Mock crisis tests SAR teams Practice:

A plane crashes somewhere above Ponderosa and search-and-rescue crews are called to respond.

That was the first scenario facing more than 60 participants over the weekend during a large-scale mock search-and-rescue training hosted by the Tulare County SheriffÂ’s Department.

Members from a search-and-rescue groups including TCSO Search and Rescue, Sequoia Mountain Rescue, Valley Search and Rescue, the SheriffÂ’s Posse, California Highway Patrol, VolunteerÂ’s in Patrol and the TCSO Aero Squadron put their skills to the test during three crisis scenarios.

“A plane crash is the single most thing that we start with the littlest information,” Sheriff’s Sgt. Allen Knight said. “The spotter plane is going to be out looking for the crash site. They won’t be able to land so they will have to direct the ground teams to the site.”

Three members of the SheriffÂ’s Posse mounted their horses and went in search of the site and any possible survivors.

“When they get to the wreck site they’re going to find a deceased victim and a note.” Knight said. “The note will say one person parachuted out and two others went to get help with their dog.”

Knight said the search team will have to find the victim with the parachute and follow tracks to locate the remaining survivors.

Members of the U.S. Navy arrived at Peppermint Camp early Saturday morning by helicopter to play victims during the training.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Rob Romero hung from a tree limb more than 20 feet off the forest floor while Petty Officer 3rd ClassTrevor Searcy played a witness. “We’re participating in this exercise to find out how search and rescue works on the civilian side,” Searcy said. “This is an opportunity for us to learn each others’ techniques.”

Also assisting in the training exercise was a Black Hawk helicopter and crew from the National Guard.

“We do have the ability to request the Black Hawk,” Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Douglass said. “It’s just a matter of if it’s available.”

Casey Green, pilot with the National Guard, said the advantages to using a Black Hawk for rescue efforts is the helicopterÂ’s twin-engine, speed and the ability to fly at higher altitudes.

Tulare County encompasses much of the Sequoia National Monument and Forest, Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, the Golden Trout Wilderness Area and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Area.

While members of the Sequoia Mountain Rescue team recovered the victim from a tree and other SAR teams searched for two men and a dog on foot, another emergency call was put out.

“They’re going to learn there is an injured climber stranded on Dome Rock,” Knight said. “Right then we’re going to cut everybody’s resources in half.”

Not long after SAR teams and the Black Hawk are dispatched to Dome Rock there is a third report of a nearby crisis. A team is dispatched to the area of a reported suicidal subject. At the scene they find an abandoned car and a note left near the road.

Evelyn Lowe is a Porterville resident and member of the all-volunteer SheriffÂ’s Posse. She took part in the weekend training and has been searching the mountains for the lost and injured for 11 years.

“You never know if you are going to stumble across a crime scene or a lost person,” Lowe said. “It’s become very technical over the years but it’s our way of giving back to the community.”

The Tulare County Sheriff DepartmentÂ’s SAR jurisdictional responsibilities include:

327,000 acres within the Sequoia National Forest.

402,000 acres within the Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks.

More than 800 miles of maintained roads in the National Forest.

500 miles of maintained trails in the National Forest.

Contact Sarah Elizabeth Villicana at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or svillicana@portervillerecorder.com.