Regarding efforts to help: this mission. As a rule rescuers are deployed based on the planning done by the overall incident commander. In this particular case the Pierce County Sheriff (overall IC) had initially only a small contingent from Tacoma Mountain Rescue (TMRU) and the Crystal Ski Patrol. Each with it's own operations leader/incident commander, supporting the overall IC. Since the search area(s) were in close proximity to Crystal proper a few other non patrollers joined in. They were informally cleared by the ski patrol (known personally), but obviously were advanced back-country skiers very familiar with the area. In later days their help was further appreciated. I helped on two days, I am a TMRU member. Mountain Rescue can always use more help. You never know how in depth a mission will be. Advanced BC skiers were needed and were used. I think a forward thinking IC would use highly skilled resources thoughtfully wherever they came from: easier said then done, and it would certainly depend on the case. Sometimes people just want to help, and that might not be helpful. A lot goes on. If you are interested in how complicated it can get look up FEMA courses ICS 100, 200 and 700. In addition to any others skills needed and used by mountain rescue these courses are required by WA DEM to be a member of a mountain rescue unit. Tacoma, Everett, Seattle, Bellingham and other mountain rescue units can all use more help. Consider this reply just a nutshell covering the basics of the big picture. The local sheriff has jurisdiction so if anyone wants to help in a certain case and you are not on scene, that's who you call. If you show up at the IC or it's boundaries I am sure some knowledgeable person will talk to you.
Bob Coleman
