Filling the void in the sky

A nonprofit organization made up of local emergency-response personnel has formed to ensure the Flathead has a dedicated aircraft lined up for search and rescue operations.

Founding supporters for Flathead Emergency Aviation Resources (FEAR) include the Flathead County Sheriff's Office and Jim Pierce, a pilot with Red Eagle Aviation.

The group's mission is to provide aircraft for cases of missing hikers, children or hunters, avalanche response, train derailments, water rescues, high-speed vehicle pursuits, walk-away Alzheimer's patients, body recoveries and other missions.

"The benefits of aviation fit naturally with emergency response," FEAR president and Flathead County Undersheriff Jordan White said. "Reducing exposure equates to less risk for victims and rescuers, and saving time means less impact on budgets or time spent away from loved ones."

According to White, FEAR existed informally since 2008 as a way to share skills, experience and resources for aerial safety operations. Costs and availability has hampered the sheriff's office's ability to utilize aircraft, but the group hopes to change all that.

"We provide trained and qualified pilots and crew members specific to the type of flight operations we are requested to conduct," White said. "The aircraft we fly, which include helicopters and airplanes, are either owned by members or leased on an hourly basis."

Kalispell Regional Medical Center's ALERT program has been used for emergency response in the past, but the program has only one helicopter, it's packed with medical equipment, and the ALERT helicopter is sometimes off on a mission. The ALERT program had a backup helicopter, but the volunteer pilot sold the craft.

It was in 2008 that White began training as a fixed-wing aircraft pilot. He now has his license and owns two planes. He's also training to fly helicopters. About the same time, White began working with Pierce about using Red Eagle Aviation's helicopter for rescue operations. The FEAR program grew slowly through the current economic recession to its present organization.

White estimates the FEAR program will cost about $100,000 per year, including $50,000 for 100 helicopter hours, $10,000 for 100 fixed-wing aircraft hours, and $40,000 for recurring training and public education costs.

The organization also wants to purchase night-vision equipment, flight suits and helmets, and a nylon long line. In the long-term, FEAR wants to raise $500,000 for a dedicated helicopter and $300,000 for a thermal camera system.

For more information on FEAR, visit online at www.embracefear.com, e-mail mail@embracefear.com, or write to Flathead Emergency Aviation Resources, P.O. Box 2694, Kalispell MT 59903.