Boulder Emergency Squad

Welcome to Boulder Emergency Squad.

We are actively seeking new members. If you are interested in volunteering, click here

What is BES?

Boulder Emergency Squad (BES) is a 100% volunteer, nonprofit,
technical search and rescue organization dedicated to saving lives and
property in and around Boulder County, Colorado. BES has been
serving those who live and work in Boulder County with professional
rescue services since 1963.

To learn more about BES, who we are, and what we do, browse the Information and FAQ sections of the site using the links to the left.

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Colorado Dive Rescue Summer Training Series

The Dive Rescue Summer training series comes to Boulder Colorado, hosted and sponsored by Boulder Emergency Squad-B.E.S., an all volunteer, non-profit emergency response team serving Boulder County and surrounding areas. Certifications are offered for specialized classes and include basic and advanced dive rescue, dive medicine, light salvage and recovery, and instructor training.

Boulder, CO, June 03, 2010 - Boulder Emergency Squad-B.E.S. is proud to host and sponsor the Colorado Dive Rescue Summer Training Series coming in June 2010 conducted by Dive Rescue International-DRI of Fort Collins, Colorado. Every year citizens and visitors of Boulder County enjoy the fun and excitement of water recreation. "When an accident does occur, it's good to know we've got a professional team of volunteers who work together seamlessly to respond and save lives", says Joe Pelle, Boulder County Sheriff.

For the past 25 years B.E.S. has trained their emergency dive and water rescue teams to the highest international dive standards. During the past few years, Boulder Emergency Squad, in cooperation with the Boulder County Sheriff's Department, City of Boulder Fire Department, and the Longmont Emergency Unit, has co-authored dive rescue standards for all Boulder County dive teams. "Our county guidelines adhere to the most strict DRI standards used by dive teams across the globe", says Steve Lanaghen, Dive Instructor for Boulder Emergency Squad.

Every year DRI conducts the Summer Series throughout the State of Colorado and is pleased to be working closely with the B.E.S. dive rescue team to bring the training to the Boulder-metro area.

The class schedule includes a wide selection of dive rescue classes for both the public safety diver and recreational dive instructors and includes these topics:

Dive Rescue I June 4-6, 2010

Dive Rescue II June 7-11, 2010

Med Dive June 13-14, 2010

Public Safety Scuba Instructor June 14-18, 2010

Specific classes are filling up and candidates can still register by contacting Diver Rescue International at (800) 248-3483 ext 18 or www.DiverRescueIntl.com.

About Boulder Emergency Squad: B.E.S. is an all volunteer, non-profit 501c.3 technical rescue team serving the County of Boulder, Colorado. BES provides a number of technical rescue services at no charge including underwater dive rescue, swift water creek rescue, vehicle extrication, low-angle scree evacuations, animal rescue, wildland fire fighting, structural fire support, and is a trained staffing resource for the Boulder County Sheriff's Department. B.E.S. was incorporated in 1964.

Contact: Andrew M. Amalfitano, Public Information Officer Boulder Emergency Squad 303-443-4081 http://www.bes-rescue.org

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TEAMWORK HELPS RESCUE WOLF FROM PIPE

Photo: Larkin Carey

On the side of a steep slope in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, rescuers worked to successfully free a wolf with its head trapped in a heavy steep pipe. Members of the Boulder Emergency Squad, Coal Creek Fire Department, Boulder County Parks and Open Space, and Boulder County Sheriff's Department Animal Control responded and rescued the wolf with the help of a local veterinarian.

(Boulder, Colorado). January 27, 2010 -- Boulder Emergency Squad-B.E.S. along with other agencies, rescued a wolf which had gotten its head stuck in a steel pipe. With medical care provided by a veterinarian, the pipe was carefully cut from around the animals head. The several hour ordeal left the wolf "...in fine condition with only some minor cuts & scrapes", according to Veterinarian Dr. Christopher Blum, VMD of Table Mountain Veterinary Clinic in Golden, Colorado.

While playing, the wolf-hybrid had gotten her head stuck in a 6 inch diameter, half-inch thick, eight foot long steel pipe and had evidently been unseen for a few hours. Coal Creek Fire cut the pipe to about one foot long which made the wolf and pipe portable. But, the head was still stuck and the animal was obviously stressed. The problem was metal welded inside the pipe was trapping the wolf's head. "From the moment the wolf was brought to the clinic until it was freed, all of us melded together into a cohesive team, that made the difference", said Blum. The animal control officer agrees. "Without the assistance of Deputy Bryarly, Officer Spensieri, Coal Creek Fire Department, Boulder Emergency Squad and Table Mountain Veterinary Clinic, this wolf would have died, no question," said Brandy J. Perkins, Animal Control Officer at Boulder County.

The scene was on the side of a steep hill on property where a local homeowner raises wolf-hybrids. With the need for sedation. dark approaching and far from an ideal location, the wolf was transported 20 miles to a clinic, its head still stuck in the very heavy chunk of pipe.
After a quick check by the doctor, it was apparent that the wolf was dehydrated and stressed. IVs were started and vital signs monitored as the team set up outside in the parking lot with the BES emergency lighting. The 'patient' was monitored as the rescuers used a side grinder to slowly cut away enough of the metal to get the head out. "The 'operation' was a success", said Chief Andrew Moschetti after the wolf was cleared from the metal pipe.

"I am so thankful to everyone who assisted in this rescue. It is so nice to know that BES is always there when we ask for them. They [B.E.S.] provide the equipment and support we need without ever questioning it's for an "animal". These [rescuers] are great and deserve to be recognized for all the good they do!" said Perkins.

Photo: Brian Dillman

Photo: Larkin Carey

Photo: Larkin Carey

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About Boulder Emergency Squad: B.E.S. is an all volunteer, non-profit 501c.3 technical rescue team serving the County of Boulder, Colorado. BES provides a number of technical rescue services at no charge including underwater dive rescue, swift water creek rescue, vehicle extrication, low-angle scree evacuations, animal rescue, wildland fire fighting, structural fire support, and is a trained staffing resource for the Boulder County Sheriff's Department. B.E.S. was incorporated in 1964.
Contact: Andrew M. Amalfitano, Public Information Officer Boulder Emergency Squad 303-443-4081 http://www.bes-rescue.org

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Looking for JointFire?

For information about Boulder County structural, wildland, EMS, and rescue training, please visit
http://www.jointfire.com

BES Meeting Facilities
Plan your next meeting or training using one of BES's meeting rooms. These modern meeting facilities have flexible seating and layout for up to 44 people. The rooms include audio/visual facilities including projectors, VHS and DVD players, TV, laptop connectivity, wireless internet, and more. Conveniently located in North Boulder where Diagonal Hwy. and Foothills Pkwy. meet, the rooms are available for booking any time night or day for your convenience.

Meeting Facilities Information and Availability