New tool for search and rescue

Pine Haven Volunteer Fire Chief TJ Gideon discussed an addition to the town's rescue vehicles at Friday's council workshop.

The department received an anonymous donation of $20,000 after the tragic accident a year ago that felled the community. These funds came with a codicil: "They said their only wish is they want this money to be used for something that will keep us safe and for rescue type stuff," the chief told those present.

He explained that, in the winter, the volunteer fire fighters and EMTs, "are called to the lake where we have to make the decision, do we walk out on that ice or not and right now, the only capabilities we have is to walk. We will walk out there and sometimes it's a long way".

The first responders are stymied when they cannot reach the victim because they do not have the needed tools.

In light of these factors, Gideon recently created a committee specifically to examine the department's needs and a possible vehicle afforded by the $20,000. They found an ARGO.

This amphibious extreme terrain vehicle, the chief assured his audience, will help in rescues that are currently beyond the department's ability.

"I think we owe the general public; we've got to be able to respond to some of these calls instead of just waiting," he said. "What this vehicle will do for the department is, on a call that we have to walk onto the ice, if we were to fall through, it floats. It's designed to float, you will not get in the water."

Last year, the department, with the aid of a grant, was able to purchase amphibious Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in preparation of a possible find like this.

The chief is somewhat familiar with the capabilities of this machine as the Crook County Sheriff's Department has two; theirs, though, are not housed at the Keyhole area.

Mayor Karla Brandenburg noted that the reservoir is not in Pine Haven's purview, but the county's, "So why would they not house one of theirs here?" Gideon replied that the agency has many other waters within the county at which sites the vehicles are currently stored.

The training for this type of rescue work, with this type of equipment, is more intense and extensive, the chief acknowledged.

"We've worked on it, the commitment; this isn't something you just buy and start rescuing people. There's going to be a big training commitment which several members of the department have committed to. We'll work hand in hand with Crook County Search and Rescue – Sheriff Jeff Hodge and Undersheriff Alex Jessen on this. They will provide training. We been in contact with them getting an ice rescue training day set up."

Gideon admitted that there will be certain situations that they will not be able to conduct rescue procedures on their own, "Every situation's different, there're some that are above our heads. We're not going to be in the rescue business every day, but most of Pine Haven citizens use that lake and I think we are benefitting our residents as well."

He has discussed the training with the sheriff, Keyhole State Park Supervisor Greg Devereaux, who plans to join the class with Pine Haven's department.

"What we're doing is building a team right here with the park, Crook County and our own department," Gideon said. "We're not going to be helpless that first hour."

The mayor expressed her continued concern over safety and Gideon responded, "Before we start using it for any type of rescue type of situation or anything, we will develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and consult with Crook County and see what their procedures are and make sure everybody's fully trained before they get on it. We don't want to put ourselves in more danger or get over our heads. Per department guidelines, nobody will be in this vehicle unless they go through a certain amount of training."

Tom Roberts, who set in on this workshop before his appointment to the open council seat resigned by former resident Dan Blakeman, added that the ARGO "is not just for water, but also, during the summer wild fires, if they get into a situation where it's remote and they can hardly get to they can take more oxygen, fire fighting equipment, there are a lot of other uses besides just doing water so it's more like a year around tool".

The specific machine the committee has found is 18 years old and has spent all of that time, except for a couple short trips to a property outside of Gillette, in storage; and the cost is $14,000.

"We will also need to purchase an enclosed trailer that we will store the equipment in plus our PPE," Gideon explained.

Brandenburg asked, "I know your protocol if you're there, but what is your protocol if you're not there? Who takes charge of those people?"

"We have a chain of command," Gideon assured her, "In my absence, we have three highly qualified chiefs and if they're not there, we have two battalion chiefs who are also highly qualified and if they're not there, we have three captains who are trained and then we have the firefighters, so we have a chain of command that is followed to the tee... They will not do it unless they're authorized."

The mayor relaxed with this response: "I think this is a great idea and it's definitely something we need to do, I just want to make sure that the whole department understands that stuff can happen even with this... and if they're not trained, they may not be safe."

Though the date has not yet been set, residents of Pine Haven are encouraged to join the first responders and council in an upcoming event to show the ARGO and discuss what it can do for the volunteers as well as an opportunity for everyone to enjoy an informal class, teaching everyone their options and best practices to help in community situations.