COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

 

DATE:

May 15, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 4, 2002

 

9:00 a.m.

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Supervisor Jerry Hill

 

Supervisor Richard Gordon

SUBJECT:

Commendations Recognizing Successful Rescue on Montara Mountain

 

Recommendation

Commend San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and Search and Rescue Volunteers, and County Environmental Services Agency's Parks Division staff and volunteer, for the March 21, 2002 successful search and rescue operation on Montara Mountain.

 

Background

In the late afternoon of March 21, 2002, Mr. Jorge Wilson, a 31-year-old hiker with a Special Needs Program from the City of San Jose Parks & Recreation, became separated from his group. Pacifica Police Department was dispatched to the scene and began searching for him in the area of San Pedro Valley County Park. They contacted County Parks and Sheriff's Office for assistance; and a full search and rescue operation commenced. Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue units were activated, including the Sheriff's Air Squadron's fixed wing aircraft. Parks staff joined in the operation.

Ranger Steve Durkin, the Park Ranger in Residence, had been off-duty that day and when he returned home about 5:00 p.m., he asked if his assistance was needed. Indicated that it was not, the Ranger went to his home. From there, he could hear someone crying, "Help!" He notified the Command Post and joined in the search.

Around midnight, Mr. Wilson was located. He had strayed from the trail and was trapped in dense brush on a steep incline several hundred yards north of the communication towers just inside San Pedro Valley Park. Using chain saws to clear a path, personnel were able to extract Mr. Wilson 3 ½ hours later. He was cold and scratched, but uninjured.

 

Discussion

The successful search and rescue operation for Mr. Wilson required extraordinary efforts of all of the individuals involved. The area being searched was vast; echo effects distorted the direction of sound so searchers had to coordinate to eliminate echo locations; there is dense brush and steep, rocky terrain; and it was dark and cold. Fortunately, Mr. Wilson was able to almost continuously shout for help.

It took eight hours to locate the hiker; and more than three hours to extract him from the dense brush in which he had become trapped. To get to him physically, personnel had to carve tunnels through growth, which permitted at times access traveling like a snake would, on their bellies.

Although we are asking the Board to commend the County Sheriff's Office, the Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit Volunteers, and Environmental Services Agency's (ESA) Parks Division staff and volunteer as entities, we think all 51 individuals who participated should be recognized for the record.

 

County Sheriff's Office

County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Volunteers

Environmental Services Agency. Parks Division

     

Lt. John Quinlan

Jeff Norris

Superintendent Dave Moore

Sgt. Rich DiLorenzo

Bill Smith

Ranger Mike Fritz

Deputy Larry Edwards

Larry Nelson

Ranger Doug Heisinger

Deputy Doug Medina

Will Hirst

Ranger Steve Durkin

Deputy Eddy Ingram

Chris Caldwell

Ranger Emily Jetke

Sgt. John Hein

Robert Betts

Ed Decker, Friends of SPVP

Deputy Jim Farrell

John Silvey

 

Deputy Josh Chilton

Liane Diggins

 

Deputy Patrick Lucy

Heather Forsythe

 
 

Leonard Brzezinski

 
 

Marco Cavalieri

 
 

John Ayllon

 
 

Nelson Tejada

 
 

Dan Bennett

 
 

Andy Forbes

 
 

John Koerner

 
 

Tom Ennis

 
 

Judy Hilldrith

 
 

Gary Martell

 
 

Barbara and Frank Erbacher

 
 

Ross Fleischman

 
 

Gerard Stone

 

 

Mike Hogan

 
 

Adcock Winston

 
 

Frank Dal Porte

 
 

Vision Alignment

These commendations keep the commitment of ensuring basic health and safety for all and goal number seven: maintenance and enhancement of the public safety of all residents and visitors. The commendation contributes to this commitment and goal by providing recognition to the staff and volunteers who dedicated many hours under adverse circumstances to ensure the safety of a member of the public.

 

Fiscal Impact

There is no fiscal impact associated with these commendations.