The Whitecourt Trailblazers are getting ready to secure some new search and rescue equipment.
Cindy Brooks and Greg Anderson of the Trailblazers met with Woodlands County council at their Oct. 5 meeting to lay out their plan.
The Trailblazers are looking to purchase an off-road vehicle called a Fat Truck to assist with search and rescues in the back country. The vehicle has such features as a fully enclosed cab, is heated, and can be fitted to carry all necessary rescue equipment.
In addition to purchasing the Fat Truck, the Trailblazers would be purchasing a trailer to transport the Fat Truck to where it is needed. Once purchased, the equipment would be donated to the Whitecourt Fire Department.
Brooks explained that the need for the equipment was highlighted when she herself was involved in a back country accident on her snowmobile on Dec. 26, 2020. She says it took more than four hours for emergency services to gather the appropriate equipment and get her out of the bush. Once Brooks had recovered, everyone involved held a debriefing.
“We all got together and discussed how we could make a rescue like this easier on the victims and the people that are with them, and the rescue crews coming out,” said Brooks.
Councillor Dale Kluin applauded the move.
“Being involved with our local fire department for 30 some years, we saw something similar to this a few years ago because we are going out and rescuing ATVs and motocross bikes up in the sand hills quite numerously during the summer months,” said Kluin.
With his experience, Kluin wondered if a Fat Tuck were the right piece of equipment, as the photos provided by the Trailblazers made it look rather large for the trails.
Anderson answered that no equipment will be perfect, but that the Fat Truck meets the majority of requirements.
“What we are trying to do is find something that will benefit overall; something that will benefit the people who come to visit and ride our trails, and what we can do to provide that emergency service in the event that somebody gets injured,” said Anderson.
County council granted the Trailblazers a letter of support in their fundraising efforts. The Trailblazers may come back to Woodlands County in the spring for assistance with grant applications, once they have a more concrete fundraising plan.
