10/24/2026
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue hosted a Technical Rescue Practical Scenario training day for students from the Radford University at Carilion Emergency Services Degree Program alongside our own department members.
In partnership with Salem Fire EMS, Moneta Volunteer Fire Department, and Stewartsville-Chamblissburg Volunteer Fire Department, participants put key skills into action, including:
-Wilderness navigation and rescue
-Low-angle rope operations
-Fireboat operations
-Drone-based wide-area search and rescue (SAR)
-Wilderness paramedic-level treatment and care
-K-9 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
Participants began the morning with a review of mechanical advantage systems and patient packaging techniques.
We were then extremely fortunate to welcome K-9 Artemis and handler Dan Bryan from the Stewartsville-Chamblissburg Volunteer Fire Department. They presented on K-9 USAR operations, teaching students how search dogs are deployed, safety protocols and behavior around working dogs, and real-world case reviews. K-9 Artemis then put those skills on display, successfully locating hidden classmates among outdoor obstacles.
Following a mid-day lunch break provided by Moneta Volunteer Fire Department —which offered a great opportunity for fellowship and conversation across various emergency services disciplines—the large-scale scenarios kicked off at 1300 hours:
Scenario 1: Wilderness & Waterway Rescue
One team responded to a scenario near Smith Mountain Dam involving a simulated missing fisherman who was last seen the night before. Students used the what3words app to navigate the waterway by fireboat to reach the shoreline near his last known location. As they reached key benchmarks, coordinates led them to the patient, who was trapped under fallen trees with simulated traumatic injuries. Paramedic Instructor Jill VanDoren challenged the students by introducing realistic patient conditions, requiring them to perform proper medical interventions. The team then packaged the patient into a Stokes basket, hauled them using mechanical advantage rigging, and transported them back to the fireboat.
Scenario 2: Drone-Integrated Island Search & Rescue
Conducted in partnership with the Moneta Volunteer Fire Department, this scenario focused on drone-integrated SAR operations. After a briefing on drone capabilities, students applied their training to locate multiple victims stranded on different islands following a major storm. Drones identified points of interest, and using an Incident Command structure, fireboats were deployed to search those areas and recover the victims.
A huge thank-you to all participating departments, instructors, and volunteers. Training events of this scale are only possible through strong multi-agency collaboration and partnership!
