Powell County Search & Rescue

Powell County Search and Rescue mourns the loss of former SAR member Firefighter Nathan Lewis. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and his fellow first responders.

Christopher Nathan Lewis - View Obituary & Service Information Share Memories and Support the Family.

Fall is here in the Red River Gorge — and so is one of our busiest seasons.

As the leaves begin to change and cooler temperatures make for great hiking weather, we’ll see thousands of visitors heading into the Gorge to enjoy everything this area has to offer.
Powell County Search & Rescue wants everyone to have a great trip and make it home safely.

Before heading out, take a few simple precautions:

• Have a plan. Know where you’re going, the trail or route you intend to take, and the approximate distance and difficulty.

• Tell someone your plan. Let a friend or family member know where you’re going, where you parked, and when you expect to return. If your plans change, let them know.

• Carry plenty of water. Cooler temperatures can make it easy to underestimate how much water you need. Bring enough for the entire trip, with some extra in case you're out longer than expected.

• Bring a charged phone. Don't depend on having cell service everywhere in the Gorge. Download an offline map before you leave and consider carrying a backup battery on longer trips.

• Watch your footing. Fallen leaves can hide roots, rocks, holes, and changes in the trail. Wet leaves can also become extremely slick.

• Use extra caution around cliffs and overlooks. Leaf-covered rock, wet sandstone, and loose debris can make cliff edges, overlooks, and steep approaches more treacherous than they appear. Stay back from cliff edges and keep children and pets close.

• Remember that daylight is getting shorter. Give yourself plenty of time to complete your hike before dark. Carrying a headlamp is always a good idea, even if you don't plan to be out after sunset.

The Red River Gorge is an incredible place to explore, especially this time of year. A little preparation before you leave can prevent a great day outdoors from becoming an emergency.
Enjoy the fall colors, have a plan, and come home safe.
Powell County Search & Rescue

Come see us and the rest of the County and State responders this Saturday!

We want to congratulate David McGill on being selected KYEM area manager of the year. David has always gone above and beyond to help our team. His wisdom and guidance over the years has been invaluable in helping our team be what it is. Well deserved!

Our Chief, Jeremy Urekew, met with Marvin Bartlett at the KET studios yesterday to discuss hiking safety in the Red River Gorge!

Check out the KET website to watch the segment and learn more about what we do and how to stay safe while enjoying all the beauty the Gorge has to offer!

TO THE RESCUE: Jeremy Urekew, chief of Powell County Search and Rescue, talks about how to avoid trouble when visiting the popular Red River Gorge, tonight on KET's Kentucky Edition at 6:30 (EST).

We’re proud to share this recent LEX 18 story featuring Powell County Search & Rescue Chief Jeremy Urekew and the growth of technical and aviation rescue capabilities here in Kentucky.

The story highlights a journey that began more than 25 years ago in fire and EMS and eventually helped lead to the development of Kentucky’s first—and currently only—air rescue program, built through key partnerships involving the Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Task Force One, and supporting agencies across the Commonwealth.

But more importantly, this story is about volunteerism.

Powell County Search & Rescue is made up of people who give their time to train, respond, and serve when someone is having one of the worst days of their life. Whether the call takes us deep into the Red River Gorge, onto the water, over the side of a cliff, or requires a helicopter overhead, none of it happens because of one person or one agency.

It happens because of teamwork, training, partnerships, and people willing to serve.

We’re incredibly proud of how far search and rescue has come in Kentucky, proud of the role PCSAR has played in that growth, and even more excited about where it is headed.

And as Chief Urekew said during the interview, you don’t have to start with decades of experience. You start by being willing to give your time, learn, train, and serve. We will be accepting applications for new team members in the upcoming months.

A huge thank you to Molly Demrow Molly Demrow TV and LEX 18 for spending some time with us and helping tell the story of search and rescue in Kentucky.

Read/watch the full story here:
https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/powell-county-search-and-rescue-chief-built-kentuckys-first-air-rescue-program-from-the-ground-up

Powell County search and rescue chief built Kentucky's first air rescue program from the ground up More than half a million people visit the Red River Gorge each year, most in search of adventure. When that adventure takes a dangerous turn, Jeremy Urekew is one of the people they may depend on to bring them home.

HOIST RESCUE – HANSON’S POINT | RED RIVER GORGE

Tuesday evening, Powell County Search & Rescue was requested to assist Wolfe County Search & Rescue with a medical emergency at Hanson’s Point in the Red River Gorge.

With the patient approximately 2.5 miles from the nearest trailhead and in difficult terrain, PCSAR personnel joined Wolfe County rescuers on the hike into the patient while the Helo Aquatic Rescue Team (HART) and Kentucky State Police Aviation Unit were activated for a potential aerial extraction.

After rescuers reached the patient and completed a medical and site assessment, a hoist extraction was determined to be the safest option.

KSP Aviation arrived overhead and inserted a HART Rescue Specialist to the patient. That Rescue Specialist is also a member of Powell County Search & Rescue and a paramedic. The patient was packaged in an Aerial Victim Extraction Device (AVED), and ground rescuers assisted with a tag line and quick-release system as the patient and Rescue Specialist were safely hoisted into the aircraft.

While operations were underway on Hanson’s Point, Middlefork Fire Department secured the helipad and assisted with aircraft operations. Following the hoist, KSP Aviation transported the patient to the helipad, where Powell County EMS assumed patient care and transported the patient to the hospital. Ground teams cleared the trail at approximately 1:30 a.m.

Missions like this demonstrate exactly why strong mutual-aid relationships and specialized rescue capabilities are so important in the Red River Gorge. A remote medical emergency that could have required a long and difficult ground evacuation instead brought together backcountry rescuers, EMS, fire personnel, emergency management, and aviation resources for a safe and efficient extraction.

PCSAR is extremely proud to have two of our members currently serving as active Rescue Specialists in Kentucky’s HART program. On this mission, we had the opportunity to see that capability come full circle—one of our own serving aboard the aircraft while other PCSAR members worked alongside our regional partners on the ground.

We want to thank Powell County Emergency Medical Services, MiddleFork Fire/Rescue #874, Powell County Emergency Medical Services, Kentucky State Police, Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team, Kentucky Emergency Management, our KSP Aviation Pilots and Crew members, and Kentucky Task Force for the outstanding teamwork throughout this operation.

Different agencies. Different capabilities. One team when it matters.

Just another "Manic Monday"!

Powell County Search and Rescue received two calls yesterday. The first was for a hiker who fell at Double Arch. The hiker was injured just below Double Arch. With the help of our partnering agencies, Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department, Powell County Emergency Medical Services, and Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team, we were able to package the hiker and carry them out off the woods for EMS transport.

Later that evening, we were dispatched to a call of two missing hikers. The hikers set out on Auxier Ridge trail where they got turned around and found themselves off trail and in a field. They were able to make contact with the reporting party and provided a detailed enough description of their location that our team was able to identify exactly where they were. Our crew and members of MiddleFork Fire/Rescue #874 were able to access the hikers and reunite them with their family.

We all love to enjoy the beauty of what the Red River Gorge has to offer. It is important to remember, no matter how skilled or experienced you may be, hiking trails can still be dangerous. Watch for uneven terrain and exposed roots. Trips and falls can happen to anyone. If you find yourself injured on a trail, call for help immediately. Fall is approaching, which means daylight is limited. The sooner you call, the quicker and safer it is to help!

If you find yourself lost or off-trail, don't hesitate to call for help. Our team is studied and experienced with the area. Most importantly, STAY WHERE YOU ARE! Like the two lost hikers yesterday, staying at the location of your last known contact allows us to get to you quickly and safely.