Recent rescues of climbers and visitors to Joshua Tree National Park raised questions about who responds to the rescues, and who pays the bill? Managing editor Tami Roleff talked with County Battalion Chief Rick Denison recently and got some answers…
Good news if you’re a San Bernardino County resident and you are injured and need rescuing. Your taxes go to the county fire department, and so the county picks up the tab for your rescue, even if it includes sending in a helicopter to hoist you out of a precarious situation. Unless it was criminal activity that landed you there in the first place; then the bill is on you. If the victim isn’t a San Bernardino County resident, then there is a reciprocity agreement in place with other California counties. Otherwise, the victim’s insurance company is billed for the rescue. But why are county firefighters going in to Joshua Tree National Park in the first place? County Fire Battalion Chief Rick Denison explained that it’s a mutual aid situation; county firefighters are often closer and can get to the scene faster than waiting for park rangers or the Joshua Tree Search and Rescue group. Morongo Basin Ambulance also responds, and will transport the victims to local hospitals, if needed. The same holds true if you are injured anywhere in San Bernardino County.
NATIONAL PARK RESCUES: WHO RESPONDS AND WHO PAYS? A SPECIAL REPORT
