Post by L Roebuck on Mar 13, 2006 18:39:19 GMT -5
Lost? Need to be rescued? Marion Co. group will be there
For the last 13 years, the Marion County Emergency Rescue Team has been saving lives of people who find themselves in dire straits. Dwayne McFarland, president of Marion County Emergency Rescue, said his organization specializes in swift-water rescues, cave rescues, lost-person searches and other types of rescues.
McFarland said his rescue team, which is comprised of 31 volunteers, has participated in 36 major rescue operations since its inception in 1993. The team also has participated in 20 minor searches that last less than 12 hours each. He said the team was formed to help local emergency response teams such as fire departments.
"We have some equipment that the fire departments might not be able to afford," McFarland said. "We try to work in specialty areas that firefighters might not be trained in."
The rescue team is funded primarily through donations. A small portion of the budget is provided by the Marion County Sheriff's Department.
McFarland, who's been a volunteer for the team since it started operation, said his organization has taken part in several notable rescues. He said the first rescue was one of his most memorable.
"It was a horse who fell into well," McFarland said with a laugh.
McFarland said the 4-day-old colt tripped and fell into a hand-dug well at a farm just west of Yellville. He said he was lowered from the end of a pump truck into the well and strapped the horse up. Workers then pulled the animal to safety, he said.
The Marion County Rescue Team has assisted in searches in other counties as well. A contingent from the team was sent to Louisiana following the devastating landfall of Hurricane Katrina.
McFarland said 18 volunteers and three rescue trailers worked in Louisiana for more than five days. He said he received a call from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management asking for assistance in the hurricane-stricken region.
McFarland, a trained swift-water rescue instructor, said his team continues to educate themselves in multiple rescue scenarios. He said the team has applied for a Homeland Security grant to offset costs, but the group needs volunteers and money donations.
Arkansas: The Baxter Bulletin
www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060313/NEWS01/603130302/1002
For the last 13 years, the Marion County Emergency Rescue Team has been saving lives of people who find themselves in dire straits. Dwayne McFarland, president of Marion County Emergency Rescue, said his organization specializes in swift-water rescues, cave rescues, lost-person searches and other types of rescues.
McFarland said his rescue team, which is comprised of 31 volunteers, has participated in 36 major rescue operations since its inception in 1993. The team also has participated in 20 minor searches that last less than 12 hours each. He said the team was formed to help local emergency response teams such as fire departments.
"We have some equipment that the fire departments might not be able to afford," McFarland said. "We try to work in specialty areas that firefighters might not be trained in."
The rescue team is funded primarily through donations. A small portion of the budget is provided by the Marion County Sheriff's Department.
McFarland, who's been a volunteer for the team since it started operation, said his organization has taken part in several notable rescues. He said the first rescue was one of his most memorable.
"It was a horse who fell into well," McFarland said with a laugh.
McFarland said the 4-day-old colt tripped and fell into a hand-dug well at a farm just west of Yellville. He said he was lowered from the end of a pump truck into the well and strapped the horse up. Workers then pulled the animal to safety, he said.
The Marion County Rescue Team has assisted in searches in other counties as well. A contingent from the team was sent to Louisiana following the devastating landfall of Hurricane Katrina.
McFarland said 18 volunteers and three rescue trailers worked in Louisiana for more than five days. He said he received a call from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management asking for assistance in the hurricane-stricken region.
McFarland, a trained swift-water rescue instructor, said his team continues to educate themselves in multiple rescue scenarios. He said the team has applied for a Homeland Security grant to offset costs, but the group needs volunteers and money donations.
Arkansas: The Baxter Bulletin
www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060313/NEWS01/603130302/1002