On July 16, 2022, at 4:24 p.m., Gallatin County dispatch received a call from a Park County Sheriff’s Office deputy seeking assistance from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue for a rescue on Emigrant Peak.  The patient was in a group of hikers that were 800’ from the summit of Emigrant Peak.  The patient was having respiratory issues with heat-related complications.  The other hikers were unsuccessful in trying to descend with the patient and needed professional assistance.   Due to the medical condition, and the time it would take to perform a ground-based rescue, it was determined a short haul would be the most expedient means of getting the patient to a higher level of care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Heli Team and Comms Team volunteers, along with a Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputy, responded to the call. The Comms Team and GCSO deputy provided mission support and liaised with Park County.  The Heli Team deployed from Gallatin County to a landing zone near Emigrant Peak staffed with a Park County Sheriff’s Office deputy and Livingston Fire and Rescue personnel.  After a reconnaissance flight, the team located the patient and was lowered to perform a medical assessment.  The team stabilized and packaged the patient and then short hauled them to the landing zone.  The patient was turned over to awaiting medical personnel.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to recognize the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Park County deputies, and medical responders that assisted in this mission.  Through teamwork and clear communication, teams from two different counties were able to work together to provide aid to a citizen in need.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.