Posted by Jim Garrett
 
 
Mike, a South Africa-born Australian, introduced to the US and Pagosa country through Ironman competitions, and now on track to become a US citizen next year, is a dauntless Indiana Jones type with an accent but without the hat.  As Director of Emergency Operations (a component of the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Department), Mike says he is on duty 24/7/365, at the beck and call of annoying beeps from Archuleta County Dispatch.
 
Two of the major responsibilities of Emergency Operations are Search and Rescue and Wildland fire fighting throughout the unincorporated areas of Archuleta County (but also including parts of Hinsdale and Mineral Counties due to the remoteness of their emergency responders.)
 
In dealing with wildfire, Mike said that all fires start small, and early response is key.  Pursuant to emergency operations agreements, up to 14 agencies cooperate as needed in responding to fires in the area. 
 
To help reduce fire danger, restrictions on risky activities are invoked in stages based on 10 criteria.  Currently, Mike said Stage One restrictions are in effect, banning open burning throughout the county.  (When allowed, open burning always requires issuance of a permit by the Pagosa Fire Protection District, Mike reported).  He added that Stage Two restrictions are imminent, noting that conditions in the County are trending similar to the major drought year of 2002, when the substantial Missionary Ridge fire burned in the region.
 
Mike pointed out that Archuleta County has a “reverse 911 system,” which has the capability of calling local residents’ phones to warn of potential disasters and convey evacuation orders.  He pointed out that the Archuleta County website has a page via which property owners can register phones outside the area and cell phones to receive notices.
 
Mike reported that Search and Rescue was founded in 1995.  He noted that it is useful if a person in need of assistance can be contacted by cell phone (the higher the altitude of your problem, the better the cell phone receptions, he noted), because often the reports received by Search and Rescue through emergency dispatch have garbled or incorrect details (a victim described by dispatch as small may turn out huge when the rescue team arrives, and foreknowledge of such details enables better planning of needed steps).
 
Mike emphasized that response by Search and Rescue is cost-free – in any incident, no charges apply until the ambulance or life-flite helicopter receives the victim, much like a traffic accident.  So, he implored, don’t make a problem worse by deciding against reporting a developing incident immediately, because of fear about the cost.
 
One illustration of the herculean effort that can be rendered by Search and Rescue when needed was provided by Mike in response to a question about the “most exciting” rescue performed by Emergency Operations.  Mike described an incident involving a man on horseback, whose mount lost its footing on a mountain trail and tumbled several hundred yards down a steep slope.  The horse was killed by the fall, but the rider – described as a very large man – survived with severe injuries.  Fortunately, others in his group were able to reach the victim and keep him warm in the cooling temperatures of late day, while others summoned help. 
 
After the Search and Rescue team arrived, members carried the man on a litter up the slope, and then to a level area where they sheltered overnight.  In the morning, the victim was airlifted off the mountain by a Blackhawk helicopter dispatched by the National Guard.