CERT In Action!
Cameron, Mo. CERT Aids in Search and Rescue of Missing Woman
On March 31, 2010, two Cameron, Mo. CERT members assisted the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department in the search and rescue of an 82-year-old woman who had been missing for more than 24 hours.
Weather conditions were favorable for a search with temperatures in the 80s and sunny, which was unusually warm for late March. When a search aircraft subsequently located the missing woman’s vehicle in a remote area of the county, the CERT volunteers were able to provide all-terrain vehicles to access the area and reach the car. “They worked side-by-side with emergency services and were first on the scene and located the missing woman,” said Cameron Police Chief Corey Sloan.
The elderly female was found alive, but she was dehydrated and complained of leg and hip pain. CERT members “provided first aid until the EMS folks could get there,” said Chief Sloan. The woman later told officials that she became disoriented in the remote area and drove into a field. Her vehicle became stuck when she tried to turn around.
Chief Sloan praised CERT’s involvement in the search. “The collaborative efforts of the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Cameron Police and Fire departments and, most importantly, the Cameron CERT, proved instrumental and most likely saved the life of this 82-year old woman,” he said.
For more information, please contact Chief Sloan at cpdsloan@centurytel.net.