Lafayette Twp. Vol. Fire/Rescue Department

Last evening at 1923hrs Station 21 Lafayette Township Volunteer Fire Rescue Department along with Station 26 Ludlow Volunteer Fire Department, Pennsylvania State Police were dispatched to the area of Rim Rock and Morrison Trail Head in the Allegheny National Forest for a search detail of 2 lost hikers.

In coordination with the McKean DES 911 Dispatchers, use of the new CAD system along with Crew Force, the dispatchers were able to use the location of the lost hikers in relation to location of emergency personnel to coordinate ease of access to get the hikers out of the woods. The dispatchers did an outstanding job which allowed for a quicker rescue of these hikers from the woods.

This was also the first time using the new digital radio system, which was implemented by McKean County DES in this specific region of the county for a call. Personnel were able to coordinate with 911, as well as staged personnel several miles away from where the individuals were located clearly. In the past, the old radio system would have required personnel to be set up to act as relays to stagging and to county dispatch from deep in these valleys.

The lost hikers were able to be guided out of the woods safely and to awaiting personnel with the aide of 911 dispatchers and personnel on the ground with no injuries at 2216hrs. All personel were clear of the incident at 2300hrs