PORT ANGELES — A backcountry rescue south of Port Angeles this week highlighted new equipment now in service with Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue.
Crews were dispatched just after 9:00 Wednesday morning to trails off Little River Road, where a hiker with an injured ankle was unable to continue about a mile and a half in.
Firefighters initially prepared for a difficult carry-out and called in additional personnel. Instead, they were able to deploy a newly acquired Polaris UTV — used for the first time in a real rescue.
The vehicle navigated the narrow trail and allowed crews to transport the patient directly to a waiting ambulance, avoiding a time-consuming manual carry.
Officials say the UTV improved both speed and safety during the rescue.
The vehicle was purchased through a federal Title III grant administered by Clallam County and placed into service last month.
Clallam 2 responded with a rescue unit, ambulance, and the UTV, with Olympic Ambulance also assisting.