Local Search And Rescue Crews Exhausted

Children Search Volunteer search and rescue crews involved in two-week search for children are physically and emotionally drained

by Pat Peterson

Published: Mon, January 21, 2008 - 4:54 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, January 21, 2008 - 5:52 pm CST

Members of the North Baldwin Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team are worn out and tired. The 35-member volunteer team from Bay Minette has spent the past two weeks assisting crews in South Mobile County in the search for the four children believed to be thrown off the Dauphin Island Bridge.

"We've put in about a thousand man-hours," says Chief James Phillips with North Baldwin Sheriff's Search and Rescue. "It's taken its toll on all of us."

"You're out there and you're searching and you have so much time to think about what's happened and you ask yourself, how could a father do this to his own children?" says Matt Burton with NBSSAR. "I just can't comprehend it. We're glad we've been able to help."

The volunteers will spend the next several days cleaning up their boats, checking equipment and re-stocking their supplies.

"We're not ready to exhale yet," says Phillips. "We want to sit down and go over everything and see what we did right and wrong, then we'll have closure on the incident."

Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran says he'll offer counseling services to all search and rescue volunteers who participated in the search for the children.

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Nanathatloves Says:

Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 8:59 pm

I would personally like to Thank each and everyone of you that searched for these little angels. I am very proud to be a part of this county. Capt. Smith with the sheriffs flotilla, I want to extend a hand to you, I could see the emotions that were in your heart every day. I also want to say that each one of you have a very brave but very tender spot in your hearts. Thanks So Much! God Bless You All! You worked very hard and long hours. Without you it would have never have been accomplished.

achildofGod Says:

Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 8:36 pm

Thank You all who volunteered with the search of these precious babies. To those that gave money, cemetary plots, food, & etc, Thanks! You will never be forgotten! God will reward each of you!God Bless!

rmseek1234 Says:

Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 8:29 pm

I agree with what everyone else has said, that all the searchers deserve a big thank you. As the proud wife of a police officer, I would just like to suggest that we don’t let these thanks fall by the wayside. Please take a moment out of your time when you see one of these fine men/women employed in community service to tell them thank you and what a fine job they do ALL THE TIME! That includes not only law enforcement, but fire/rescue and EMT’s as well. And also, if you are able, please donate to the flotilla or local police/fire organizations.

And I thank the families of these men and women too. God Bless you all!

momoftwo Says:

Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 6:46 pm

Our country was built on the spirit of volunterism and we never see it shine through until a tragedy happens. Communities never know how much they need you, until you show up and stay until the job is done. Whether it takes an hour, a day, weeks, or a month volunteers will stay the course and complete the task. I am proud to be a volunteer and while I did not get to come to this mission, I have worked along many of you who did and I am honored to have each of you as my brothers and sisters. Thank you for a job well done, thank you for being our brothers keeper. God will reward you in Heaven for your sacrifices on earth. Thanks to your FAMILIES as well for letting our community have you on this mission and for every mission or response that you make. God Bless, be safe, and thanks again!

nuff said Says:

Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 6:45 pm

God bless each and every man and woman who shouldered the burdent of searching for our angels. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been on you to go out day after day both praying to find and dreading to find these tiny bodies. But you never gave up, you exemplified what a REAL Village is when it comes to our children.

I would also like to thank the News 5 Team for their coverage. It was compassionate and sufficient but not once did any sense of sensationalism enter the equation. We watched as you not only reported to us, but grieved with us. On a couple of occasions, I switched to another news station but quickly came back upon realizing that they were much more interested in preening for the cameras than reporting on the tragedy.

cork Says:

Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 6:31 pm

We salute each and every person that participated in the search of the children. We salute channel 5 for their continuous coverage. No one could have done what you did in the cold, wet and bitter wind that blew these past weeks. Your exhausting rescue efforts will be greatly appreciated by the victim�s families and by the people of the Gulf Coast. We sincerely appreciate knowing that you guys are out there for us.

cerdman Says:

Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 5:30 pm

God Bless all of you who gave your time, plus the expense you absorbed, to help in the search of these children. I know it was physically and emotionally draining for each of you but you never gave up. I am proud to know I live in a community with such dedicated people.

peaeye55 Says:

Mon, Jan 21, 2008 at 5:13 pm

...Thank God for all the many people who took time out of busy lives to help in the search for those babies. I can’t even begin to think what you may have thought at the time or even now after its over…I know you may be exhausted both physically and emotionally.You’ve done a great thing,and I’m thanking you right now for your hard,long work.God bless you all.