Mounted search and rescue

[<Jorene@CEOates.com>]

From: pennbo@bbv.net

An idea for hauling supplies is to use those rubbermaid containers that come in multi-gallon sizes. We are slowly switching to them as they are rodent and water proof. Our idea is to make up different ones for different situations so that its easy to grab and go. We don't need the same supplies for community service events as we do for searches, etc etc. But if you needed to haul a large amount of supplies quickly a canvas tarp dropped into the back of the trailer covers the worst of the dirt and makes for decent footing.

The big sturdy plastic tubs with lids are very useful. I highly recommend them for organized and portable storage. Gear also stays notably cleaner. I have several containers in various sizes that live in the back of my crew cab 4x4, secured by the camper shell, tucked under the bed rigged for those rare moments when I get to take a fast nap on a Hasty Team call-out. My storage contents continues to amaze the Sgt when he says "I don't suppose you have X in your truck?" and I just smile and go fetch.<g> A lot of the gear/equipment is year 'round use. But I'm about to shift the summer stuff (everything from portable fans to Swiftwater Rescue gear) to the back and bring the cold weather containers forward. ;)

 

The tarp on the trailer floor is a good idea. More than once in the past I've done an emergency overnight sleeping in the horse trailer with a tarp between me and whatever hadn't been cleaned out. <g> The tarp should be a good emergency floor cover solution depending on what supplies you might be hauling into a disaster area. Depends on what is under the tarp and how even / uneven that floor might be for whatever might need to be stacked inside. A tarp can also cover things loaded in the back of a truck. So people who want to be prepared for hauling things during a response might want to keep a tarp or 2 and some tie down rope handy.

 

With the right kind of creative ramps for horse trailers, you can also transport things like motorcycles, quads, bicycles if you have a way to secure them inside. Our Kubota tractor fits in our 3-horse slant. ;)

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
Tulare Co, CA
SAR, MSAR, Swiftwater Rescue, US&R,
Technical Rescue, Cave Rescue,
Hasty Team, ICP
www.CEOates.com/sar
Tulare-Kings CERT Program Coordinator
www.tk-cert.org