Ottawa, IL. Corps provides hydration and nutrition services for joint law-enforcement search and rescue
About a week ago Major Quentin Boyle of Ottawa, IL. Corps was contacted by EMA Director Connie Brooks to provide hydration/nutrition services for a joint law-enforcement search and rescue training exercise in Serena, IL. to be held on Sunday August 3.
Upon arrival Sunday morning, TSA personal were told the event was a real incident not a training exercise.
The following news release was issued:
"Police to search 26-acre area in Sheridan on Sunday for investigation
The Illinois State Police, Dwight Police, Morris Police, fire departments from MABAS Divisions 15 & 25 and the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a large-scale ground search beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday in the Village of Sheridan, according to a state police news release. The purpose of the search is to locate any evidence that may assist in the Denker homicide investigation and the recent burglaries in Grundy County.
Law enforcement and fire officials want to alert the residents and local communities about the ground activity and first responder presence in the area. The 26-acre site is not being disclosed for security reasons, and the search area will be cordoned off with an established perimeter to ensure the area is restricted to law enforcement and fire personnel only.
It is expected that the ground search will last for approximately five hours. More than 100 law enforcement and fire personnel are expected to work in the area."
The temp was high 80's with high humidity. The Heartland Division was able to provide an air-conditioned Brutus ATV donated by Polaris. A canine bomb squad unit was able to continue critical search operations with the assistance of the ATV vehicle.
The hydration and air-conditioned vehicle proved crucial to a successful operation for personnel wearing heavy equipment with protective covering to repel Mosquitos and working in thick vegetation in punishing weather.
Major Boyle received many compliments from several agencies for the support of the Salvation Army during this day-long incident.
Hydration/nutrition was carefully coordinated by Major Boyle's crew between the command post and a remote command center within the search area.
Major Boyle has established a creditable liaison with the local emergency agencies. This incident has served to raise the image of The Salvation Army as a critical resource to be supported within the LaSalle County area of Illinois.