ALERT was activated on June 2, 2010 by Londonderry Police to participate in a search and rescue mission to locate a Londonderry resident who had been missing for two days. On June 3, 2010 twenty ALERT members assembled at Sara Beth Lane at 0800 along with approximately 50 searchers from Londonderry Police Department, Londonderry Fire Department, N.H. Fish and Game Conservation Officers, Southern N.H. Special Operations Unit, Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team, Litchfield Police Department, and the American Red Cross.
ALERT was divided into five groups, four Line Search Teams and one group for Automobile Street Search with each team being assigned to a NHF&G Team Leader. The teams performed thorough searches of the Musquash Conservation Area bordering near the Londonderry Country Club and the Sara Beth Lane surrounding area. All groups were under the direction of Lt. John Wimsett, N.H. Fish and Game.
As the day progressed, more ALERT members reported into the Command Center offering any assistance requested. In all twenty-eight ALERT volunteers were able to contribute to the day’s efforts in finding the missing person.
As the groups were finishing up their morning search grids, the call went out to return to the Command Center. The missing person was found at 1245.
ALERT would like to extend our thanks to Papa Gino’s and Giovanni’s Roast Beef and Pizza for their donation of pizzas for all the participants of the search.
This mission was a real test of ALERT’s capabilities to assemble, perform, and communicate as a team. We look forward to our debriefing by N.H. Fish and Game to learn what we did right and what needs to be improved on. From all accounts, ALERT can be proud of how we responded in our community’s time of need.
