JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Through the years, the Teton County Search and Rescue chopper has proved invaluable. It’s far more than a convenience for backcountry accidents that make it difficult for victims to walk out even with assistance. In some cases, a helicopter has meant the difference between life and death.
Last winter, Mike Connolly went into cardiac arrest while cross-country skiing in Grand Teton National Park. The quick response and expert medical care Connolly received saved his life. Without a doubt.
TCSAR does not own this aircraft. They lease the helicopter and expert pilot by contract. Currently that contract runs for half the year—a six-month period determined to be the busiest time for rescues when no other aircraft is readily available.
What Search and Rescue desperately needs is to add one more month to this lease, contracting for heli services for a total of seven months. We already know what’s at stake—lives. Maybe you, maybe a family member or someone you know. But lives are saved when the fastest (and sometimes only) way TCSAR is able to respond is by air.
And now is the time. The community has the unique opportunity to leverage up to $30,000 in matching funds, making your gift today twice as valuable. The fundraising period lasts through the end of May, then the chance is lost.
Search and Rescue is hoping you can help their heli fly. Here is what your thoughtful donation will accomplish:
- Increase our helicopter contract from 6 to 7 months covering critical spring months in the Tetons.
- Create a universal short haul team between GTNP and TCSAR for more complete coverage throughout Teton County.
- Train with other agencies (including JHMR, Togwotee Mountain Lodge and Grand Targhee Resort) to ensure on-ground resources are trained effectively to operate around and near the helicopter during a rescue. This creates more efficient and safer rescues for patients and rescuers.
- Increase the complexity of training to match the challenges of rescues. With increased fundraising we now can train where rescues actually occur, creating confidence in difficult terrain during stressful rescues.
- Fully train 11 volunteers (with an additional 5 ground crew members) to be certified short haulers for our most tactically challenging rescues.
These volunteer men and women lay it on the lay every time they are called out. When you are lost, they’ll find you. When you’re hurt, they’re coming with medical personnel and equipment. When you’ve been injured, they will get you out of woods or off the mountain.
It’s what they do. And they train an absurd amount of hours to do it as safely as possible. Now it’s your chance to help them.
Donate today. Five bucks matters. Every bit counts to make that heli fly.
