VIDEO: Wildland fires can break out in the blink of an eye here in KOTA Territory, and one volunteer group is currently completing a specialized training to help ensure firefighters battling blazes are safe in the event of an emergency.
Custer County Search and Rescue is forming a new Rapid Extraction Module Support team, better known as the REMS team, to support local wildland firefighters in remote terrain. The training is rigorous as not only do you have to be a certified wildland firefighter, but also be rope rescue and medical care certified as well.
Custer County Search and Rescue Director Sam Smolnisky says there is a great need for a REMS team in the Custer area and is glad they can help bridge the gap and potentially save lives.
โWeโre on search and rescue because we want to help people,” Smolnisky said. โAnd itโs kind of a no-brainer to help out our men and women that are out there fighting fires, protecting our community. So to have a resource that can go help the heroes that are out there, absolutely.โ
