Pocono News Section

Rescue Organization Needs Help

Rescue Organization Needs Help - Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 4:25PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Tuesday, Jan 12, 2010 @ 04:25pm EST
TOBYHANNA, MONROE COUNTY - A rescue organization needs some rescuing of its own. Roger Tobias is Chief of East Penn Technical Search and Rescue. He said, "We are not seeing any help what so ever from our county from any municipality."

The group of volunteers operates rescue missions in and around Monroe County. Tobias explained, "We prepare for lost person incidents. We prepare for building collapse incidents."

In September the volunteers helped with a three day search for two mentally challenged teens in Carbon County. Volunteer Mike Tobias said, "Any rescue where we can find a live victim and they're ok - that is the best feeling to give closure to the family."

But Tobias fears search and rescue missions like that one might have to stop. His group needs $4,000 by the end of the month. It needs the money to upgrade equipment to meet safety guidelines, make payments on its rescue vehicle, and pay for insurance. Tobias said, "If we go out of service there's" not another group in this area that does wilderness search and rescue - high angle."

East Penn Technical Search and Rescue is supposed to get a $10,000 state grant but lingering state budget issues mean that money might not come through until Spring and that would be too late. So Tobias hopes someone comes forward to help East Penn Search and Rescue the way it has helped so many people.

Monroe County's Emergency Management Director told Eyewitness News East Penn Search and Rescue is a valuable organization but there just isn't any county money available to help.

He said a bank is offering a bridge loan to get the organization through this tough time. Tobias said he got the paperwork for that loan just about a week ago. He plans to fill it out and send it in soon.