20th day of April, 2004. One year ago, this day, seven lives and countless memories were lost to a tornado that struck the town of Utica, Illinois. Its memory will not be forgotten as the town continues to rebuild from this tragedy.

The Starved Rock Trail Safety Program is a volunteer, non-profit, non-funded basic life support medical response team in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Starved Rock State Park. This program is licensed through the Illinois Department of Public Health and Loyola University Medical Center Emergency Medical Services System.

Effective April 22, 2005, the Starved Rock Trail Safety program has been upgraded to a non-transport EMT-Basic level, from a non-transport First Responder level.

• Goals/Membership

  The Trail Safety program was developed to provide visitors and guests of Starved Rock State Park, a volunteer emergency first response team to respond to medical/traumatic emergencies within the state park, cutting down on response and access times and assist in locating lost persons. Our primary goal is injury prevention by upholding the rules and regulations of the park.
  

  Membership is open to anyone who is 18 years of age or older (requirement by IDNR), willing to become a State-recognized first responder or EMT, or anyone with any pre-hospital medical training (i.e. FR, EMT-B, EMT-I, EMT-P, RN, etc.), willing to camp (primary means of lodging) and is willing to volunteer their time to the Illinois State Park System. All members will receive training to upgrade to Wilderness First Responder and/or Wilderness EMT.
  

  • Team Members

• Equipment/Supplies

  Camping is our primary means of lodging. Individuals are encouraged to bring their own tents, however, if you do not have your own, we will provide a space for you. Members are issued vehicle stickers which will allow them access to the campgrounds and identify them as members of the program to the Park staff and Conservation Police.
  

  Since the program is representing the State Park, we have developed a uniform policy which enables visitors to clearly and easily identify members of the team. T-shirts are available for purchase. Additional uniform requirements will be discussed with membership.
  

  Medical equipment meets the requirements for a non-transport basic life support program and is provided by the team and the State Park. Individuals may provide their own medical equipment. Supplies used on the trails will be replaced as quickly as possible. Currently, we have several trauma packs carried by ranking members along with several smaller medical packs. Additional equipment is brought out to the incident site by Park personnel and fire/rescue personnel from the Utica Fire/Ambulance Depts.
  

• Scheduling

  Trail Safety weekends usually coincide with special event or holiday weekends, during which time the Park will see a larger number of guests. Teams are sent out in groups of 2 or 3 and patrol various areas of the Park. Patrol times vary depending on the weekend and the day.
  

  • 2005 Season

  
  

• Training

  On-site training is provided. This includes orientation of the park, self-defense, continuing education hours and additional training specific to park events. Additional training is provided as the need arises.
  

  Continuing Education (CE)credits for currently licensed EMTs and Paramedics will be available on a regular monthly basis. CE hours are required for relicensing at the end of the licensing period. First Responders are required to obtain continuing education hours as well, to continue to stay certified in the state of Illinois. Continuing education hours are made available through Loyola EMSS, our resource hospital and EMS system.
  

  A new program has been developed to provide first aid, CPR, AED, first responder and wilderness programs in cooperation with American Safety & Health Institute. These programs have received recognition from IDPH to meet minimum standards in each area of instruction.
  

• Location

  Starved Rock State Park is located approximately 90 miles southwest of Chicago, off of Interstate 80 and Illinois Route 178. The State Park is approximately 7 miles in length, but consists of approximately 13 miles of interconnecting trails. The park is made of St. Peter Sandstone which provides a scenic view of canyons, overlooks, bluffs, and depending on rainfall and the season, waterfalls.
  

  • Directions to the Park

• Team Rescues/History

  The Team was founded, developed and began its operations in September 1992. Since the beginning of the program, it has averaged approximately 6 to 7 incidents per year. Rescues may vary from simple bee sting incidents, to technical rescues located within the Park. The team primarily provides first response medical services, rather than actual rescues. Fire Department and Conservation Police personnel provide technical rescue equipment and manpower, such as vertical and high angle rescues.

  As of January, 2001, the Starved Rock Trail Safety Team has become a recognized First Responder program through IDPH and Loyole EMSS. Training and medical protocols are those written and approved by Loyola EMSS and will be used in the Park.
  

  • 1993 Rescues

  • 1997 Rescues

  • 1998 Rescues

  • 1999 Rescues

  • 2001 Rescues

  • 2002 Rescues

  • 2003 Rescues

• Special Notes

  The program has received public acknowledgement through the Suburban Life Newspapers ... an article appeared in the Wednesday, April 12, 2000 issue, on the front page. A copy of the article can be found below.
  

  The article regarding the Trail Safety team was published in the Morris Daily on March 20, 2000. A copy of the article can be found below. This same article also showed up in the Peoria Journal Star on March 29, 2000.
  

  We have been published in the May 1999 issue of Outdoor Illinois, a publication written and distributed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. We have also received a copy of live footage of one of our rescues back in 1998.
  

  • OutdoorIllinois Publication

  • Video Tape

  • Article from Morris Daily and Peoria Journal Star

  • Article from Suburban Life Newspaper

UPCOMING WEEKENDS/EVENTS

• ** Labor Day Weekend **

  September 3 - 5, 2005

  

  Pictures

  Birds of Prey '98 Weekend

  

  Additional Information Available

  If you would like more information on this program or inquiring to join this program, please contact me via e-mail, as listed below. We are always looking for more volunteers.

  trailsafety@rescueteam.com
  Or you can write to the following address, below. Please include your name, address, city, state, zip code, phone number, EMS certification level .. and any questions.
  Starved Rock Trail Safety
  PO Box 274
  Riverside IL 60546-0274

  Return to IDNR/Starved Rock Webpage

  Return to IDNR/Starved Rock Park Information Page

  
  

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