COUNTY FIRE HAND CREW PITCHES IN ON TRAIL RESCUE

San Bernardino—Wildland firefighters from County Fire’s Old Cajon Crew 6 played a key role in helping extract a hiker who had fallen ill on Friday, Sept. 12 on a trail in the foothills above San Bernardino.

At around 2:20 p.m., a battalion chief joined an engine company to determine the location of an adult female whose hiking partners had called stating she needed assistance. Eventually the patient was located on-trail approximately three-quarters of a mile off the nearest fire road.

Given the specifics of the location, a rescue helicopter was determined unwarranted, so a “hike-out” operation was planned. One module from Crew 6, whose camp in Glen Helen is nearby, was dispatched to provide the necessary personnel to carry the subject. After placing her in a litter, the 10 members of the crew took turns hand-carrying the patient across the up-and-down terrain. The patient was evaluated medically following the extraction.

The operation took approximately two hours, counting from time of initial dispatch, through the search for the patient location and the eventual hike-out. No firefighter injuries were reported.

Media Contact: Ryan Beckers, PIO
[email protected]