Search and rescue volunteers and sheriff’s staff gathered Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office for their monthly search and rescue drills.
The Umatilla County Search and Rescue Unit is a volunteer outfit within the Criminal Division of the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office.
The team trains to help lost and missing persons, overdue hunters, stranded motorists, people trapped in snow, community members who are in need of emergency evacuations during wildfires and more.
According to the Umatilla County Search and Rescue Foundation website, this year the volunteers have been a part of 32 rescue missions, 43 operation periods, 299 mission hours and 1,918 searcher hours.
Umatilla County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dwight Johnson heads up the team. He said their training ranges from wilderness search to radio skills, from map reading to rope tying, and much more.
“We go over the various skill sets that people need to do,” Johnson said. “Which is what we’re doing tonight, how to get people into a stretcher, how to get them out because we’re usually in rugged terrain, you know, challenging terrain, as opposed to something that occurs in the town.”
Eleven volunteers showed up for training that separated into two groups to work on different kinds of rescue missions.
One group learned how to assemble a sked stretcher, transfer an injured victim to the carrier, place a large rugged trail wheel underneath the frame and haul the victim out with caution.
The second team learned how to harness and secure rope to a Ferno basket stretcher, fasten the line on a strong lumber and pull the basket with ease.
Instructing along with Johnson was Rowen Hayes, senior marine deputy sheriff of UCSO, and Alan Underkofler, a volunteer of search and rescue.
To see how quick the teams responded on their feet, Hayes shouted out environmental conditions and medical issues to intensify the rescue mission.
“It has to do with their survival,” Hayes said. “When you think about a backcountry rescue where we have to move them manually, that could be up to six, seven hours to get that person out, depending on where they are. The Blue Mountains are very significant and underestimated by a lot of people. It’s not to be trifled with.”
Above all, both groups incorporated how to communicate with victims, ask where they are hurting or bleeding, let the injured person be aware of when they are being lifted and try to make them feel safe and comfortable given the circumstances they’ve endured.
Alicia Gray, of Walla Walla, a search and rescue volunteer, said she’s been a part of the crew for one year.
“I enjoy being outdoors and I’ve spent a lot of time researching and becoming knowledgeable and so by coming and doing these training sessions I feel like I can give back to the community and help others in need when needed,” Gray said, as she laid in the Ferno stretch basket to portray an injured victim.
Edward Dolan of Pendleton, said he’s been with the unit for roughly six months.
“There’s just no better feeling than finding somebody and getting them back to their family,” Dolan said as he finished harnessing the volunteer who played an injured victim.
Johnson said the sheriff’s office deputized the volunteers and the rescue team is one of few to be ordained with that title. It is an important function of the sheriff’s office, Johnson said, which is a credit to the county sheriff and commissioners who supported the decision.
The sheriff’s office provides funding for the search and rescue unit, which also operates through grants and donations. All donation proceeds go to provisions, rescue gear, tools and more.
To learn more about the Umatilla County Search and Rescue Unit, including how to join or donate, visit umasarfoundation.org. You also can find the news on the unit on its Facebook page.
