To the rescue

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, June 5, 2013

In their routine lives they walk paths of mild-mannered normality: A nurse, a construction worker, a pharmacist, a dietary manager and a retired park ranger, just to list a few. They are mothers and fathers, citizens and business owners, our very friends and neighbors. But when the need arises and with a swiftness that would make even Clark Kent swoon they transform into members of a highly trained team of volunteers, standing together for awareness, education and safer days on this American beach. Faster than a speeding current, more powerful than an undertow, and able to leap tall waves in a single bound … Look! There in the water! Its a seal! Its a boat! Its South Pacific County Technical Rescue! And oh, how lucky we are to have them.

Founded on Washingtons Long Beach Peninsula in 1978 as Pacific County Cliff Rescue, the group began like any good comic: Just a few friends with some specialized skills, hanging out in the Hall of Justice (or in this case, the community fire hall), contemplating the greater good and thinking up ingenious ways to save the day.

Every summer, somebody was fishing or climbing down at Beards Hollow, and theyd get stuck out there or hurt, and on such uncommon terrain there just wasnt anyone equipped to help them, says Gary Forner, charter member of the organization and longest-serving active teammate. We saw a real need, and so about seven of us got together, raised money for equipment, and then trained ourselves to be competent. Now, he adds, smiling, you look back on it like its your kid thats grown up. The dedication amazes me, and I really couldnt be more pleased. Forners pride is fully justified.

With 25 all-volunteer members and a full 35 years of experience, the team, now South Pacific County Technical Rescue, continues on its original course but with a few new tricks up its sleeve. Though still properly trained and equipped to perform rescues on any cliff within its jurisdiction, in the early 1990s, SPCTR added a surf rescue component to the program offering assistance to swimmers in distress in any of the acutely dangerous waters surrounding the Long Beach Peninsula an aspect that now comprises 90 percent of the groups rescue efforts. In 2003, members expanded the program again, this time through a prominent system of education and awareness. Believing that prevention is the best of cures, the team provides information to the community about general beach safety through signs, brochures and meetings. It also sponsors all local 5th grade classes in an annual two-week-long spring swimming program, where kids learn basic safety in a pool environment and work on skills to increase their confidence in the water. In a state whose drowning rate is historically higher than the national average (mostly due to cold water temperatures and the swift-running currents off the coast) and on a peninsula surrounded by water the program is literally life-saving.

Speaking on the teams positive local contributions, Pacific County Sheriff Scott Johnson, whose agency is responsible for summoning the team during times of trouble via the 911 call system (the best of bat-signals) has this to say: Without a doubt they are our strongest search and rescue, and I think their surf component isnt just the best in our area, but in the whole United States. They operate to an incredibly high standard, usually responding within minutes, and I completely trust every person on their management team. The fact they have so many long-term members also speaks to their great success.

Volunteers vote with their feet, says Doug Knutzen, SPCTR member since 1985 and current leader of the team, so if people stop participating, you know right away that something isnt working. By all indications, thats not the case here. On the team since 2003, Erika Hazen, a surgical nurse, agrees, saying, Theres a great team dynamic, and Ive always felt incredibly safe. We train hard, we train often, and were always there for each other. And as Knutzen reminds, You dont need to wear a wetsuit to be part of our group we also need support with things like communications, fundraising efforts and maintenance. Basically we have a place for everyone, and well take as little or as much as you want to give.

Monthly training sessions hone team-members skills and prepare them to respond to between 15 and 30 distress calls per year, which are received via radios, pagers and text messages. For cliff rescues, SPCTR arrives with a tactical trailer equipped with gear to outfit a 12-member crew. For surf rescues, the teams response varies by situation, but it typically involves qualified rescue swimmers (who must pass an intensive, two-part swim test every year), a host of personal protective equipment, jet skis, and at least one vigilant observer monitoring the situation from the beach. In addition to its preparatory exercises, the group also hosts an annual multi-agency drill, which this year included participants from nine local law enforcement and emergency agencies, each responding from different perspectives a clockwork start to the season ahead.

Will Green has been an active member of SPCTR for three years, and as a professional firefighter and paramedic, he brings significant experience and cross-training to the team. Humbly echoing the sentiments of his colleagues on what motivates their efforts, he says, It really is so satisfying to be of help when someone needs it. Ideally, we arrive when a bad situation has peaked, and hopefully were able to assist all the way through to a state of relief. Its an opportunity to make a unique connection and truly have an impact. In every way, I feel lucky and honored to volunteer for this.

With summer upon us, lets all return that honor as best we can: by keeping ourselves and our would-be rescuers out of harms way to begin with. To the real-life superheroes of South Pacific County Technical Rescue, we gratefully salute you! May it be a safe and happy season for us all.

For more information on SPCTR, to learn how to volunteer, or to make a donation, visit www.facebook.com/spctrescue or email spctrescue@gmail.com

SPCTR is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation which operates on an annual budget of $15,000. Supported through grants, fundraisers, and contributions from local agencies, the group also contracts with Long Beach, Wash., for 20 days of beach patrol during the peak of summer. In recent years, SPCTR has has been hired to consult and provide assistance on several cinematic productions, including three Hollywood movies (The Guardian, Into the Wild, and The Road), a documentary (Billabongs Odyssey), and two 911 re-enactments.