Foundation Support - Park County Wyoming Search and Rescue Foundation

This section highlights the financial support given to the volunteer members of Park County Search & Rescue through the Park County Search & Rescue Foundation. Please check back to see how these funds are used to support Park County Search & Rescue in the futherance of their mission to improve the quality of life and public safety.

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Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Training- October/November 2025

Four PCSAR members attended the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course instructed by Wounded Bear Medicine in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The WFR course is tailored for professionals and serious outdoor recreationalists working and traveling in outdoor, low-resource, remote, or wilderness environments. The course provides essential training in wilderness medicine, leadership, risk management, and critical thinking (woundedbearmed.com). Nick Suizzo, Anthony Aguirre, Michael Guy, and McCoy Banks all participated in this hands-on training in different extreme field environments. Photos below depict search and rescue of multiple victims in a large boulder field during damp conditions. The instructors devised ways to simulate adverse weather conditions in order to make the training more realistic.

ICAR Congress- October 2025

In October 2025, Park Co. Search & Rescue Foundation sent four members of PCSAR to attend the 2025 ICAR Congress in Jackson Hole, WY. ICAR (International Commission for Alpine Rescue) provides a platform for mountain rescue and related organizations to disseminate knowledge with the primary goal of improving mountain rescue services and their safety. ICAR is an independent, worldwide organization that promotes international cooperation among mountain rescue teams. This year marks the second time in ICAR history that the congress was held in the United States. Over 600 individuals from approximately 25 different countries attended the event (www.icar2025jacksonhole.org). The congress agenda consisted of lectures by industry experts, networking opportunities, and a practical skills day where individuals selected an area of interest and received hands-on instruction.

Thunder Ranch Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)- August 2025

The PCSAR Foundation covered registration fees for six PCSAR members to attend the Thunder Ranch Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) in Lovell, WY. The training is specifically tailored for law enforcement and first responders and includes patient assessment, wound packing, airway management, hypothermia, triage, and patient transport.

PCSAR Foundation Soiree- August 2025

The PCSAR Foundation Soiree event showcased the historic Paul Stock House owned by Chris and Mary Waian and the basement entertaining space served as a perfect venue for a presentation by PCSAR Member and Wyoming Hoist Team Member, Elise Lowe M.D. Dr. Lowe’s presentation highlighted the importance of PCSAR’s presence in Park County, the equipment necessary for hoist team and rope rescue, and the participation of four PCSAR members on the Wyoming Hoist Team. Special thanks to Chris and Mary for hosting the event in their beautiful home. We’d also like to express our gratitude and appreciation to Kalyn Beasley, Libations, PCSAR Member Elise Lowe, M.D., BHCSAR Coordinator Jeff Schmidt, Sitti’s Table, PCSAR Coordinator Bill Brown, PCSAR Volunteer Members, Karina Black, Elks Lodge 1611, and to community members for their attendance. We hope to make the PCSAR Foundation Soirée an annual event!

Bluetooth Communication Systems Purchased- July 2025

PCSAR Foundation purchased four Bluetooth communication systems for PCSAR members on the Hasty Team and for our PCSAR members on the Wyoming Hoist Team. The devices allow PCSAR team members to communicate directly with the pilots and each other. Prior to this purchase, PCSAR volunteers were utilizing hand signals outside of the helicopter and phone notes inside the helicopter cabin to communicate with each other. Although the price tag for all four of the communication devices was around $12,500.00, PCSAR Foundation Board Members unanimously agreed that the purchase was a necessary step in increasing safety standards for PCSAR members. The communication devices may also be utilized by PCSAR volunteers when not in use by either hoist team. PCSAR Foundation would like to thank our supporters and those who have contributed financially to make this purchase come to fruition.

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Basic Swiftwater Rescue- July 2025

Five members of PCSAR completed the Basic Swiftwater Rescue training with Black Fox Rescue Institute
which was conducted in the Shoshone River Canyon below the Buffalo Bill Dam. The training includes extensive teamwork, coordination, and communication required between members to safely remove an injured person from the rapids.

Advanced Swiftwater Rescue- July 2025

Seven members of PCSAR joined South Big Horn County Search & Rescue and a member of Teton County Search and Rescue to complete an Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Technician class taught by Black Fox Rescue Institute this weekend. The class combines advance rope rescue techniques with advanced water techniques to learn how to rescue subjects from some of the most difficult and dangerous locations that SAR teams encounter. More members of these teams will be taking the Basic Swiftwater Rescue Technician over the next three days (Photos courtest of PCSAR members).

Backcountry Readiness Series: Emergency Wound Care, Shelter/Fire, & How to Prepare for PCSAR's Arrival- May 2025

DISCLAIMER: Graphic images and videos are shown below which depict simulated injuries and blood loss for training purposes.
On May 17, 2025, PCSAR volunteers Gigi Budd, Mike Guy, Frank Ehrenford, and Spencer Carstens instructed community members on emergency wound care, shelter/fire, and how to prepare for PCSAR’s upcoming arrival in an emergency. CRH Paramedic Josh Kirkman also joined PCSAR members to demonstrate how to properly use a tourniquet, to pack a wound, and apply pressure to a wound in an emergency situation.

Backcountry Readiness Series: Navigation- March 2025

On March 15, 2025, PCSAR volunteers hosted the second Backcountry Readiness Series community training session entitled, “Navigation: Maps, Navigation Devices, & Technology”. PCSAR members Jake DeWilde, Dr. Aaron Billin, George Dillman, and Gigi Budd instructed community members on maps, compasses, satellite devices, and the @caltopo mapping program/app.

Motorized Level 1 Snowmobile Training- February 2025

From February 7-9, 2025, numerous PCSAR members attended the “Motorized Level 1” training course for snowmobiles and snowbikes instructed by Eric Knoff of Six Points Avalanche Education and Jake Skeen of Beartooth Rides and Guides. The 3 day course (24 instruction hours) was held in Crandall and focused on the six points of avalanche education: Avalanche Terrain, Mountain Snowpack/Weather, Avalanche Forecast & Problems, Companion Rescue, and Decision Making. The instructional setting occurred both in the classroom and in field training sessions. The course instruction follows the guidelines set by the American Avalanche Association. Park Co. Search & Rescue Foundation covered all costs associated with the training course and believes that highly trained and qualified volunteer members are the cornerstone of all completed missions.

Photographs courtesy of PCSAR members Jake DeWilde, Elise Lowe, and Jared Stevenson.

Backcountry Readiness Series: Wilderness Adventure Essentials- February 2025

On February 8, 2025, local residents braved the winter weather to participate in the first community training session facilitated by PCSAR members. PCSAR members Gigi Budd, Dr. Aaron Billin, Mike Guy, and George Dillman instructed session attendees about the “Ten Essentials” suggested for embarking on any type of wilderness activity. The session also included the recommended items for cold weather/hypothermia, warm weather, and medical/first aid scenarios. The event was sponsored by the Park Co. Search & Rescue Foundation and Black Hills Energy. We are grateful for the community support and attendance and look forward to the next session. Stay tuned!

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Training- January 2025

In mid-January 2025, several volunteer members of PCSAR attended a Wilderness First Responder training course with members of South Big Horn County Search and Rescue. The course was presented by Wounded Bear Medicine from Wilson, Wyoming. The course provides essential training in wilderness medicine, leadership, and critical thinking for professionals and leaders working and traveling in outdoor, low-resource, and remote environments. The WFR curriculum is both comprehensive and practical and involves a minimum of 70 hours of instruction when taught in the United States (hours vary slightly in other countries). During the course, students learn the essential principles and skills required to assess and manage medical problems in isolated and extreme environments for days and weeks if necessary (woundedbearmed.com). *Please note that the patients photographed in the field training exercises are not actual patients. These individuals are trained PCSAR volunteer members acting in different scenarios for the purpose of instruction and training.

Heat-Seeking Infrared Scopes

Each year, the volunteer members of Park County Search & Rescue determine what additional equipment would increase the quality and safety of each mission. Recently, the Park County Search & Rescue Foundation was able to purchase two heat-seeking infrared (thermal) scopes for PCSAR members to utilize in future missions. These infrared scopes allow PCSAR members to detect and visualize heat emitted by objects in low-light, darkness, dense, and obscured environments.

Big Horn Cavern Cave Training- October 2024

Several Members of Park County Search & Rescue participated in the Big Horn Cavern Cave Training hosted by the members of Big Horn County Search and Rescue. The training was well attended by other SAR team volunteers from across Wyoming.

High Angle Rope Training

An essential role of the Foundation is to provide funding for training, through which Search and Rescue volunteers are able to attend world class training. This particular training was held last summer in Salt Lake City at the world famous Petzl facility.

The session was taught by members of Peak Rescue in association with Rich Delaney of Ropelab International. Our volunteers joined others from across the country for five days of full immersion into the art of lightweight backcountry rope rescue.

As a result of trainings such as this, efficiency, professionalism, and success are enhanced during a real rescue.

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