For training this week, our firefighters and Trappe EMS practiced a search and rescue scenario of an injured person in the woods who is alone and cannot walk.

Part of the training was to locate the patient with only limited information and geographic landmarks. Having limited information is often the case for people needing assistance on or along the French Creek, Schuylkill River, woods and various dirt trails.

The mock patient was located, evaluated for injuries, stabilized and secured into a stokes basket rescue stretcher. The patient was then carried out a dirt path to a parking lot along the SRT.

Crews also practiced using various rescue stretchers and methods for transporting patients on land or water.