Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) has just released its midseason report documenting the scope of its operations from December 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. The report details the 46 rescue operations in which the organization was involved in the first half of the year, which varied in scope from 15-hour helicopter missions to standing by to assist other emergency services in the area.
The report paints a picture of an average season for Search and Rescue volunteers, with a smaller winter peak than either of the previous two years. What has changed this year, however, is TCSAR’s acquisition of its own rescue helicopter, which landed at its hangar in October 2023. The helicopter was funded by community donations and has allowed TCSAR to expand its aerial operations.
Teton County Search and Rescue’s new helicopter has allowed them to expand their aerial operations, according to their midseason report. (Teton County Search and Rescue)
“Since the ship arrived, it [has been] used 27 times. You know, from the time of its arrival in October until basically June 1. It’s a lot of use, and it just shows that the timing of the arrival was huge because the demand is certainly there,” said Matt Hansen, Communications Director of the TCSAR Foundation.
In previous years, TCSAR leased a helicopter for the winter months, when demand was highest, and had to request access to one from Teton Interagency Helitack (TIH) during the summer. This meant that access to air support was often unpredictable, as TIH’s helicopter was sometimes used for other purposes, such as fighting wildfires.
“So now this summer, which is amazing, we have an on-call rescue helicopter sitting up at the hangar, ready to go at a moment’s notice when it’s needed. And that is a game changer for our community. And we are already seeing the successes of that,” said Hansen.
The helicopter has been used 27 times since October, compared to 22 uses in the previous winter season. That comparative use is expected to be even higher for the rest of the 2024 season, given that TCSAR hasn’t historically had access to a helicopter full-time during the summer and fall.
According to Hansen, “The demand for a rescue helicopter has just gone up every year. And we can point to the fact that backcountry culture is expanding. There’s more people recreating and there’s more people recreating in very distant, remote areas of Teton County.”
Skiers and snowboarders continue to be the highest-risk group for needing rescues, the report said. (Joey Sackett)
The report also confirmed the fact that skiers and snowboarders continue to be the highest-risk group when it comes to needing rescue.
“Skiers and snowboarders continue to be the most frequently rescued group out of all categories throughout the year. And that’s something that, as you know, skiers and snowboarders need to recognize that they are at risk more than anything else of needing to be rescued,” said Hansen.
Moving into the second half of the year, Hansen encouraged recreators to exercise safe decision-making and to especially prioritize safe practices in and around rivers, such as wearing life jackets.
You can read the full report on the Teton County Search and Rescue reports page.
