Small Falls Training by Pat Cyr

On Saturday, October 22nd, approximately 15 attended an exhilarating rope training at Smalls Falls on the Sandy River, south of Rangeley, Maine.
Represented were members of Northstar EMS, Franklin Search and Rescue, Mercer CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), as well as Rangeley Fire and Rescue.
The training was organized by Al Sleight and Dennis Kerrigan.
Paul Marcolini and Dennis shared their expertise and guided us in setting up and executing a Kootenay highline over the back falls gorge.

Smalls Falls is a popular spot for visitors and has been the scene of numerous accidents and body retrievals. The highline, when set up and executed correctly, offers the rescuers the ability to traverse over the gorge and drop down to retrieve the subject(s). The highline extended approximatly 100' across the gorge. Special thanks to Gabe and Tiger for volunteering as the "dope on the rope".
High angle ropes training has been held nearly every spring and fall yearly. The training is 'first class' with professionals like Paul and Dennis. All FSAR members should make it a point to attend the next one.

Pat