Huntington County Police Rescue
Huntington, IN.

Rescue 1

The Huntington County Police Rescue Squad, unlike most rescue squads,
has operated the county wide rescue unit as part of the Huntington
County Police Department since it was formed in 1972. Former Sheriff
LeMoine Drabenstot had the insight to detect the need for rescue
extrication in Huntington County and strongly influenced its formation.

The purpose of the rescue squad is to provide specially trained and
equipped personnel who can effectively free trapped victims from
automobile crashes and industrial, agricultural, and construction
accidents. The squad also responds to natural or man-made disasters.
All this is done as quickly and effectively as possible.

Although the Huntington County Police Department operates the rescue
unit, they have not funded it by governmental tax dollars. Over the
years, generous donations from service groups, businesses and private
individuals have supported the rescue unit. They see and understand
the need for rescue services that we provide.

The Huntington County Police Rescue Squad consists of ten dedicated
volunteers who give their time and talent to help the citizens of
Huntington County, and those individuals who might be traveling through
it. Our rescue unit has a variety of people that have been trained in
various levels of medical training. These levels range from EMT to
Paramedic and Nurse. Most of the squad members are Reserve Police
Officers with the Huntington County Police Reserve. The remainder of the
personnel are volunteer firefighters from surrounding departments in the
county. we have trained all of our personnel in the use of Hurst
"Jaws of Life" rescue tools. Hurst is the tool we chose because of its
dependability and durability.
When available, we send members of the unit to special technical
training schools. They design these schools to update and train our
members on the newest techniques and equipment available to departments.
These members bring back the information and techniques that they learn
to our department for evaluation and use by the other members our
rescue unit.
Several of our members have been involved with the rescue unit since
its inception and have passed on years of experience to new members.
Our squad trains monthly at a local auto salvage yard which donates a
variety of vehicles for us to use. We use these vehicles to hone our
skills and to practice new techniques, which we have either seen, heard
or read about in extrication magazines. We also have members that are
trained in confined space rescue and rope rescue. The individuals that
make up the rescue squad are all civilian personnel that have full time
employment outside the department. With all members being "ON CALL"
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, some employers are unable
to let their people go when the pager sounds off. On average, we have
about 3-4 members available to respond during normal daytime working
hours.
Our equipment consists of the basic hand tools which are supplemented
by Hurst "Jaws of Life" rescue equipment. Both electric and gasoline
power units power our Hurst tools to provide hydraulic power to our
spreaders, cutters and rams. We have also equipped our truck with air
bags, reciprocating saws, chains, come-a-longs, and a generator to
provide power for our electric tools and lights. Additional equipment
includes rope rescue gear to include 200' ropes, harnesses, locking
rings and straps. all the necessary equipment to execute a successful
rope rescue.
All emergencies received are dispatched by the Huntington County Police
Department. When we are dispatched, EMS, first responders, and fire
departments for the area in which the incident occurs are dispatched also.
Since we have no fire fighting capabilities on our truck, it is imperative
that the fire departments respond. Currently, there are two fire
departments in the county that are equipped with "basic" extrication
equipment. However, we are the primary response unit in Huntington
County and we are dispatched to the scene of all emergencies involving
an extrication. On the average, we are called upon 3-4 time a month.
This is largely due to the highways and interstate that pass through
our county.
The service that we provide is very important to Huntington County.
We have helped save many lives with our services since this unit was
formed and we are dedicated to continue to provide this service to
Huntington County.