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On day two of the event, Undersheriff Dave Phillips and Rescue Squad member Lt. Tom Crossmon, of St. Louis County, Minnesota, delivered a presentation of their experience using VideoRay to locate the body of a drowned snowmobile driver in Ashland, Wisconsin. Before the victim was located with a VideoRay, divers had previously made 19 difficult dives in shifting ice. A diver spent less than one minute in the 37-degree water recovering the body, just five hours after the search with the VideoRay began.
Undersheriff Dave Phillips of St. Louis County, Minnesota, delivered a presentation of his experience using VideoRay to recover drowning victims.
Undersheriff Phillips reported that before authorities removed the body, and without disturbing the scene, a conclusive forensic investigation of the site was completed. By showing real pictures captured during searches, Undersheriff Phillips shared his practical experience and success with the VideoRay. He also provided guidance for acquiring this type of equipment through grants and offered tips on how to manage an ROV operations team, from staff selection and training to mobilizing for missions.
"We really enjoyed meeting attendees from the New York area," says Undersheriff Phillips. "All public safety agencies have shared the same problems of how to conduct underwater recoveries safely, and it was great to show our VideoRay as a possible option for them. It was an honor to meet with agencies and people involved in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks. "
"The purpose of this interagency training was to make people familiar with new methods for search and rescue. Within one week of the event, we have learned of two instances where the VideoRay is being used to bring closure to families of victims in New York and Wisconsin," says Captain Scott Shields, who hosted the event and whose world-famous dog Bear located the most victims at Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers. "Our goal is to get people trained in the use of the VideoRay so we can respond faster and better when a situation arises. We appreciate VideoRay's generosity in coming to New York to bring a higher degree of awareness to the Tri-State area."
Captain Scott Shields is looking for donations to the Bear Search and Rescue Foundation for the purchase of a VideoRay to support the search and rescue efforts of local agencies. Donations can be made through the foundation's website at www.bearsearchandrescue.org
The VideoRay ROV is an 8-pound underwater submersible equipped with a video camera. Operated by one person from land or boat, the submersible is attached to a tether and control box to navigate and document underwater conditions. VideoRays are in use worldwide for search and rescue and Homeland Security initiatives.
For comments, contact: David Phillips, Undersheriff St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, Duluth, MN, PH: 218-726-2339, e-mail: phillipsd@co.st-louis.mn.us. Contact Captain Scott Shields of Bear Search and Rescue Foundation at ph: 732-713-6298.
Contact VideoRay LLC . 400 Eagleview Blvd. Exton, PA 19341 . Phone: (610) 458-3000 . FAX: (610) 458-3010 . www.videoray.com
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Copyright © 2004 VideoRay LLC
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