How San Ramon Valley Fire Rescued a Fallen Hiker

From San Ramon Valley Fire

Most visitors to Mount Diablo enjoy the stunning views and picturesque trails throughout this 19,000 acre State Park, but some will find themselves in need. 

On Saturday, April 6, a young man fell over 50 feet into a void located in the Sentinel Rock area of the park; he was conscious and alert, but badly injured, and unable to walk or climb.

His friends were able to call for help and crews from Station 33, Station 35 and the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team out of Station 34 responded.

Once firefighters reached a landing above the hiker, they quickly built a technical rescue system and rappelled down to where he had fallen and began immediate medical care. 

Next he was “packaged” and loaded into a rescue basket, brought down by two additional rescuers, and lowered to waiting firefighters who walked him out to safety. The patient was then transported via San Ramon Valley Fire Ambulance to the landing site where the air ambulance, CALSTAR, flew him to the local trauma center.

The young hiker is now home from the hospital recuperating from his injuries.

“San Ramon Valley Firefighters have many advanced skills,” said Battalion Chief Derek Krause. “Members of the USAR team and all Firefighters from Stations 33 and 35 train each year for this exact scenario, in this exact location – and this rescue was seamless.”

Each year firefighters travel to Mount Diablo State Park to practice and hone their skills. This regular training element is just one example of the many evolutions San Ramon Valley Firefighters drill to prepare for emergencies on the mountain.

 “The high level of services provided by San Ramon Valley Fire was one of the many reasons I was so drawn to this impressive organization,” said Fire Chief Paige Meyer, who was appointed Fire Chief just one month ago.  “Firefighters in this valley are ready for anything, from a medical emergency to a hazardous materials spill to a house fire.”

The landscape of the San Ramon Valley boasts vast open spaces, lush hillsides, State and Regional Parks, rural communities, urban city centers and commercial buildings. What makes the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, San Ramon and the Tassajara Valley so unique also provides a myriad of hazards. 

“San Ramon Valley Firefighters have to be true renaissance men and women,” said Training Chief John Duggan. “The training regimen that all Firefighters undergo each year readies our crews for advanced life support medical emergencies, structure fires, wildland fires, various rope rescues, hazardous material events and multi-casualty incidents such as earthquakes.