In January, 2011, my teammate, Scott Baker, was injured in a construction accident, leaving him with spinal cord injuries and paralyzed from the waist down. As today's article in the Arizona Daily Sun says, "As a SAR volunteer, Baker spent 25 years never hesitating to get up in the middle of the night, whatever the weather, and go searching for lost or stranded people."
And I know this from firsthand experience working with Scott, who has been a great field partner to me on several missions, including one all-night search on Mt. Agassiz. It was well below zero on that winter night, when our hands would go numb the minute we'd remove our gloves to try to use our GPSes. We were struggling out there, snowshoeing through deep drifts for hours, but Scott always kept our spirits up.
In addition to being a "ground-pounder," Scott was also a member of our team's technical high-angle rescue unit.
Scott has also been a helper in ways other than his 25 years as a dedicated search and rescue volunteer. He was a 4-H parent for 10 years and helped children by maintaining equestrian equipment and a safe, happy place for kids to practice horsemanship. Scott's wife also volunteers, serving on several committees in the community.
This Saturday, the Summit Fire Department Auxiliary, the local firefighters' union, Coconino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, and 4-H are coming together for a fundraiser at Coconino High School to help cover some of the costs associated with Scott's long-term rehabilitation down in Phoenix and other expenses not covered by insurance. Even the wheelchair alone costs $28,000. His family has been going to visit him every week down in the valley to learn how to help him when he comes home, which is scheduled for sometime next week.
Scott Baker Fundraiser
Saturday, May 7th, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m
Coconino High School, 2701 N. Izabel St.
Chili cook-off, cake auction and silent auction raffle
Cost: $25 for chili cook-off; $5 for six raffle tickets; $10 T-shirts; $10 to taste all the chili you want.
Information: Summit Fire Department at 526-9537
These are my stories as a volunteer member of the Sheriff's Search and Rescue team in Coconino County, Arizona. I'll share what it's like to go from a beginner with a lot to learn to an experienced and, hopefully, valuable member of the team, as well as the missions, training, and other activities along the way.
