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Hamilton EMS staff (Left to Right): Michael Balencia, Captain Eric Testerman, Captain Chyanne Brake, Lt. Taylor Cavander, Colton Collins, Hannah Desmond, Dustin Terrell, Heather Rothe, and Captain Michael Pruitt. (All photos provided by District Chief Alexander) -
Steps 1 and 2: Locate and treat the “victim.” Success! -
Step 3 - Transport the “victim” to awaiting medical vehicle or helicopter. Using a basket stretcher, First Responders learned the difficulties in transporting an injured patient in wilderness terrain. Success again! -
Step 4 - Correctly position and attach basket stretcher via guide wires to hoisting cable of medical transport helicopter. First Responders in Search & Rescue training were successful again for the last step of the process. The overall day for those in training, the supervisory staff, and those who observed this event was a positive learning experience, and will be scheduled again next year.
With Colorado Bend State Park, Billy Gibbons’ Boys Scout Camp, and numerous and vast ranches providing the terrain for San Saba County, Hamilton EMS management personnel realized the need for First Responder staff training, specifically in search and rescue efforts. After several management level meetings and discussions, Wesley Alexander, District Chief - San Saba and Mills Counties, Hamilton EMS, met with Aaron Davidson, Superintendent - Colorado Bend State Park (CBSP), to plan and develop a specific mock search and rescue training event for First Responders with Hamilton EMS and Cherokee's First Responders, as well as First Responder staff based at Colorado Bend State Park. Chief Alexander stated Superintendent Davidson, who was previously an EMT, has a background in Search and Rescue.
In addition, staff with Travis County STAR Flight, a Texasbased aerial emergency medical service, collaborated with Hamilton EMS and CBSP management to provide EMS helicopter service during this training event. STAR Flight has the only fleet of medical helicopters in Texas with hoisting abilities.
In June of this year, the first Search and Rescue training event came to fruition. Those required to actively participate in the training, including Texas Parks & Wildlife staff, received initial classroom training that included First Aid (wilderness medical training) and wilderness search and rescue instruction. Classroom instruction also involved overviews of what to take for Search and Rescues, how to pack necessary gear and equipment, and "Do's and Don'ts."
Next, approximately 15-20 First Responders congregated at Colorado Bend State Park, supervisory staff laid out the scenario details and assigned certain active-role functions to training participants. The basic scenario was comprised of an “injured victim” on a trail in the park; however, the victim's location was unknown to First Responders in training. There were four objectives to this case scenario training event:
• Find the injured victim;
• Treat the injured victim;
• Transport the injured victim; and
• No sustained injuries or physical difficulties will be experienced by any of the participating/observing staff.
After a very hot and exhausting 7-hour training event, the training teams found the "injured victim," provided treatment, and used a basket stretcher to carry the victim to the waiting STAR Flight helicopter. Following this further, trainees were able to practice a helicopter hoist using the basket stretcher.
Consequently, the training event was a success! No one was hurt or comprised during training and the acting victim was located, treated, and transported - all goals were met! Everyone then gathered for a debriefing session.
District Chief Alexander related that all present on this day – trainees, observers, and supervisory staff - provided feedback during the debriefing. In other words, all attendees learned something of value regarding Search and Rescue situations. In fact, the training event was so positive that the decision was made to make it an annual requirement for all First Responders with Hamilton EMS. Thus, enabling Hamilton EMS – San Saba and Mills Counties to providing proficient Search and Rescues to everyone within its service areas, which includes areas of difficult terrains and access.