Re: Short-Haul Operation Employed In Marijuana Site Cleanup (SEKI)

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Short-Haul Operation Employed In Marijuana Site Cleanup

A three-day-long short-haul operation was conducted last month to rehabilitate a marijuana plantation that was discovered and eradicated several years ago. Though short-haul is a method often used by the NPS during search and rescue operations, this was the first time it was used for a law enforcement operation. Park protection rangers were short-hauled to an area near the remote site so that they could safely approach it. When they determined that it was unoccupied, they removed infrastructure and cleaned up the area. About a mile of hose, 637 pounds of trash, and several pounds of hazardous materials were removed. This is one of the more remote sites found in the park. In the past, rangers who hiked into the site were limited by travel time and physical fatigue in conducting efficient cleanup missions. Without the use of short-haul to insert the team, this operation could have taken more than twice as long to complete, exposing employees to a variety of hazards. “Bronco,” the parks’ K-9 patrol dog, and his handler were among the first to be lifted to the site in order to assure ranger safety. The park has been authorized to use short-haul for marijuana eradication operations since 2007. To use short-haul for a marijuana mission, the park has to weigh all the risk factors to see if it justified. This was the first mission to meet those criteria. The park worked closely with regional and national aviation managers to ensure that the mission was properly conducted. The process worked extremely well. The lessons learned from this mission will be considered in the planning of future missions to improve safety, efficiency and effectiveness. The hope is that when a site is rehabilitated, growers will choose to not reoccupy the area.

eeek,

For the terminology impared, what exactly is a short haul as used in this environment?

Jim

All I know is what it says in the posting.

Short-Hauling troops is to move them short distances by mechanical means (usually helicopter) Perhaps it means the same for the rangers.

B

Bee wrote:

> Short-Hauling troops is to move them short distances by
> mechanical means (usually helicopter) Perhaps it means the same
> for the rangers.

It certainly would for Army rangers.

eeek: It certainly would for Army rangers.

Is there an emoticom thingy to depict the rolling of one's eyes???????

B

Bee wrote:

> Is there an emoticom thingy to depict the rolling of one's
> eyes???????

I've always understood the short haul to mean they travel the distance hanging from the cable; no landings or hoisting into the helicopter involved. Whenever I've seen a rescue described as a short haul, that's what it was. The helicopter hovers, they clip on, are lifted and carried the distance, then hover again so they can unclip from the cable...usually at Ahwahnee meadow for valley area rescues.

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Gary
Yosemite Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse/yo

Short-Haul is an emergency rescue tool designed to quickly retrieve an individual out of a dangerous situation and place them in a safe location. Short-Haul involves a rescuer being lowered on a rope from a hovering helicopter to the victim below. After the rescuer rigs a harness to the victim, or, if injuries warrant, places the victim in a stokes basket, the helicopter then lifts both to safety a short distance away.

Shorts-Haul is what you call it when you carry an extra set of skivvies.



Post Edited (04-09-09 21:44)

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Old Dude