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Billing injured hiker is a big mistake

Sunday, July 1 at 12:01 AM

By Scott Havener, Steamboat Springs

As a member of a search-and- rescue team for almost 14 years, I find it totally absurd that injured hiker David Seals of Kansas might have to reimburse his rescuers in the Golden Fire Department $5,000 (“$5,000 rescue fee rekindles debate,” June 18).

Yes, the Golden Fire Department responded outside its normal area, but there was a very qualified rescue team available (Alpine search and rescue) that never charges for search-and-rescue missions. This team was not used. They were on scene but basically stood around.

Aerial photos of the location show that there was a trail a couple of hundred yards above the subject that would have required a simple raise to

get Seals up the slope to the trail. Then he could have been belayed down to the road in a very short time — a lot shorter time than the 8-10 hours that it took.

The Alpine rescue team is extremely experienced and dedicated team that prides itself in doing these kinds of rescues without charge to the subject. They get reimbursed for mileage and equipment that is damaged during the mission if the subject has a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue card, hunting or fishing license or has paid for a boat or off-road vehicle registration.

The members of the team do not receive any compensation for their time or for their loss of income from their normal jobs. They gladly give of their time for the mission as well as numerous trainings throughout the year. The Golden Fire Department should have called the Alpine rescue team at the outset. At the very least they should have called the Alpine team in and then turned the mission over to them when they arrived on the scene. This would have saved several hours.

This billing of subjects for search and rescue does nothing but hinder future searches. If people feel they may be billed, the reporting parties will wait longer before calling, which could enlarge the search area exponentially and thus keep unpaid search members in the field and away from their paid jobs and families that much longer.

This also endangers the lost or injured parties to a greater extent.

I suggest the Golden Fire Department get a list of resources for its area and then call on the resources that best fit the situation.

READER COMMENTS

I'm having difficulty associating getting injured or lost with one's intelligence or region of origin -as expressed by some in this discussion. Have we lost touch with the importance that those so endangered have to their families, employers and therefore to our economy? While I appreciate the prevailing parochial attitude behind such callous remarks, I also appreciate the economic and cultural benefits brought to the Colorado region by these same "outsiders". Perhaps we should consider human impact in a broader sense? The Colorado some are so desperately clinging to is, sadly, gone forever. What it will become is completely up to its expanding citizen population. Be carefull what you do with it.

Posted by Michael on July 5, 2007 12:00 PM

The reality is that all types of people, experienced or not, get injured in the mountains. Nobody can blame this man for getting injured because it could have been any of us that have tweaked an ankle while hiking. I think that includes pretty much all of us who spend time outdoors.

Like all Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) accredited teams, the Alpine Rescue Team is a highly trained organization that excels at exactly this type of rescue. They provide these services for essentially free (I believe a few tax dollars do go their way) and it sounds to me that they were underutilized. They are extremely knowledgable and proficient in such terrain and their ranks are filled with avid climbers, hikers, mountaineers, engineers, medical professionals, etc. that train together on a regular basis for such emergencies to make them safe and efficient. Keep the fire fighters doing what they do best and leave the technical mountain rescues to the dedicated volunteers who provide a invaluable service to the Colorado public and all our visitors.

To make rescue a pay-if-you-get-in-trouble service is not only an unnecessary waste of money, but simply unethical and sets a dangerous precedent.

Posted by Keith on July 3, 2007 06:15 PM

This specific instance might argue against charging the hiker, AND a review of the policies that (apparently) led to a longer then needed rescue.
That said, I have no interest what so ever in paying a dime in any tax that goes to pay for the rescue of stupid people doing something I don't do. That is, I don't hike, and if I did, it sure as heck wouldn't be in an area that might lead to my injury and need of rescue. When stupid people do stupid things, the least they can expect is that not stupid people aren't going to pay for it.

Posted by Jim in Erie on July 3, 2007 05:40 PM

It's not good for tourism and I think that's a good thing. As a third generation native, I've all but had it with people coming here from out of state to peruse the backcountry unprepared expecting to not have to pay for their lack of "Colorado knowledge". It's hilarious how lazy we have become to expect free rescue when we get ourselves into trouble. I fully support Alpine rescue and what they give up for us, but to expect any type of rescue (Alpine or Golden Fire dept.) is wrong. It's a privilage to have these things, not a right. Be an adult, prepare yourself when you go out there, and don't think there will be a team working for free and always ready at your command to come get you. They're mountains, not playgrounds. If you want an adult to watch over you and protect you, go to the park and play on the swings.

Posted by Chris on July 3, 2007 11:20 AM

I've mixed opinions about charging folks for rescues because some rescues are a result of massive stupidity on the part of the lost person(s). If the search and rescue teams are publically funded then why should my tax dollars pay for someone who failed to plan for their excursion or didn't know what they were doing in the first place. It is one thing to miss one item on your list that results in getting lost and another all together to go out unprepared (I'm think of the USAFA cadets on Pike's Peak in May) and end up having to have money put out to get you out of your predicament. Where is the notion of personal responsibility?

Posted by Kelsey on July 2, 2007 09:09 AM

I totally agree that this is just bad policy. It is not good for tourism as people may just avoid coming here. Also, people who do get lost or injured may further endanger themselves and other attempting to "rescue" themselves. This guy was hurt; he didn't plan on getting hurt and we as human beings have a responsibility to help him. As an outdoors person, I pay into a fund that is specifically for this type of safety net. I want to know that help will be available, and be paid for out of those funds.

Posted by linda on July 1, 2007 07:45 AM

I don't know much about what's suppose to happen, but my brother, who lives in the area, is aware of the trail also. Watching the rescue on the news and seeing all those ropes made me wonder why a helicopter coundn't have been used and why US6 was closed for such a long period. With what I just read, I vote on a no charge to the victim and a major review policy in Golden, or maybe they saw a great opportunity for a great training mission. Just one man's opinion.

Posted by Dale on July 1, 2007 07:39 AM