With the arrival of Labor Day weekend, a surge of out-of-towners are flocking to Scottsdale's scenic trails, hopeful for an adventure in the Valley's natural splendor. The Scottsdale Fire Department, well-versed in the dangers of the desert, is emphasizing preparedness and the importance of understanding the risks associated with hiking in the area's extreme heat. According to a recent demonstration covered by FOX 10 Phoenix, Captain Dave Folio guided an educational trek to showcase the necessary steps to safely navigate and potentially rescue overheated hikers.
Captain Folio stresses two crucial points for hikers: "knowing your limitations and having a plan." His advice comes amidst a summer season that has already witnessed multiple hiking emergencies. To that end, hikers are urged to bring ample water, good hiking shoes, and a charged cell phone, as stated in the coverage by Reception Occitane. Folio informed hikers that it's wise to head back when half their water supply is depleted.
The demonstration began at approximately 2:00 PM on the Gateway Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, where temperatures hovered near the blistering 105°F mark. Folio's guidance included the advice to stay put in a shaded area if one feels overwhelmed by the heat and to maintain position on the trail for easier rescue. "We always find people off the trail, it takes longer to find them, but that's part of the plan is to stay on the trail," Folio told FOX 10 Phoenix.
In preparation for rescue operations, Scottsdale Fire Department's technical rescue team employs mapping and cellphone triangulation to locate distressed hikers. "The cell phone icon will actually triangulate the caller’s cell phone. So it is important that the person who has an emergency calls," Captain Chris Hauser explained to Reception Occitane. The team is equipped with various resources including specially configured hiking bags to expedite their response.
For the demonstration, the rescue unfolded swiftly, yet on real missions, the response team is significantly larger, involving up to 12 personnel. This ensures all necessary manpower is available both on-site for the rescue and back at the station for other emergencies. Folio concluded with an emphasis on pre-dawn starts and early returns to avoid the worst heat of the day, underscoring the universal maxim for desert hiking safety: "Have a plan, start early."
