. The equipment can be replaced and installed by Comcast. Comcast also wires your phone jacks in your house to work for all the phone outlets too. And their equipment has a built in battery for power outages too. Comcasts service is more reliable for transmitting faxes, its more reliable for customers with home security systems reporting to their command center. The list goes on. You get what you pay for. They are making people happy to switch services. So before anyone decides to waste my time by trying to reply with a flaming message, save your breath. The numbers speak for themselves. Comcast is whuppin ass in this department, and all you haters can just keep hating while people all over are praising their reliable phone service. Sorry for the folks who are having, or have had bad experiences with your TV, or Internet, or even phone service with Comcast. I DO care that your experience wasn't good, but honestly, with the percentage of people I deal with on a daily basis who DO have issue, very few have problems I can't fix, so I'd say they are going damn good.
SUPER KUDOS TO RICK FOR A HEROIC JOB WELL DONE. THANKS FOR BEING A LIFE SAVER, AND HELPING MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
To see whatelse Comcast does for you that you might not have known about, check out »www.comcast.net/neighborhood. You will see the programs for education, habitat for humanity, cancer foundation donations, helping the homeless, and many other programs, including massive donations to United Way also. So again, before you try to flame this message, just know that I am posting it to show that a company as large as Comcast DOES care about it's people in the community they serve, and they DO support things you'd never imagine they even cared about in the first place, and the qualities they look for when they hire people often result in the hiring of folks like Rick, who will go above and beyond their requirements to help in crisis situations. Perhaps someone else can chime in about a Verizon tech, or AT&T tech, or any other company who has had a positive situation that got national press news like this guy.
Have a good day all.
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SIPPhone/Gizmo # 17476200648 / PIMPNET Chatline / Ran by Asterisk & Slackware 10.1. | |
| | | | | | | | | | Re: Wheres the jokes.. Holy crap anyone read that? | |
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| | | | you guys have no idea how stupid you all sound!!
This was an absolutely tragic event, and the fact that he didn't think twice before he jumped in, without thinking of himself, and saved precious lifes. Does every thing really have to be a joke?
You should all be ashamed of yourself!!!! Sick!!! | |
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| | | said by LeftOfSanity:Where are the people to say "Yea, but then Comcast capped him, told him he could only help so many people. But they wouldn't tell him how many." Rofl | |
| | | HFB1217The WizardPremium,ExMod 2000-01
join:2000-06-26
Camelot
kudos:2 | Re: Wheres the jokes.. How funny would of been if it was someone you cared about that he saved, let alone if someone did not save and left you mourning. Then where is the joke??
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****aka The WIZARD **** A Founding member Seti BBR Team Starfire**** | |
| | | | | | Re: Wheres the jokes.. Calm down before you have a stroke. | |
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|  gilligunShipwreckedPremium
join:2002-11-22
Denver, CO | lol | |
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| |  JeffreyConnoisseur of leisurely thingsPremium
join:2002-12-24
Long Island
kudos:3 | Re: Thumbs up to Rick Kraft Yep, big thumbs up. Good for him - nice to see someone with ability and the brain to help people in a crisis. | |
| | |  en102Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Re: Thumbs up to Rick Kraft I guess there's a new Comcast Rick  | |
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|  morboComplete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000 | so only white people give thumbs up. racist.  | |
| | | cacoPremium
join:2005-03-10
Whittier, AK | Re: Thumbs up to Rick Kraft said by morbo:so only white people give thumbs up. racist. Actually some of those thumbs belong to white hispanics and asians
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»www.seabee.navy.mil | |
| | | | morboComplete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000 | Re: Thumbs up to Rick Kraft what about white blacks? any of those in the pic? | |
| | | | | | said by caco:said by morbo:so only white people give thumbs up. racist. Actually some of those thumbs belong to white hispanics and asians Yea don't u see that yellow one on the right side? | |
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| | | | | | | | | |  sporkmedrop the crantini and move it, sisterPremium,MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ | Re: Thumbs up to Rick Kraft WTF? | |
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1 edit | the picture is actually taken from a negative. They're all black. See how they all look the same??
From da black guy... | |
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| | | | Re: Thumbs up to Rick Kraft blame the media for being all white all right | |
| | |  N3OGHYo Soy Col. "Bat" GuanoPremium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
kudos:1 | I take umbrage with your righteous indignation... | |
| | |  chadrob30HowdyPremium
join:2002-04-24
Fort Smith, AR | said by morbo:so only white people give thumbs up. racist. | |
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|  AmeritecTechChange we can believe in, 1922Premium
join:2002-09-06
Houston, TX
kudos:6 | HE'S COMCASTIC! n/t | |
| |  cabanaDepartment of AdjustmentsAssistant
join:2000-07-07
New York, NY
56k Lookout! (broa..
| Re: HE'S COMCASTIC! YES... there are still human beans in the world
My personal opinion -- there are alot of everyday heros that will jump in and do the right thing. But they do not make the news ... as often ... as those that do the awful things. | |
| | | | | Re: HE'S COMCASTIC! said by cabana:YES... there are still human beans in the world My personal opinion -- there are alot of everyday heros that will jump in and do the right thing. But they do not make the news ... as often ... as those that do the awful things. I thought all the Human Beans went extinct when they discovered rice?
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Fighting on the Internet is like winning the Special Olympics. Win or lose, your still Retarted! | |
| | | |  MaxoYour tax dollars at work.Premium,VIP
join:2002-11-04
Tallahassee, FL | Re: HE'S COMCASTIC! said by LeftOfSanity:I thought all the Human Beans went extinct when they discovered rice? The human rice just never caught on. | |
| | | | | | | Re: HE'S COMCASTIC! ROFLMAO!!!! Hilarious! | |
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|  raydog1Feel SecurePremium
join:2003-07-10
La Vergne, TN | He DESERVES a nap, a laptop, a diswasher, you name it. Whatta guy! | |
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 NY TelPremium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
kudos:3
 ·AT&T CallVantage
1 edit | Hats off to Rick That is just wonderful what he did and proves there are still a lot of good, responsible people in the world who care.
Atta Boy, Rick!
(PS Rick - If you are reading this, I think it is time to ask for a raise.... ) | |
| | |  Great Job Rick !!
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| lesopp
join:2001-06-27
Land O Lakes, FL | A True Hero Comcast had better give this gentleman proper recognition.
Thank you Rick Kraft, this country needs more like you. | |
| | | Go Rick! Thanks, Rick. God bless. | |
| jamesvPremium
join:2003-03-08
Austin, TX | Get Back To Work! Will Comcast fire him for neglecting his work responsibilities? | |
| | | | Re: Get Back To Work! i bet he does not get paid for his time he spent in the water | |
| | | NY TelPremium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
kudos:3 Reviews:
·AT&T CallVantage
| Re: Get Back To Work! said by itsmethee:i bet he does not get paid for his time he spent in the water He won't because that is considered a "sunk" cost.
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If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon. | |
| | | El GaupoPremium
join:2006-07-15
Buckhorn, NM |
He was there 2hours so that means ke lost $20.00 in pay | |
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 Michieru2zzz zzz zzzPremium
join:2005-01-28
Miami, FL | A man He is doing what he know is the right thing to do, I applaud him for that.
Unlike others who will just stand there looking without doing a damn thing, or worry about "destroying evidence".
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Duct tape, saving lives since 1942. | |
|  ARPremium,ExMod 2001-04
join:2000-09-21
Toronto, ON | People that make the company It's folks like Rick who make Comcast what it is.
But unfortunately, they are lost in the calculations of business strategy, quarterly profits and "convergence". | |
| | | Me, rather would die then be saved by comcast | |
| | | | | | | Re: Me, rather would  | |
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 Uhawl-- watching --Premium
join:2000-10-21
Asylum | Huh? quote:
Once they were able to cut the seat belt, Rick carefully pulled Garrett from the car and gently guided him through the water to the shore. Rick stayed with Garrett and kept his head above water until paramedics were able to transport him.
What? He helped the guy to shore and continued to hold his head above water when on dry land? Either we're missing something from the story or someone's facts aren't 100%. Anyway, way to go Rick! | |
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See 9 replies to this post | |
 RickPremium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT | From one Comcast Rick to another...
Two thumbs up for a job WELL DONE!
In addition to working for a great ISP...you're a real hero and managed to save someones life in the process.
There is no bigger honor than that IMHO.
~Comcast (Customer) Rick
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The Coyote captured the RR! Roadrunner Rick is now Comcastic! | |
|  treemanPremium
join:2000-07-15
Mcgaheysville, VA | Great job Well at least he helped while the construction workers were hauling ass the other direction | |
|  codeePremium
join:2001-10-01
Minneapolis, MN | Thumbs up to Rick! I work with Rick from time to time, he is a great guy and a great tech. He used to work maintenance for Timewarner before this area got traded to Comcast, and now he's a service tech on the customer side. I was talking to dispatch around 615 that night, and Dawn from dispatch asked if I had heard the news yet, then told me to turn on a news channel. She also told me that Rick was helping rescue people at the bridge collapse. He talked to me the next day about it, and he didn't even hesitate for a second or think twice about helping the people down there, thats the type of person he is. Out of all the people I know, he is one of the few who I would bet me life on that he would help out in a situation like that without any hesitation.
It's tech like Rick that really help to shape the public and customers opinions of a company, and he does a stellar job on a daily basis. | |
| | | | Re: Thumbs up to Rick! Give Rick a big pat on the back from me! Hes a true hero. | |
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 DrModemPremium
join:2006-10-19
USA
kudos:1 | Heh Maybe he hit a huge gas line and caused the bridge to blow up. lol.
(ok joking)
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He did nice. | |
|  lauraDomestic BlissPremium
join:2002-04-16
San Jose, CA | LOL The whole first sentence of this article cracked me up. | |
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 jamez818please hold during the silence
join:2000-09-18
Sunland, CA | Why can't a Verizon or AT&T tech do that too
For all the whiners that say nothing good gets posted in this forums about the cable co and that this site is biased.
Hope Rick Kraft reads this. Thank you for being so brave!!!
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just whiners and complainers... | |
| | | Thank you, Rick. Well done, Rick. Well done. | |
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