MOUNTED SEARCH AND RESCUE POLICY ON WEATHER
CONDITIONS
The mounted search and rescue team usually has the availability
to go out during the late spring, summer and early fall seasons. During
the late fall, winter, and early spring seasons weather or conditions that
are hazardous to the Horse and/or Rider will force us to be unavailable
should a call come in during these conditions. Below is a list of
conditions and our availability with those conditions.
SNOW/SLEET/FREEZING RAIN- We will not go out during snowfall.
Horses will become wet from snow melting on them and with the cold
temperatures combined with them getting wet the Horses will become
cold.
RAIN – During rain we are available to go out with fairly mild
temperatures. If the temperatures are below 50-60 Degrees Fahrenheit
we will not go out because the Horses will get cold.
THUNDERSTORMS- During thunderstorms we will not go out, if the
storms pass and no other storms are forecasted we will go out if our
assistance is requested should there be an incident.
TROPICAL STORMS/HURRICANES- During the event of a tropical
storm or a hurricane we will not go out and the Horses are taken to
safety until the storm passes.
SNOW COVERED GOUND- We will go out if the ground is covered by
snow and snow only. If going out is determined to be hazardous due to
ice under the snow or icy snow due to previous rainfall we will not go
out to an incident until the ice melts. If there is ice under the snow we
would have to wait for the snow and the ice to melt before we would be
able to go out for an incident.
EXTREME HEAT- We can go out in extreme heat however, our coverage
area will be limited because the Horses will need to be taken back to
base frequently for a break and water to prevent any heat related
illness.
EXTREME COLD- We are sometimes unavailable and sometimes
available due to the severity of the cold and whether or not there is
wind and the strength of the wind. For example: A light wind will not
stop us from going out unless the temperatures are below 25 degrees
Fahrenheit but with heavy winds the horses will not go out if the
temperature is below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.