Members of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, Glade Township Fire Department and Pleasant Township Fire Department participated in the event on Saturday, which focused on coordination between the agencies and improving response times for emergencies on the trails.

Terry Gregerson of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department said the purpose of the Safety Day was to help responders identify challenges they could face during rescues and strengthen cooperation among departments.

“Safety Day was really about seeing what problems we could run into in the area and learning how we can improve them,” Gregerson said during the training. “Those that are here today helping and learning are the ones who will show up in a real emergency.”

According to Gregerson, when there was previously an emergency at Jakes Rocks, only one fire department would be informed. This could cause response time to take much longer due to lack of volunteers at all three fire departments. Gregerson shared that is working with emergency operators to ensure all three departments will be dispatched to incidents at Jakes Rocks. While Pleasant Township firefighters may have the shortest estimated response time at about 50 minutes, the trail system remains within Clarendon’s jurisdiction.

Times Observer photos by Delaney Chase First-responders prepare the rope system to pull rescue dummy “Kyle” up the steep terrain

The event included a hands-on rescue exercise, where first responders worked together to evacuate a dummy nicknamed “Kyle,” which was created using old fire hoses. Responders practiced removing the dummy from steep terrain using a pulley system before transporting it back to the emergency vehicles.

The last large-scale training exercise at Jakes Rocks was held roughly 10 years ago. Gregerson said they are now planning additional sessions over the summer, including a full-day exercise on more difficult sections of the trail system.

The goal, Gregerson said, is to build on lessons learned from each session and continue improving rescue operations in the future.

Jakes Rocks is considered unique compared to many other trail systems because of its natural terrain, extensive mileage and distance from emergency services. That combination can make rescues difficult and time-consuming.

Trail users are encouraged to make sure they are fully prepared before entering the area. Gregerson’s advice for anyone who will be utilizing the trails for either hiking or biking included knowing their location, the trail they are on and how long they have been on the trail. He also noted that 911 operators can often ping a caller’s cellphone location, but accurate information from the caller can speed up rescue efforts.

A group of first-responders help lead the Stokes basket carrying rescue dummy “Kyle”back up to the trail.

Visitors were also urged to know their physical limitations before attempting more difficult trails.

To improve communication and trail safety, users can report issues through the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry website’s Jakes Rocks page or by scanning the QR codes located at trail kiosks. Trails at Jakes Rocks leaders also recommended the Avenza Maps mobile app, which can help users identify their coordinates and report obstacles or hazards along the trail system.

Gregerson said he hopes Safety Day will become an annual event as agencies continue building partnerships and improving search-and-rescue readiness at Jakes Rocks.

After successfully leading the Stokes basket back onto the trail, first responders prepare to load “Kyle” onto the Argo vehicle to be transported back to the emergency vehicles.