Commander’s Corner

After a fairly long dry spell for missions, it has been a busy couple of months. Some of the missions have been very difficult, but we have had great response, and fantastic cooperation under very difficult conditions. I couldn’t ask for more from a group.

I think a lot of folks have learned, or re-learned, some lessons about preparedness. On the Y-Bar mission, as we were about to cross a threshold from being a simple search to possibly an extended search into rugged backcountry with bad weather on the way, I stopped the group and we assessed all of the gear we had. Probably none of us had everything to make an overnight comfortable – but between us we had enough that we would have done fine and would have been able to continue well into the next day without re-supply. Fortunately, we didn’t need to test it as we found the subjects shortly after that.

Sometimes, a mission that seems like it should be short and straightforward gets greatly complicated purely by terrain and circumstances. The Pine Canyon Narrows mission is a good example of that, and one to learn preparedness from. The subject was less than 1 mile from command, but extremely difficult to get to – requiring every muscle and every creative thought the team could muster. I believe most of us used the last of our water and food as we stumbled back into command at 9:30PM – and a huge thank you goes to Roger for making a difficult hike out and back for some greatly appreciated resupply.

Les Hulse’s statistics indicate we’re due for a busy summer – and it has certainly started out that way. Right now is a good time to check your gear, switch out some of the winter gear to make room for lots more water, and make sure you know where everything is once again – just so it is easier to throw an effective pack together on a moments notice.

Thanks,
Bill

Don’t forget; the meetings this month are May 9th for the
Board and May 11^th for the General Meeting.
 

ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION

For Sale

Seaeagle 9.6 ft inflatable with all the seats, electric pump, hard floor, carry bag, dingy dolly, new electric motor, 5hp gas Nissan 4 stroke, 3gal remote gas tank used once.

$1700 obo

Call Don Peters 928-472-7457


 

VIP MEMBER PROFILES

MARGARET BULLARD 545

 In keeping with the true Tonto Rim tradition of the importance of active women in the Squad, Margaret has proven her worth and capability.  She has stepped to the plate to hold the office of Secretary for a second term on top of her busy schedule of keeping well trained in all areas of the squad’s requirements. She has just finished an intensive technical rope instructor training in Sedona.  For the past several years Margaret has taught school at the Pine Strawberry Elementary School.  Her husband, Dave, is a fireman at Rio Verde Fire Department in the valley and collects antique fire trucks. At least the fire trucks do not need food water and exercise.  Smart guy!  They have four active children that she manages to drive to events, keeping on top of tournaments, rodeos, and meetings and yet still finds the time to help others in need.  It sounds like Margaret has a soft spot in her heart for dogs as she manages to collect them along with the usual small farm animals. 

 Maybe this explains her answer to the question what is your favorite activity. “Anything outdoors.”  Margaret sure lives up to the statement, If you need a job done ask the busiest one around and it will get done.  We are proud to have you on our team and being such a great leader and fine example to you family and the community.

KATHY BAAS 558

One of our newer members, Kathy is already proving to be a great asset to the Squad.  Part of a new member’s obligation is to get trained to the standard of proficiency expected of all the members by the Sheriffs’ office. In addition she has shown proficiency at Man Tracking and Technical Rope.  Kathy has shown this willingness.  Not just the required academy but getting up in the middle of the night and hiking up a rugged mountain trail to find the lost and recover the deceased.

Kathy grew up in Florida but got her Masters Degree at USC.  She worked as a Project Manager with a Space and Defense Company.

Kathy has proven her love for adventure by participating in some extensive cross -country bike rides, both here and in Europe.  In fact, I hear that is how she met her husband Hal.  Kathy told me about one of their European trips by train, where Hal got the bikes off and the door shut on Kathy and she went on down the track still on the train.  Kathy has participated in a 212 mile 24 hour endurance bike ride and finished.  Now that is a claim to fame.  She and a lady friend biked across Ireland, England Belgium and Holland.  We need to get Kathy to write about her adventures.

  Kathy, we welcome you to Tonto Rim SAR and we appreciate you willingness to participate even in the dirty thankless jobs, and we are proud to have on the team. 

DON (DJ) JOHNSON 542

 Don has proven he can pick up the slack wherever needed.  Currently he is Board Member, Training Coordinator, and ATV leader/instructor.  DJ is a very active outdoorsman.  He loves to explore the back country trails on his ATV and hike with his dogs. His knowledge of the wilderness areas has been quality information for training or rescue missions.  Don will often practice his tracking skills while hiking by following the tracks of the hiker ahead of him.  This is what makes a good tracker better. His badge of Certified Man-Tracker is well earned. DJ is also a dedicated Technical Rope Team member whose training frequently contributes to successful rescue missions.

 Don attended Glendale College, where he studied electronics and commercial art. Don and his wife Diane have four children and currently have a bed and bath shop in Payson.  He retired in 1998 after 30 years with Motorola where he was a “high tech” technician. He reclaimed and processed heavy metals from the hazardous waste water amongst other difficult processes. 

Building and riding bikes and racing pro-stocks on quarter mile tracks have kept him alert and active.  Don, you have really become part of the backbone of TRSAR and I am happy you have been able to contribute so willingly of your time and talents.

JEB 510L  

Guest Article
 

Recovery of a friend on April 23^rd

As you have all probably heard by now, a recovery was made on April 23^rd  from Pine Narrows Canyon.  The recovery was physically challenging and we did not return home until after 10:00 that evening.  The next day Bob Edwards, Hal and I received an unexpected email from the wife of a friend or ours.  The text of the email is printed below:

“This is the best method to use to inform all of you of what has happened.  Dave went hiking in the Pine Creek area yesterday and while trying to make his way down a rocky path he slipped and fell 35 feet into the canyon.  Rock climbers from below came up to help him and search and rescue was called in.  He experienced many broken bones and internal injuries from falling on a large pile of rocks.  Despite all efforts he passed away at 2:00pm yesterday (4/22/06)  The high winds in the area prohibited the removal of his body but he was able to be brought out at first light.  His family is in route from California for a memorial service sometime later this week.  There will be no formal viewing or other services per Dave's wishes.  My family has come from the Valley to help me out during this difficult time.

 Thought you all may want to know.”

I was shocked to find out that the subject we had recovered from the previous night was a friend of ours named Dave Christensen. During a recovery I have learned you keep an emotional detachment in order to cope with the situation professionally.  Upon reading the email, my emotions changed dramatically.   I felt the loss of a friend.  I had conflicting feelings that I wished I had known it was Dave during the recovery while at the same time being glad that I did not know.   I now better appreciate the Sheriff Office protocol in handling the subject and his identity.

Bob, Hal and I went to speak with Dave’s wife the day we received the email.  It brought her comfort to know friends of Dave’s were part of the rescue.  It brought her peace that two of our members (Roger and Tammy) stayed with Dave overnight while waiting for a helicopter pickup the next morning. I can reflect on all the actions the squad took and confidently say we could not have done any thing better had I known it was a friend we were recovering. 

I did learn a few things from this situation.  Though I sometimes make jokes as a way of coping when making a recovery I will do so less now.  Though I sometimes judge the subject as taking on undue risks I will do so less now.  I continue to be impressed with the teamwork and professionalism of the squad and the squad’s ability to work under difficult situations.  I am glad to be a part of the team.

Kathy Baas 558

Device to help Kane County ID kids
Iris recognition: Police hope new technology will aid missing children

By Matt Hanley
STAFF WRITER, COURIER NEWS, CHICAGO IL

GENEVA IL - It's faster than fingerprints and able to tell twins apart with a single scan.

Iris recognition technology is on its way to the Kane County sheriff's office, and police believe it will eventually become the most accurate way to identify people.

On Wednesday, the National Missing Children Organization and National Center for Missing Adults will install technology at the sheriff's office that can positively identify people through detailed pictures of their eyes.

The equipment, which has been used so far mostly on the East Coast, could be particularly valuable if a child goes missing.
"It's one more tool we can use to hopefully reunite them with family," said Kane County Sheriff's Capt. Ronald Smith.

According to Smith, the non-intrusive technology can take a precise picture of a person's iris simply by having the person look into the camera. It is similar to technology that was featured in the 2002 Steven Spielberg movie Minority Report, where criminals were identified through eye scans. Smith said the sheriff's department could be using the technology in that manner at some point.

Soon, he expects inmates in the Kane County jail will have their irises scanned upon entry and exit, just as they are fingerprinted now. Those scans would ensure that two inmates with the same name don't try to pull a switch on guards, Smith said.
However, the most immediate use will be cataloging children's identities.

The sheriff's office expects in the next few months to hold up to three open enrollments where parents can have each child's iris scanned into the database. If the child were abducted, police would be able to scan the eyes and confirm the missing person's identity.

Smith said the system is more accurate than fingerprints, which is why the county applied for a grant about a year ago. It can tell a right eye from a left eye and distinguish between identical twins.

It cannot be used to identify dead bodies because the iris glazes over, Smith said.

With few other local agencies using the equipment, Kane County's first task will be cataloging identities.

"The value right now is getting the database up and going," Smith said.

04/25/06


Search for pair is fruitless
4-year-old, sitter have been missing for five months

BY CAROLYN P. SMITH
News-Democrat, St Louis, MO

4-23-2006

COLLINSVILLE -- Searchers spent Saturday combing a heavily wooded area near Horseshoe Lake looking for a 19--year-old baby sitter and her 4-year-old cousin who have been missing for more than five months. Anquiaette Parker and Cermen "CJ" Toney have not been seen since the pair left their grandmother's home to see Parker's friend in State Park Place. Parker was seven months pregnant at the time.

The searchers, which included police and volunteers, met at 8 a.m. and searched a wide area until 2 p.m. Nothing of significance was found. The group broke into five search teams, and each one had a police officer, either from the East St. Louis Police Department, Illinois State Police or the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

"We're not giving up on finding them," Illinois State Police Detective Greg Fernandez said. "This is the 18th search we've done to try to locate them. We've been meeting with the crime lab throughout our investigation, and just recently met with the scientist and lab supervisors there and got positive results from DNA," Fernandez said.

Investigators said they have been meeting with the Madison County state's attorney's office and are getting close to building a case against one individual.

The volunteer search teams came from Missouri and Illinois. They included American Red Cross; French Village Fire Department; K-9 Alliance and Search Rescue; Quest Search and Recovery; Tri-State Search and Rescue; Illinois Search Dogs; Alton Volunteer Emergency Search and Rescue; North-Central Missouri K-9 Search and Rescue; State Park Volunteer Fire Department; Madison City Police Department; and the Madison City Fire Department.

"I thank them each day for what they're doing for both of our families," said Greg Parker, Anquiaette Parker's father.

"We have faith. I don't know what else we have to do to find them. I hope one day they will call us and our sleepless nights will be over and our pain will be gone. Right now, it's still very hard on everybody," he said.

Fernandez said the huge turnout "says a lot for the community and the surrounding area. These people are donating their time and resources."

The area searched on Saturday is about 10 to 15 minutes from where Parker's car was found.

 

Tonto Rim SAR Members can now have your very own email address through our site. Just contact our Webmaster at Mail for the TRSAR Webmaster  to arrange for it, no cost to you or us.

We are promoted and you’ll also find our newsletter on the Rim Country Volunteer site;
http://www.inpayson.com/TRSAR-Payson-Rim-Country-Area.htm