The CRESA Emergency Management Program staff serve as "duty officers" which mean that when situations need additional resources coordinated beyond what 9-1-1 has easily available, we are paged to assist in this coordination. Our most frequent call is for "search and rescue" coordination. While the County Sheriff is responsible for directing the tactical operations of all searches, our Emergency Management program notifies and gathers additional searchers and resources needed to find lost people.
In doing some research for this article, we came across a public safety campaign created by the White Mountain National Forest and the New Hampshire Fish & Game Office called 'Hike Safe' at http://www.hikesafe.com/. On their website, they outline the Hiker Responsibility Code. It says:
You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared...
...with knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
...to leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans.
...to stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.
...to turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.
...for emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.
...to share the hiker code with others.
Tomorrow at the Skamania County Fairgrounds, which is the site of the Washington State Search & Rescue Conference this weekend, there will be an "Open House" from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. if you want to check out seeing many of our local Search & Rescue resources, groups and assets "in action" both on the ground and in the air.
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