Growing up in the shadow of the Tetons has impressed upon Teton High School Seniors the importance of a quick, experienced, and well-prepared response team should things go awry in the mountains. In light of their concern for Teton County’s growing population using the backcountry via horseback, four-wheelers, skis, and snowmobiles, Youth Philanthropy students awarded Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue $620 in grant funds to update some of their field equipment used by rescue teams during search missions.
With the increased use of the backcountry, there is inevitably an increased need for Search and Rescue. This grant awarded funding specifically for two Jet Boil Flash cooking systems and two backcountry rescue sleds. Currently, the Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue has no cooking system and a singular rescue sled that is outdated and difficult to transport. Students recognized the benefit to the community for faster, safer and more efficient rescues for lost or injured residents, as well as visiting guests.
This grant will allow teams to boil water in under two minutes in a self-contained cooking system. It can be easily added to any field rescue to provide hot water for dehydrated meals or hot drinks – providing essential safety and well-being for rescue team members and subjects. Secondly, the new sleds are under 2lbs and small enough to be carried in a backpack. With two of each of these products, Search and Rescue is able to send multiple, prepared teams into the field during each phase of a search, and our community can rest easy that we’re in good hands if something goes amiss in the backcountry.
