The Graham County Rescue Squad recently received a new piece of equipment that will be used in rescuing injured persons from woodland areas.
The new wheeled-basket stretcher was purchased from Cascade Rescue in Sand Point, Idaho. This equipment is constructed as the order is received and there is usually an 8-12 week waiting period before it is received. The stretcher is much lighter than one the squad already had, with the basket weighing 18 pounds and the wheel assembly 15 pounds.
Graham County Search and Rescue Coordinator Tory Lynnes said this item was paid for – in part – from donations received from local churches, the Miata car group that visits the area, the Dragon Hill Climb group and from grateful hikers who have been rescued. One lost couple that was rescued from Slickrock years ago continues to send a generous donation every year, with the date they were found written on a card.
Squad members held a Saturday training session with the new equipment on the Stratton Bald Trail. Those participation in the training exercise included Tory Lynnes, Brent Eller, Jonathan Odom, Larry Crisp, Brian Johnson, Aimee Johnson, David Grant and Zeb Hutchisen.