Paramedic sees them as remote transport

BLAIRSVILLE (AP)-Fire fighters who hike to remote wooded areas hauling 50 pounds of gear may arrive too tired to effectively fight the blaze, the chief of a Westmoreland County volunteer fire department said.

An Indiana County Paramedic says there is a better way.

Jack Edmundson of Blairsville wants to create a volunteer unit of all-terrain vehicle drivers to get paramedics and firefighters where they need to be with energy left.

Andy Staschak, chief of the Eastern Derry Township Volunteer fire department, about 37 miles east of Pittsburgh, said such an ATV unit could be invaluable both for fighting fires and with search and rescues in remote area.

Staschak helped battle a forest fire in the Laurel Mountains in May that was so remote firefighters had to carry in water.

"If you have to walk in, you’re almost too worn out by carrying your gear to fight the fire," Staschak said.

Source-/The Morning Call 9/12/00 /B-9
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My friend who is in the guard is fighting fires in eastern Oregon and they have to hike miles along roads that were once open, the forest service will NOT re-open the road we once drove in. It makes them so mad that they have to hike 10 miles along a road that he once drove his dodge on. No wonder the west is burning up, cant get anyone in to fight them