Twenty-seven IMSRU members spent part of a Saturday at the end of May training with the Idaho National Guard. Members were introduced to many aspects of Blackhawk operations, including exposing our search dogs to the experience of boarding with engines and rotors running. It is not uncommon for IMSARU and the National Guard Blackhawks to cross paths on SAR missions, so this was an important training opportunity. We are grateful to the Blackhawk crews for giving their time on Saturday to ensure that we are familiar with safe and effective work in and around these helicopters. Additional thanks go to all those in the National Guard chain of command who helped make this training possible.
Stations were proctored by seven senior members of the unit, testing and teaching topics covering field leadership, mission prep, twenty-four hour packs, navigation, first aid, and patient packaging. We’ve had a quiet end to winter and beginning of spring as far as mission callouts are concerned, making training like this very important for us to stay sharp for the time when that call does come.
IMSARU’s affiliation with the Race to Robie Creek continued this year. Supporting the Race to Robie Creek is a lot of work for IMSARU members, but it is an event we look forward to every year. IMSARU provides logistics and communication support, staffs first aid stations throughout the course, and establishes a medical tent at the finish line along with Ada County Paramedics and East Boise County Ambulance personnel. Approximately forty IMSARU members combined with many other businesses, organizations, and volunteers to make the 2014 race a safe and successful event.
