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August 19, 2008

Annual safety event held in Morrisonville

Morrisonville event offers entertainment, education

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH -- Two first-time participants brought some variety to the fourth-annual Fire and Injury Prevention Day, put on by the Morrisonville Fire Department.

Event organizer Justin Burl of the Morrisonville Fire Department said it was a pleasure to have the Keeseville Fire Department's Swift Water Rescue Team and the Champlain Valley Search and Rescue K9 Unit take part.

ADVICE FOR KIDS

The Champlain Valley Search and Rescue K9 Unit was represented by Team Leader Chris Bresett and three handlers, as well as three of their six rescue dogs. The non-profit organization is in its second year.

The team does a lot of presentations in local schools to get children familiar with rescue dogs.

"We help them to recognize the big dog with a large orange vest" as a friend, Bresett said.

Team members also make presentations on the Hug-A-Tree program, six steps to help children survive if they are lost in the wilderness. Children are told to hug a tree because they are more likely to become rescued if they stay in one place.

They should always carry a trash bag when on a hike, picnic or camping trip, which can be used to help stay warm and dry.

A whistle is also essential, as the sound travels farther than voice.

Bresett said each handler and canine goes through about 18 months of training. The team, which is based in Keeseville, has 15 human members.

Dogs start to be trained at eight weeks old for agility, obedience and a specialty field, Bresett said. Two dogs are trained in water rescue and cadaver search, two in air scent tracking and one in regular tracking.

The handlers receive training in winter and summer survival, orienteering and evidence collection.

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED

Keeseville Fire Chief Lenny Martin represented the Keeseville Fire Department's Swift Water Rescue Team.

The team has received two instances of recognition as a result of its efforts during the 11-day search in the Ausable River after a raft carrying Mark Dragoon capsized in June 2006. His body was found well downstream on June 15.

Dragoon's father, Thomas Dragoon, nominated Martin and the department for the 2008 Higgins & Langley Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Swiftwater Rescue. Martin accepted that award May 30 at the National Association for Search and Rescue conference in Colorado Springs.

"It kind of blew us away," he said.

The award recognized the department's efforts to develop the team, which began in 2004. At that time, the team's equipment largely consisted of four life jackets.

Thomas Dragoon also nominated the department for the firedog Across America contest to recognize local heroes across the country. The department placed second among 10 finalists, which enabled it to raise about $60,000.

"That's what bought most of our equipment," Martin said.

That includes 20 sets of dry suits, a line gun that can launch a rope up to 300 feet, two inflatable boats and a 20-foot enclosed trailer to haul the equipment.

The trailer was dedicated to the memory of Mark Dragoon in May 2007.

The Fire and Injury Prevention Day also included seat-belt safety demonstrations with a State Police rollover car, fire and smoke escape demonstrations with the Clinton County Firefighters Association Smoke Safety House, safety tips and information, fire-truck rides and souvenirs.

Burl said the event is all about helping people stay safe.

"It's a chance to come together to have a nice day and learn about safety in a non-stressful situation."

dheath@pressrepublican.com

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