The Anatomy of a Search and Rescue

The BWCAW and the surrounding wilderness offers a unique experience to the hearty souls who venture into the great expanse. The solitude, the communion with nature and the challenge of exploring new horizons are all part of the lure. Though exhilarating, there are the ever-present risks that will require assistance from the Cook County Search and Rescue (CCSAR) team.

CCSAR are volunteers of various skill sets that fall under the authority of the Cook County Sheriff. They all belong to the one department that covers the entire County, but the Gunflint Trail division primarily handles the incidents in their service area. This year has seen numerous requests for the CCSAR ranging from medicals, injuries and/or lost campers.

Once someone is lost or needs medical attention, the first step is to notify the authorities. Time of course is of the essence. The advent of electronics such as GPS monitors, satellite phones, cell phones and spot locators can expedite that process. Yet it may also require paddling hours to make that connection. Ultimately the call reaches the dispatcher at the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) and a page goes out to all CCSAR members. Frequently details are minimal and very sketchy.

The first priority is to set up an Incident Command Center (ICC) for volunteers to gather. This could be at a resort or a fire hall or a boat landing…somewhere near the point of debarkation. It’s there that we’ll determine what mode of transportation is preferred, what types of equipment will be needed and how many volunteers will be required. It is not beneficial to rush through this stage. Having a defined game plan with the necessary tools is paramount to speed. The incident may be many hours away, so you want to be as prepared as possible for all contingencies. That also includes food, water, proper clothing, maps, lights, flagging tape and much more.

Communication is an essential component amongst the volunteers and the various agencies responding. A typical incident can involve the Sheriff ’s office, CCSAR, the Forest Service, the DNR. the Border Patrol, local Fire Departments and sometimes local volunteers with particular knowledge of the incident or the area. As the incident evolves, we may utilize outside agencies like USFS flight teams, the Minnesota Highway Patrol helicopter, Lake County and St Louis County SAR divisions. It can and does get complicated coordinating all these entities. The Statewide Allied Radio Matrix Emergency Response (ARMER) system is the primary source of inter-agency communication.

Each SAR event has an on-scene incident commander (IC) who’s job is to coordinate all responders and agencies. As the incident grows it may require other individuals to head up Operations, Communications, Logistics, Safety and more. The incident is run from the on-scene ICC where all the visible volunteers are what the public sees and appreciates. What the public doesn’t see are the remarkable dispatchers at the LEC. All inter-agency communications and requests go through them. Often the injured parties are communicating directly with these dispatchers or intermediary parties are relaying information to them. They have a wealth of knowledge and resources available to assist the Incident Commander and the rescuers. The incident will not function efficiently without their assistance.

No two SAR incidents are alike, but typically they will involve numerous volunteer man hours during inclement weather at the most inopportune hours of the day/night. Recently we were called to find a missing camper in the BWCAW. The page went out as dark was setting in on a cloudy starless night with rain in the forecast. To get to the scene required traversing across three lakes and three portages taking almost two hours.

The initial response that night involved ten volunteers. We eventually reached the group of campers to get a clear narrative of who was missing, how long the person was gone, any medical concerns etc. The campers had done a search of the immediate area for the missing person, but darkness and difficult terrain hampered their efforts. It was determined that any additional searching at that time would be futile, so the plan was to re-group in the morning and start an in-depth search.

Early the next morning twenty-two volunteers gathered at the ICC and dispersed by canoe to the scene covering the various lakes and camp sites conversing with other campers along the way to find out if they had heard or seen the missing party. Clouds and rain hampered the immediate dispatch of aircraft to aid in our search, but as the weather broke the USFS was able to send a Beaver aircraft to do arial reconnaissance. In this case, it was the Beaver pilot who spotted our missing person miles away on a different lake shore. He was able to land the plane, pick up the party and bring her to safety and a medical evaluation. Another successful ending!!

Overall, this incident required more than 150 volunteer man hours, 6 different agencies and the benefit of that intangible luck to result in a successful outcome. Your County SAR team and the assisting agencies are well trained and equipped to manage these incidents. There is comfort to know that they are ready at the beckoning call when needed. However, nothing will protect you better that being prepared before you venture into the wilderness. That means proper clothing, shoes, nourishment, beverages, medications, compass, GPS, knowledge of where you’re going and what to do if you’re lost or injured. Rule #1 is to NOT PANIC. Move to an open area or near a lake shore and wait for help to come. Make yourself as visible as possible. We’ll get to you.