Man-Tracking
For Search and Rescue

November 8, 2008
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Kingfield Fire Station
Cost: free
Sponsor: Franklin Search & Rescue
Instructor: Coby Leighton

How do you find and follow the trail of a lost or missing person in the woods?

This awareness level ‘man tracking’ training is based on the techniques taught at the ‘Tom Brown Jr. Tracker School’. Participants will begin with classroom discussion covering tracking basics such as: major pressure releases, tracking teams, tracking sticks, track packs, sign-cutting and compression tracking. The class will then move outside for a few hours where we will practice new skills and follow some real tracks in a lost-person scenario.

All levels of experience are welcome to participate in this training.


RSVP: mitman@hughes.net

Bigelow Mountain Rescue 10-11-08

Just before 3 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2008, a cell phone call was received by Franklin Dispatch for an injured 17 year old male who had a possible fractured ankle on Bigelow Mountain. Carabassett FD, Eustis FD, New Portland FD and Franklin SAR all responded for a total of about 30 people. Initially, the first medical team made contact with the patient on the Fire Warden's trail and provided primary care. When carry-out support arrived, the patient was carried in a litter approximately 2 miles to a waiting ambulance at the trail head on the Stratton Brook Pond Road. The operation on the hiking trail was steep at times and ropes were used to safely belay the patient in the litter. When the group arrived at the trail head, Carabasset FD's 8WD 'Argo' was used to transport the patient for the last 1/4 mile to the ambulance. Team members were delighted to discover that New Portland FD and Kingfield FD auxiliaries had arrived with hot meals and drinks to nourish the rescuers. Incident commander Pete B. (Northstar) was amazed that this many volunteers were able to respond in the middle of a holiday weekend. He wanted to thank all who helped make this a successful rescue.

Incident Commander Pete B. (Northstar)

Bob shuttles Becky to the trail head in CVFD's 8WD Argo

Some of the FSAR members who responded.

NorthStar's Smalls Falls Training Sept. 21 2008

Instructor D.K. gives a safety briefing before a day of multi-level rope rescue training at Small Falls in Madrid, Maine. Participants included NorthStar members, local fire departments and Franklin SAR.

Students rig a litter and ropes for a mechanical advantage raise.





Many rescue agencies in this part of Maine open their training up to other groups whenever possible because cross-training makes us more familiar with each other, creates a common knowledge base and is much more fun!

Some of FSAR's members at a rescue training this past spring in Carabassett Valley, Maine.