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Home My WebLink Aboutbocc.con.011.1996 :. • .t_.<. �•� , -...... . r�J - aN�. ,,• . ' . . . ' ,! ',... ...., .� . ...,.. �. ..,....._._. � z �{�. !* � .i.�.:,� { .,. ... .. :' :l. _ :�., � : i� , �c'�.::, .�,,... .. .. ..... �9�� ` T.�„�'�. '�" Svhite River P.O. Box 948 �a i`!:.; United States Foreat ???'-':R�'�. ' De artment of Service National Glenvrood Springa, Y'�c,stiu'•, � Agricultura Poreat Colorado 81602 "i„°�'L�'��` . 303 945-2521 ' � r ._ Reply to: 3170/6140 '. �� Date: March 7, 1996 ;�'. , k` Pitkin County Sheriff j;�:i. . " Robert Braudis � ' • { ': 506 E. Main Street ;r'�'�� Aspen, CO 81611 1.��- ``.` - Dear Sheriff Braudis: � Encloaed is a fully executed Memorandum of IInderstanding for search and rescue ' activities in wiZderness on the White River National Forest. I have added a slightly modified cover page with the blanks completely filled in. If you have any questions regarding this document or how to use it, please call either Rob . � Iwamoto at 925-3445 ar Jim Simonson at 945-3267. One reminder is £haZ you will _ � still need to notify the Forest Service within 48 hours of the initiation of a i search or rescue mission under this MOD. I have included a fozm that describes 1 the type of information we would like included in this notification. � Shortly after the first of next year, the Aspen Ranger District will be scheduling a meeting with you to review the operations covered by this MOU. We look forward to cooperating with you on this very impoitant issue. I � i Sincerely, �: . ' � �Y� �� ."�� . � � � V&TO J. LASALLE ' � 2orest Supervisor � - Enclasure �� _ � I i cc: Aspen Ranger District jDan Matthews-SOpris District . , � � . f i i s � i ( � i � ..._ . ._... .. _ . . . . . .... _ .. ._ _ ._.._. ._. ��'�. _.__. ...__ .._.. . ... . .. ,. .� . .., y� . . . / ' � � . . . . � � . . i --� � � . � /,._; . j � , � • ��A ' •� . . . � a�a .. . � :... _., ..�. . .. :�.. >:;,�. .,. .. . __..... _.. _. �, . �,�.'',�,: � • ��:,,' . C_��—I I ;.�,�:'�:sS:. ,-. .� � MEMORANDUM OF IINDERSTANDING �� between .:{� ROBERT C. SRAIIDIS , PITKIN County Sheriff, � (Sheriff�s namey ! . PITKIN County, Colorado � ��:�;_ - i and the r � � White River National Foreat, - ;'�S'. - Glenwood Springs, Colorado ' c � THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, is made and entered into between ROBSRT C. � � SRAUDIS PZTKIN County SherifE, herinafter referred to aB County Sheriff, and�the White River National Forest, hereinafter referred to as the Forest Service. . i � WITNESSETH: wHEREAS, the County SheriEf hae the responsibility for Search and Reecue � Operations on all lands within PITKIN County. t � WHEREAS, The Foreet Service has the responaibility for the management and 3 � ' ± resource protection of federal lande, including Wilderness r�ithin the White � � River National Forest. i � � NOW TI3EREFORfi, in Consideration oP the above premises, the parties heYeto agree as follows: I i . 1 i � � ! '4T' ' i ' � - ..:. . _. _ ._.. �� ,, _..._.._.__...__._ ...... ... . .t. .. _ ..� . . . .... .. _-. .. . . .... ._. . . . - n : . _.�___ ..._.. . , . . . . . � } / �'` . s _. + - � - i a ,1��_ - . . � � - , . .�_��,. � . � , . � , . � . �a..) .. � � ,� ;. . .,� , . ._. .. - , . . ... .. .�� . , . ,:.... �..... ... ........_...., . , ��.��, ;�.'�,',�: . , �. _ , �.;,�}�': ` - .�_#;-t�: . THE FOREST SEAV2CE SfiALL ' '�., Approve, without prior request Erom the County Sheriff, the use of motorized �• equipment (only to the extent necessary) in the wi2derness areas as follows: ,�'; A, RESC(7E ' � , - 1. Removal o£ �eCeased persons. .-_ � 2. Removal o£ people with obvioue life-threatening injuries; e.g., heazt . attack, etroke serious bleeding, fractured eku21. . ��Y � 3. Whenever there is real doubt as to whether or not the injury is ' li�=. t.hreatening or eituation where individua2 may face a life threatening . situation (i.e. unusual snowfall, winter storm approaching etc.). � i . 4. When the topogzaphy or £ooting is so hazardous that it wz22 expose the injured party or the rescue team to probability of additional or new � serious injury, � B. SEARCH ._ . .. � 1. There is good reason to believe that the person being searched for has a . life-threatening injury, � 2. There is ood reason to believe the lost 4 person will be placed in a � life-thzeatening situation such as a result o£ a predicted adverse change - in the weather; e.g., person was lightly-dressed and 6ROW etorm is � predicted. 3. The onlv potential rescues are not physically capable of accomplishing �,�, � ehe search without motorized or mechanical equipment. r � � a. When there is an external eituation requiring immediate location o£ a � � person within the wiZderness; e.g., signed affidavit in wriich parent has to � give written permission for surgexy. I i i5. When the topography or footing is so hazardous that it will expose the j the search team to probability of additional or new serious injury. I - �j TH& COUNi'Y SHERIFF SHAI.L � � 1_ Make use of inechanical and motorized equipment within che wilderness areas without prior request of the Forest Service only as set for[b above. 2. Report to the Forest Service all (approved without prior request) searcY. and rescue operations within 48 hours of the beginning of � - operacions. " , 3. kill make proper request to tl�e Foresc ServiCe for the use of motorized � equipment in che wilderness areas £or all eearch and rescue operations not covered in tbe approved without prior request list. . � - + i . . ...._. ._ . .. . ._.. .. ...., . / . . , . . .. �. .... . . . ... .. . . .. . _ . . . . . . . �-i.'�n�, .. i �� . � ' � ' � ~.��A � .. . . ' . �; • . �.f . � . ' �� r�li;�'. . . j,`�G`-�-:�;'' ��.:;��:L��,. IT IS MUT[7ALLY AGREED AND QNDERSTOOD SY AND BETWEEN THfi SAID PARTIES TH1�T: �_ _.`,r� 1. This memorandum of understanding may be revised as necessazy by mutual .�. coneent of all parties by the issuance of a written amendment, signed and ' ;* � dated by all parties. ' ::+..,. 2_ The Forest Service, in writing, may terminate the memorandum of � understanding in whole, or in part at, when ever it is detezmined that the � other party hae materially £ailed to comply with the conditions of thie agreement. �,'... �'.:'_.: 3.• 8ither party may Cexminate the agreement by prwiding 60 days notice, �.' �.:r.4�. �- unless tezminated by the Foreat Service unilaterally for cause in . accordance witii •txticle 2 of t._.i section. ' ' � 9. This memorandum oE understanding shall be effective upon execution by ' .~ � all parties hereto. � � '�/ '�� ": � FORSST SUPERVISOR DATE '� � � / e ��Sf / c�/"�� ' • PTTKIN COIINl'Y SHERIFF DATE �., � � , 2- ] l 9 ; Pitkin�Cou rney D te Ap ved as £orm �,-.s .�-LY-y� � Pi County erk Date z_��-b e iden , Mountain Rescue-ASpen Date ti 1 0� � _ ,v .. . ; �r�� g . ; ; � . ; , , ; -- . . . ; . . _ ____ __.. _ . _ _ _ _ .:�r . _. , �, ��.:,. , .� � • '� . � _ � -. , � �� . :,;4: . •�:. , . . �;� �..; x��:, � . + � �`��i`.a. • ��',��`;L,. �.:: APPROVAL GVIDELSNES - MOTORIZED VS8 IN WILDERNHSS � - ��'� . fi�� .c r for . v� .. ,y, . .. SEARCH AND RESCIIE ACTIVITIES � � . �',.I''-.'�'� Approval Guidelines £oz use of motorized and Mechanical Equipment for " " Search and Rescue within the Colorado Wilderness Areas. ��' -. � ��..�,`-...� �- RESCUE - � ' ::.i:..Y.-�. . � ALWAYS APPROVE ,�:.:%^..'. 1. Removal of deceased persons. . � 2. Removal of people with obvious life threatening injuries; e.g., heart �� attack, etroke, serious bleeding, fractured skull_.. � � 3. Whenever there is real doubt as to whether or not the injury would be �r��`� �� . life threatening_ � � .� . � 4. When the topography or footing is so hazardous that iC will expose the �� injured party or the rescue team to probability of additional or new � serious injury. �� IISIIALLY APPROVE � ` � I. Injuzy is not life threatening, but delay in rescue or rescue ,t i : transportation by hand litter or stock may result in additional injury . , or serious complications resulting�from the initial injury; e.g., .. � broken le9 where the pain resulting from the primitive transportation �'�?�� would be the person into shock, eerious cut from a source with high `� - j potential £or infection to a person that is several days travel fran a, � � trail head. i ' � i i � 2. Tnjury is not life threatening but it is serious and the present ' and/or predicted weather would likely cauae delays in Cravel that + would make the injury life threatening. � I _ j � NEVER APPROVE '�� 1_ When the injury is not life threatening and the person can transport " him oz herself or be transported by nonmotorized or non-mechanical �y � means to the nearest logical point of rescue; e.g_, eimple fracture of or, sprained ankle. 'a , � �;. r� � , , ��.-- � � � : � _ � � _.__. _ _ _ _ ; .,.: : _ _ , ��` t , , ; . � �. , � :,�� , � ��- � -�;; .. .. M'�� . •Jk .. . � 1 . .. . -. . . . y:l.� �{ L..:r. , , , : . .,. � ... ,. ., .,• . .� ��.+ . ..� .. -, .: . .�.,; . .�. . .. . .1 .. �F .,� V�� ;.�:..I'. . .'��r/.1�)4 .ril,h.Ai�.v -. _' ... �,�...� F „LS'� •. ' """._ .. .� �t. . • ��i:y��i . ` S` .. , . ��t�.:i_.J: � �..V.1it�'� y,� �.. APPAOVAL GIIIDELINES - , � Page 2 , - . �:r� .c MOTORIZED IISE IN WILDSANESS for SEARCH AND AESCQE ACTIVITTES i` .- '�. . ':��.' '.�~ SEARCFI . '. `'� � This pertaine only to thoee iteme requiring Forest Service approval i.e., � '1:.-�� air drope, landing of aircraft in wilderness or the use of motorized or �'!'''°` mechanical equipment in the wildernese, �'',� � �::r.::,r.,': � ALWAYS APPROVE .�� . f..,_:-.:_. f �._''•��.�.' ' 1. There is reason to believe that the pereon being saarched fo: :as liEe . threatening injury; e.g., person was laet seen wandering in a daze. ��, " ' � 2. There ie reason to believe the lost �` person will be placed in a life threatening situation ae a result of predicted adveree change in the �:'� . weather; e.g., person was lightly dressed and snow storm is pzedicted. ' (. f 3. The onlv potential rescuers aYe not physically capable of ��;� accomplisbing the search without motorized or mechanical equipment. '�x �.: • 4_ When there is an external situation requiring immediate Iocation of a person within the wildemess; e.g., immediate relative is in a , critical medical situation. � � � S. When there is serious doubt concerning whether or not the situation is Zife threatening. • . 6_ When the topogzaphy or footing is so hazardous that it will expose the ai;'�' the search team to pzobability of additional or new serious injuzy. ! ' USUALLY RPPROVE � A close relative has died and the family has requested the person be k. � located so they can perform a necessary function within uncontrollable time J constraints. j � i � NEVER APPROVE � i - 1. There does not appear to be any real indication that the person is in � , , a li£e threatening situation; e.g., pereon in good health, dressed For . the situation is slightly overdue_ . 2. Ouiside request is made to locate a person for non-critical external � reasons; e.g., attend funeral o£ a friend, to make financial - ' i � decisions, to see if person is okay. � � � 3. The specific reguested method will result in serious phyaical impacc ! � . to the vilderness and there are alternate methods that accomplish the � objective� of the seaYCh without the impacts. `� i -- f '. _ _.. .__ _ . _ � , �i��F . ~ y . � � . . • t;r,'F�:. � � � � . iF- ' � r,i •'t'�.. � .. 1 '. ..... .. . . ... . .. .. ''�•` '� '� :4��.r_, . .,._... ...... ...�.+. ..v. .a�,.,ne.w.u.....,..,... .. .. • ��y,;�, `.��:�.:'.. :y:. • '��3;;,�. i;::. - The following is a philosophical background paper that may be used ko help ,�� explain and/or support deciaions concerning search and rescue operations in .�, wilderness. , ..�+. BACKGROUND AND pOLZCY - � As de£ined by the Wildernese Act of 2964, wilderness "in contrast with those areas where man and hie owa worka dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized ae an area where the earth and ite co�nunity of life are .__ untraimpeled by man, where maxx himself is a visitor who doee not remain.^ This definition is important as it establishes the basis Eor all USDA r Forest Service management actians ia classified Wildernesses. �. � � . � �. At all times, Wilde_._eas is �n be managed to prevent degradation_ The , non-degradation principle seeke to maintain each Wilderness in at least as . wild a condition as it was at the time of classification. The ,_ non-degradation policy assures appropriate diversity and Wildezness character are maintained. Wilderness is managed to protect the values associated wiCh it,_ � specifically, the user�s experience, natural ecological process, spiritual � meaningfulness, and ecientific research_ Frequently, thie means we must manage the people, including users and other agencies that traverse, study, and use the wilderness resource. Ninety-nine percent of the problems _ associated with impacts on the wilderness resource can be tied to inappropriate use. Por this reason, the Rocky Mountain Region has � � etandards and guidelines that are ueed to manage wilderness_ Unless changed by the Forest's Plan, these standarde are in place, and are lieted � by wildexness resource spectrum ranging from Cransition to pristine � classifications (FOrest Service Manual 2320) . �:� � ', Forest Service policy is to encourage and support strong local and State ' : leadezship in Search and Rescue operations. Field pereonnel m�.cst corstinue to be responsive to the public neede, particularly as they relate to the . protection of life and property_ As stated in FSM 2326.1, the Forest Supervisor may approve the use of motorized equipment or mechanical ? transport in Wilderness for emergencies "where the situation involves an - inescapable urgency and temporazy need for speed beyond that available by _ � ' primitive means��_ Normally, the District [tanger and/or a representative � . - approved by the Forest supervisor hae the authority to authorize motorized equipment or mechanical transport in Wilderness where a "life threatening" emergency or a death exiets. These guidelines will help the local manager � make the appropriate decision_ However the local manager rax'ely has all � the facts at hand when the decision must be made, and it is better to error on the side of safety than to risk £urther injury or a life. A2so, the . liEe threatening criteria can be applied to rescuers themselves as in the , . case where [he use of a helicopter is [he only "safe" way to carry out the � rescue. There may also be embarrassing public relations probleme - associated with a bureaucratic approach to securing approvals in � emergencies. . � �- � I /. ... . . . . . .. . .. . . ,.r� . . t � � . • � ;:�r�. � .. � • t. • •..i -�'�k�� . � •'!� . .,.... ,. . . ., ' � I.... ....... . ..... ... i.i. . ..,��:�-, .. ..�.. ..._._........ . �... �,?j�il�;`��, , • t , �j?�.i'a-•�r,�. � , ' �r•�i,;.: - . ' tii.,-f`S!„•:. �. �:�.' Technical2y, the Sheriff's Department is in charge of all Search and �'i;" � Rescue; however, the Forest Service's job is to make sure the search and . - � rescue organization is familiar with the terrain and its land allocaCions �, in which the Search and Reecue is occurring. �„ When the local authorized officer makee a decisiori to use motorized ' :, � , equipment in the Wilderness Eor an emergency Search and Rescue situation, a . �. .. brief narrative should be prepared docwnenting the situation in which they granted approval. Thie shou2d be sent to the Forest Supervisor as soon as possible. We do not want to cause undue etress to family members of an :ndividual that is facing life threatening conditions, or who is deceased. While 'r death dimiuiehes the urgency, in sane ways i`.. increaees the urgency so the . �� ' � family may finally com� to grips with the oucc�me and deal with it - accordingly. , ^ i SEARCH AND RESCUE GUIDELINES OVERVIEW { Gro�v Size; Wheze possible maximum pazty eize should be 6 to 14 people. � Livestock limits should be based on vegetation and soil impacts;-maximum �� I number should not exceed 15. ' {NOte: Realize that it takes approximately 8 pereons per mile to carry an , injured person out_ The party should be limited to only what is necessazy). � � Eauioment: As a rule, no mechanized or motorized equipment-is allowed in wilderness_ Exceptions are made £or life threatening injuries, death, and certain other emergencies. These are determined on a case-by-case basis by the Forest Supervieor, the lead District Ranger, or other authorized ' � o£ficer responsible for the area. Where motorized equipment must be used, t actention must be paid to access points, timing of landings or of use o£ k�'= � � �noisy equipment or both, interactions with other users, impacts to ' . _ vegetation and wildlife, and determine how they fit into the desired � � � managed wilderness e�cperience. j Doqs; Where not otherwise prohibited, search dogs may 2ae used. Search . � dogs will be certified by a recognized search and rescue organization and will be under the control of a handler at all times. Zt is encouraged that � qualifed search dog resources be used in wilderness azeas to lessen the � �� - - impact of large search parties. Method of Travel: Zn all cases, the preferred mode of Lravel is via ° horseback or by foot. � Ma�aaerial standards - Evidences of Search and Rescue Ooerations: In all cases, the search and rescue operacion should be as unobtrusive as possible - in how the wilderness resource and visztor's experience might be afEected. • '. All efforts should be made to minimize any potential degradation of the �. resource or of the visitor's experience or both. In some cases it may be , useful fox che District Ranger to place a Forest Service pereon on the � ground, in the field of operation, to infozm the general public,as to the situation and why non-wilderness methods.are being used. '� � - 1 / � � ' , �,, � ; ,,; . •�v . • „,y ��".. �.r.,�.rn..r� u� ,,. ;w;, ,ay .:. ,.. , , • '. . _. ..- ._�..:. ,.i... y ..-�� +��.k 'hati.w..i .. . . . . ._ �.. ...... - .... .i �in.U�,rrt.'rt.�x�uV�rr.............. ..-...... � ' ' f��' n � , y �.��, �G;. . ' . ` + � . �;,.:��;' , .,: � ' � PIATIONAL FOREST SERVIC& �Y�� '' -. , 'l� � SEARCH & RfiSCUB INFORMATION REP6RT �'�•�;-�.: � :y ;•i 1. Agency iteporting Date Times ' '.: � � 2. Name and address of Person Reporting incident ��,�� . ;. i��..:::. . :'r" : 3. Nvmber of pereona injured or lost .._ . 9. lype of injuries . ' S. Location of incident - landmarks .�,. 6. Time of incident Date -t � 7. Names of persons injured or lost � i �;r i ; { 8_ Names and addresses of other persons in party involved i i �'` � 9. Weather_ � ' I � I 10. Was aerial support practical? Search f . � Evacuation Landing site i � 11. Other agencies involved. � 12. Additional cortunents � 13. Sheriff notified - Time Date ' .. � i ' �� 3 � 14. Supervisor notified - Time Date � i ....._.. E . . i ! .` . � �. � I I _....._.._. ._.__.._..,. .._.__ _.... . .._ . ,� . . .....__._. ._.. . . . ...... .... _ .... ..._._.. .... .. . _._...... .._ .. .. _.... �� ... : . i � 4 . - 4 . . t .�_, . -1. � � ..'"F;x. -- _ . ' �. . � . ..�,_a , •�. c ' _ , . . . �v.)