You can import your own photos or other graphics to your page with the Imported Image Element.
Tower Rescue
Maintance
Training
Photos
Equipment
History of S.I.T.R.T.
The death of 6 year old BJ William Venden Boom spurred Paramedic Vickie Nelson to organize a group of volunteers that is now called Southern Iowa Technical Rescue Team. This young boy died after being sumerged in an 20 foot deep abandoned well, which contained 8-10 feet of water. EMS personnel on scene was unable to retrive the boy. Ottumwa scuba diver Davie Frymoyer pulled the unconscious boy out of the well. Vicki realized that a rescue team with such skills was needed in our area for such emergencies. We heard a lot of comments about our idea, some good, but mostlly... When will we ever need to have a high angle rescue or a water rescue ? Well....... read on. The orginal group included Vickie Nelson, Brian Bennett, Steve West, paramedics for Ottumwa Regional Mobile Intensive Care Services (ORMICS) and Greg Francisco, Police Officer for Ottumwa Police Dept. (OPD).
It sounded like fun, like something they needed to do, to better their skills, but they had no idea what they were gettin themselves into when they signed up for a Illinois Rope Rescue Training class in 1990. After all, Chicago's a nice place to visit: isn't it? So they placed their vacation requests with their supervisor and headed off for the week-long course. This was how SITRT was started. Since then the group has 2 new members, Brent Cook and Dave Thomas, both OPD officers.
To further their knowledge, the Rescue Team then attended four days of River Rescue Schooling in Cedar Rapids, Ia. in June of 1993--just before the July flooding hit us--GREAT TIMING-- The team stresses that their emphasis for existence is to arrive on scene immediately after the accident. We are hopeful to be there for the rescue not a body recovery. The group also seen other areas that needed to be improved for unusual rescues also. The SITRT also took an Ice Rescue Class in Clear Lake in Jan. of 94. Although the team did receive some equipment and tuition reimbursement from ORHC and the Wapello County Emergency Medical Services Association, the majority of the equipment and training expense have bee privately paid by the teams's members for the first 3 year. We saw a need for additional equipment needed and approached different organizations for donations. a $7000.00 donation from the Ottumwa Service League in March enabled the team to purchase a 13 foot inflatable boat and trailer, life preserver, ropes, knives and whistles and strobe lights. The Ottumwa Rotary Club donated $2000.00 and the Ottumwa Police Association donated $1500.00. This money funded the purchase of three ice suits, costing $500.00 apeice, and other basic equipment.
Water Tower Rescue Oct 10, 2000
Southern Ia Techinical Rescue Team Member Greg Francisco, left is "rescued" by fellow team members Steve West, and Brian Bennett during a practice session
Rescuers Steve West, left and Greg Francisco, right, handle "victim" Brian Bennett as the SITRT practiced ice rescues with WCRFD at the Izaak Walton League Lake east of Ottumwa.
SITRT members tow Thomas Baltzley and Andrew Baird to the river bank after the boat became trapped in the swirling water below the Ottumwa Hydro dam. Authorities feared the two men risked hypothemia if the boat capsized. Rescued from Des Moines River
newspaper picture.
newspaper picture.
newpaper picture.
RESCUE TEAM:
SITRT was trained to perform water rescue operations just in time for one of the largest floods of the century. From left to right Brian Bennett, Steve West, Vicki Nelson, and Greg Francisco. 1993
newspaper picture
newpaper picture
The Ottumwa Service League donated $7000. to purchase a boat and other equipment for the Southern Iowa Technical Rescue Team, From left are Michelle Sipe, outgoing league president, and members of the rescue team, Vicki Nelson, Steve West, Dave Thomas, Greg Francisco, Brian Bennett and Brent Cook.
UPDATE MAR.2001
Only three SITRT members remain. They are Vicki Nelson, (although Vicki has moved and accepted another job in Cedar Rapids. she is often in the Ottumwa area.) Paramedic Specialist Brian Bennett, and Steve West.remain at ORHC.
Other team members Greg Francisco, David Thomas, and Brent Cook are now police officers in Fairfield, Ia. and are availble if needed.
Visit our other Web Site at.... http://sitrtrescue.homestead.com/TowerRescue.html
photo by Vicki Nelson Taken after a long day of practice in Cedar Rapids Water Rescue Class. 1993
Steve West
Greg Francisco
newspaper picture
During the flood of 1993 this 500 gal gas tank was caught by SITRT and placed onto the shore for safety.
