Rescues Taxing To Rural County Budgets

Rescues Taxing To Rural County Budgets


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Samantha Hayes reportingPeople of all ability levels need rescuing. But the cost to rural counties is often more than they can afford.

After two days in the mountains of Southern Utah, searchers were not sure if they would find Levi Nelson at all. And if they did, would he be alive?

Charles Morris, Iron Co. Search and Rescue: "There probably is not a tougher part of real estate in iron county this individual could have gone into. Its hard to hike through there when its warm and dry."

It was cold and snowy, and in the end, Nelson's survival skills saved him. He made a fire the first night-dug a snow cave the second night.

Charles Morris: "It's great he got through this."

Iron County Search and Rescue go out on an average of 8-10 incidents every winter. The county budget for this is a mere $5,0000 a year! They make it work with fundraisers, compensation from the state. But most of the help comes from volunteers who donate their time, their money, and often their own equipment.

Sheriff Mark Gower, Iron County Sheriff's Office: "These guys are volunteers the money is coming out of their pockets to do this they are dedicated and well trained very competent in their abilities and I think we've got one of the best rescues in the state in a rural setting."

Rural counties are often popular vacation destinations- but a small tax base makes it expensive to rescue people when they get lost. In a recent report, Grand County said it now charges for its services.

But most of the time, in the eyes of the volunteers, a successful mission makes it all worth it.

Sheriff Mark Gower, Iron County Sheriff's Office: "This is what we live for right here."

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