10/07/2026
Armstrong 911: Station 210, Citizens 31, QRS 30, and IPR 88 respond to a physical rescue involving a hunter who fell from their treestand and now is suspended 15' to 20' in a tree. Caller is stating that the individual is unconscious and that they will meet you at the trailhead to es**rt you in. Caller is also stating that the individual is located between 500 to 600 yards from the main access.
Chief 210: Please dispatch Station 30 for an additional rescue, utv, and man power. Please dispatch Station 60 for rope rescue and also please notify the Pennsylvania Game Commission of the situation.
Armstrong 911: Chief 210 that's recieved.
Citizens Medic 10: Medic 10 enroute. Please check availability of a helicopter.
Armstrong 911: Medic 10 that's recieved.
Chief 210: Rescue 210, Engine 210, and UTV 210 enroute.
Chief 30: Engine/Rescue 30, Attack 31, and UTV 30 enroute.
QRS 30: QRS 30 enroute.
Chief 60: Rescue 60 enroute
Armstrong 911: All units responding that's recieved.
This time of the year is exciting for many hunters as whitetail deer season fires up with archery season starting first on October 3rd. Many of us wait with hope for that late evening call from a hunting buddy or family member, letting you know that they have harvested a deer and need help recovering it!!! To a sportsman, that is one of the greatest feelings in the world!!
As a first responder, when the tones hit this time of year, during that same time frame in the evening, there is a probability that we could be responding to an incident involving a hunter in distress.
Just like a sportsman who prepares for the hunting seasons ahead, we train for the possibilities that may come from those same seasons!! Monday night was one of those preparation trainings!!
The Rural Valley Fire Department and Dayton District Volunteer Fire Company responded to a mock hunting incident involving a hunter who had fallen from their treestand while hunting. This type of rescue is very complex and has many factors that have to be taken into consideration. Is the individual hanging conscious or unconscious? What equipment do we need for the rescue? How to access the scene? How to get the person down? Last but not least, how to safely get the patient back out of the woods? As a fire department we want to train with the best equipment, resources available, and the most knowledgeable professionals you can to guarantee a safe and successful outcome for everyone!! Monday night was no different! Anytime there is a rope rescue incident in Armstrong County, West Hills Emergency Services Station 60 and Chief Matt Kutch are the true professionals! Some say Matt's first toys as a young child was a rope bag and a piece of webbing?? Lol. Chief Kutch is the best in the business and is a PA state certified instructor to prove it!! The three departments worked through this unique drill from start to finish! We covered many scenarios from lowering the individual from the tree conscious and unconscious, proper packaging of the patient, and to properly extracting the patient from the woods using a rope system to navigate an incline all while strengthening the bonds of our fire departments!!
The RVFD would like to give a huge shout out to West Hills Station 60 and Chief Matt Kutch for coming out and participating with us!! Your department is a huge asset not only to us, but to Armstrong County and the surrounding areas!! We greatly appreciate your expertise and guidance!!!
We also want to give a sincere shout out to Dayton Station 30 and Chief Austin Brocious for coming down and preparing with us!! It's always great to train with your department to strengthen not only our bonds but to provide the best possible service we can to each of our communities who count on us in their time of need!!! Thank you!!
A special thank you to RVFD Asst Chief/Paramedic Greg Hasley and RVFD Firefighter Michael Gulish for putting together this awesome drill! Thank you!! Also thank you to DDVFD Firefighter/Paramedic Brianna Keener for taking all the great photos from this eventful evening!! Thank you!!
As a fire department we always use the best equipment, training, and resources we can to get the job done. Being a sportsman is no different!! Your equipment should always be in good shape and work properly. You should train and familiarize yourself with the equipment you have before using it and you should always educate yourself on proper techniques pertaining to the activities you are going to engage in. Accidents will happen and that's a fact!! How you prepare for them will determine whether you will be participating during the next first day of hunting season or not! Please share your hunting locations with your family members and send pins to your hunting buddies before you go to the field. Discuss meeting times for when someone should expect you back home or to a specific meeting location after the hunt. Please make sure to USE and PROPERLY WEAR a hunter safety system while hunting in elevated treestands!! Thank you for your support and please help spread the word!! Good luck to all the hunters out there and we wish you a safe and successful season!!! Enjoy the awesome pictures!!
