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

Rope Rescue Training Sat. Oct. 22 Smalls Falls

Reminder:

D.K & Al will teach a 1 day Rope Rescue training at Smalls Falls next Saturday, October 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

They plan to setup a high-line over the back falls. This is a great opportunity for any FSAR member who has past rope rescue experience or is interested in learning more about rope rescue to get some hands-on training. 

Folks should bring rain gear, lunch, sturdy shoes, and a helmet and climbing harness if they have one. If you do not have any climbing gear, you are welcome to use team gear but you will need to make arrangements to get it before the class. 

Remember: “The half life of rope rescue knowledge is 6 months!”   –D.K.

 Training At Smalls Falls in 2005 with instructors Glenn Speight and Steve Hudson

FSAR Activated for search in Bangor

FSAR was activated by MASAR at 5:35 a.m. on Saturday 10-15-2011 to assist in the search for a 46 y.o. female in Bangor. She was last seen in the Bangor City Forest.

We had 3 members in route to Bangor around 7 a.m. when we received word that the search was terminated. The victim was found alive by a MESARD dog team. 

Story here:

http://bangordailynews.com/2011/10/15/news/bangor/amherst-woman-lost-all-night-in-bangor-city-forest/

FSAR meeting Wednesday Oct. 12 at Mt. Abram High School at 6 p.m.

Hi folks

This is a reminder that in addition to our monthly FSAR meeting, tomorrow evening is our annual fit-test. MASAR requires that each team certify that its members are physically fit enough to carry out the mission.

For starters, the meeting will be held at Mt. Abram high School in Salem at 6 p.m. (not in Kingfield and this is a ½ hour earlier than normal)

What to bring? Bring a pack and 25 lbs. of weight (2 liter bottles of water, free weights, sandbags, rocks, etc.) and good footwear for walking fast. The test: walk 2 miles around the track wearing your 25 lb. pack for 30 minutes. You are not permitted to run. 

What if I am unable to take the fit test tomorrow due to injury or other situations? No worries, come at 6:30 for the meeting and take the test at another time. 

At the meeting after the fit test, we will review a draft of the regional emergency services map that is being constructed by Ben Godsoe of the High Peaks Alliance. Ben will bring the map and he is eager to get our feedback. We will also talk about upcoming training; discuss gear to share and more.

Gear to share: since we will be bringing packs for the fit test, the piece of gear for this month’s meeting: my favorite pack for rescue work.