Mineral County SAR prepares for summer

By Lyndsie Ferrell
CREEDE—Mineral County Search and Rescue is gearing up for the coming summer and has some plans on how to keep the team ready for a possible wildland fire emergency.
Though the team does not want to alarm the public, the fact that the area is in desperate need of moisture in the next few weeks explains why they are getting ready for emergency situations that may or may not occur.
SAR Supervisor and Mineral County Emergency Coordinator Terry Wetherill spoke about the coming season stating that Valley agencies are working closely with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention to prepare for any possible emergencies that might occur this year. “We have been working closely with the Forest Service and Devin Haynie with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention, looking at resources and getting a game plan in order,” said Wetherill.
Along with the wildland fire training and preparation, the team is also working on getting the bridges along the Rio Grande clear of debris for the coming rafting season. “We wanted to get the branches and other debris that catches up along the Wason Ranch and Pool Table bridges clear before the rafters start to float the river,” said Wetherill. The team worked with Wason Ranch owners and the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad owner Don Shank to get the bridge work completed.
In addition to summer preparation, Wetherill was recently certified to begin conducting classes used to educate the public on the law enforcement training known as ALICE. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) classes provide preparation and a plan for individuals and organizations on how to more proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or active shooter event. Whether it is an attack by an individual person or by an international group of professionals, intent on conveying a political message through violence, ALICE training’s option-based tactics have become the accepted response, versus the traditional “lockdown only” approach.
“Protection and safety must be the priority in an active shooter event or terrorist attack. Circumstantial and operational concerns vary in every new situation. ALICE training provides options and classes that address the unique challenges specific to Police/LE, K-12 Schools, healthcare facilities, higher education, businesses, government, and houses of worship,” explained Wetherill.
Wetherill plans to incorporate more public meetings on the ALICE training program in order to educate the community on law enforcement policies and procedures to handle a possible situation. “I wanted the community to know that we can start providing these classes and that we have a plan in place,” finished Wetherill.
The Mineral County Search and Rescue is continuing their training with a new team-leadership based training that breaks the team into divisions that focus on specific tactics in search efforts. “The drone division is working on learning the infrared camera on the drone and adjusting to changes in weather, going from cold to warm and learning how to identify different heat locations,” explained Wetherill. “Beyond that we are preparing for a busy summer— switching winter equipment over to summer equipment.”
Remember to show support for Colorado Search and Rescue teams across the state to purchase a search and rescue card from the local sheriff’s department or by visiting www.ihelpsearch.org. All proceeds go to helping organizations purchase new equipment and help pay for training for teams. Wetherill can be reached at the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office 658-2600 or by email [email protected].


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