The Search for a "Missing" Equestrian

The evening of Saturday, July 13, I received the call to assist in the search for a missing woman riding a horse in the Deep Creek area of Apple Valley/Victorville. Wrightwood SAR was working the search through the night, and they needed relief for managing the search the following day. We arrived Sunday morning to find the night shift in an organized command post, tired, a bit frustrated, and ready for a break. Also, we found a stack of plans written, and waiting for personnel assignments. HOORAY! All of you search managers out there take note. If your event is planned for an additional operational period, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE write plans for the next OP. Don't leave this to the relief management team. If plans are not written ahead of time, it delays getting teams into the field. Begin planning the next OP sooner rather than later. Once teams are deployed, it is time to begin assessing your deficiencies and thinking about the next OP.

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In our initial briefing, the source of much of the previous shift's frustration became quite apparent. They had a few "confirmed" sightings of the missing person in wildly different locations. This required them to devote limited resources all over the place. Compound this with the fact that the missing person was riding a horse, conflicting, and delayed, information from the reporting parties, and you have a search area half the size of Orange County.

During operational period 1, search managers were confident in their containment of the area north of the initial planning point with the exception of a couple of areas, so for operational period 2, our goals were to contain the PCT east and west from that location, search the remaining areas north of the IPP, and cover additional areas with sufficient POA. At our disposal were OHV, ground, technical, mounted, canine, and air resources

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Missing Woman in Big Bear

The Big Bear Sheriff’s Station is requesting assistance from the public to be on the lookout for missing person Karen Dalman. Dalman was last seen at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Early on Tuesday morning, Dalman and a friend, 56-year-old Bruce Jackson, drove to the area of Crystal Mountain near the Eye of God on 2N02 for a day-hike with Jackson’s dog, described as a white pitbull with dark stripes and a white and black face. Dalman and Jackson were separated after the dog got away and was running in the area. Shortly before 7:00 a.m. today, Jackson reported Dalman missing, stating he had been lost in the area since Tuesday after not being able to find the dog. Jackson reported that he had made his way back to the vehicle this morning and returned to his home in Erwin Lake, but was unable to locate Dalman. Medical aid was called to Jackson’s residence where he was treated for dehydration.

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Griffith Search (12/13/2009-12/14/2009)

David Griffith was last seen at 1500 hours near the summit of Mt. Baldy. A hiking partner took a short break to take an extra clothing layer out of his pack, while Mr. Griffith continued down the trail with plans to return via the Sierra Club Hut. The partner finished the hike without finding Mr. Griffith.

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West Valley SAR was called the evening of December 13 to begin the search. Additional winter/alpine certified searchers were requested later that evening with teams spending the night out searching. On the morning of December 14, Sheriff's Aviation and a SAR member with a spotting scope located Mr. Griffith on the side of Goode Canyon. He was hoisted by the air crew and returned safely to Cow Canyon Saddle. Members from West Valley SAR, San Gorgonio SAR, SB Mountain SAR, Bear Valley SAR, the Cave & Technical Rescue Team, Victor Valley SAR, and Wrightwood SAR participated in the mission.

Red Dog Mine Nov 14, 2009

Approximately five years ago, April Pitzer boarded a bus headed home. She was never heard from again. A recent lead indicated that Red Dog Mine, south of Ludlow, CA would be a good place to search. The mine had been searched previously by Barstow Desert Rescue Squad, so this time the dog team was called to assist. The Barstow DRS and Cave Team worked together getting the dogs into the main shaft, while Kern and Los Angeles Counties worked on nearby shafts. Before the end of the day, the mine and two nearby shafts were thoroughly searched by humans and dogs. No remains were found.

This mission was especially interesting in that the dogs and handlers were inserted into the mine on rope. The video above illustrates the process, and the terrific training of the dogs. Toward the end of the mission,  on his way out, Matt Truitt, of the Cave Team, located an additional tunnel that had not been previously mentioned. The mine owner was on hand, and he wasn't aware of a fourth level. The maps that we had on scene only showed three levels. Matt and James, a member of the mine team, carefully searched this additional level.

Meanwhile above ground, a call was received indicating that human bones were found near Kelbaker road, so the Dog Team and Barstow DRS were released to search that site. Before exiting the mine, members of the Cave Team performed a line survey of the mine.

40-K Locates and Extracts Lost Hiker

This evening, RIM SAR responded to a call for a search for a lost hiker near The Pinnacles northwest of Lake Arrowhead. At first, it was thought to be too windy for 40-K to fly, but while 15 members of the team were enroute, the hiker was found and extracted by the helicopter.

On Track in Cucamonga Canyon

The callout for a search for a missing hiker in the Mt. Baldy area came in around 1900, just as we were beginning classroom training on Map & Compass. Everyone packed up and left the station, most to head home for their equipment and return for the rigs. All three vehicles departed the station around 2000 with 5 members. Other members were in route from Station 12, and several were responding POV. Staging was established at Baldy Fire.

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Lost Off-Road Biker, Murray Carver, Lytle Creek, CA

Coroner case 700903045 VN: On Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at about 10:00 AM, 49 year Rancho Cucamonga resident Murray E. Carver left his home ride his motorcycle in the hills north of town. When he did not return that afternoon searches were initiated along the trails he was known to ride. The following day (Thursday, May 7th) at about 11:00 AM, Sheriff Aviation located Carver’s body along a winding trail approximately 3.5 miles north of Chaffey College. An examination will be conducted early next week to attempt to determine the cause of Carver’s death. [05/07/09 1915 VN]

Wednesday started out like any other work day - up at 0500 hours to shower, feed and put the dogs out, grab breakfast, and hit the road for the office. Likewise, the end of my day seemed just like many others - off work at 1600 hours, home to pack up my search dog for a training, and back home about 2045 hours. By then, though, the pager and cell phone were calling me! Deputy Falce was on the phone asking if I was available to join others on the team for a search in the Lytle Creek area. Of course I said “yes”!

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The Search for Amber DuBois

Amber Dubois has been missing for 30 days. San Bernardino County SAR was called to assist in the search of an area in Escondido near Mesa Rock Rd and Woodland Heights Rd. In addition to covering our area, we were also called to check a storm drain without a grating. Members of West Valley SAR helped us pull the manhole cover.

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Evidence Search off Hwy 330

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Approximately 13 Type 1 rope personnel were involved in an evidence search as part of a homicide investigation off Hwy 330 on Friday, February 20.

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Daniel Travesio Found After Cold Night Out

It all started with a bum shoulder. Ironically the shoulder was injured during a grueling litter carry in January when a hiker fell and injured his ankle above the Sierra Hut on Baldy. My injured shoulder, and the voice of my physical therapist telling me to lay off carrying a pack for a while, kept me out of the field on Saturday and in the command post. My compatriots in West Valley SAR are excellent search managers, so I don't mind command post duty with them, but I do prefer to be in the field. If you've ever worked in the command post, and I mean work, not just sitting around drinking coffee and jawing about whatever, then you know that the work load is completely out of phase with work in the field. The operational period begins with a frantic assembly of team assignments and filling out the appropriate paperwork all while coordinating team transportation with the intent of getting people in the field quickly. For those going into the field, the wait can be maddening, but it does provide a bit of time to sort gear and prepare for the assignment at hand.

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