19th Wednesday
Release #4 1754 CST
The reconnaissance of search area led by the Rescue Global Team Leader and US Army Officer in Charge of Task Force Bravo (Colonel Kurt Anderson) by air is complete. Weather conditions are terrible, the helicopter being battered by high winds and low clouds. All have now landed safely, and the family, and US Consul General, have been briefed.
Full Search and Rescue (SAR) will commence at 0500 hrs local, when weather allows insertion of teams by helicopter. A USA military search and rescue specialist adviser has been provided (by Task Force Bravo), who is assisting Colonel Anderson and Rescue Global Team Leader, to refine the existing search plan.
The plan remains as reported in previous updates, with an additional aspect of establishing a forward operating base near the tree line to support SAR operations. Helicopters will mainly be used to insert teams into the Category A search sites, for emergencies, and as an airborne platform with an ‘eye in the sky’.
Rescue Global members are fit and well, and are now holding a multi-agency meeting to confirm operational plan details.
Press enquires should be directed to: media@rescueglobal.org
Release #3 1650 CST
US Army Colonel Anderson from Task Force Bravo arrived at the Rincon National Park and met with the Rescue Global Team. The Colonel was briefed on the search plan and intelligence gathered so far. He agreed to full cooperation with the Rescue Global search plans (described in detail in our update no 3).
The American helicopters are unable to fly until 0500hrs local tomorrow (20 August). To accommodate this, the Rescue Global helicopter at 1630hrs local is being used to enable the team to survey the five Category A sites from the air. The Rescue Global team will then land at site 1A Crater Rincon De La Vieja to continue the search through the night.
At 0530 hrs the army helicopters will deploy army and Red Cross personnel to continue the Rescue Global search.
The US Consul General Paul Birdsell has been briefed by Rescue Global. He is fully supportive of the search plan.
The Red Cross staff and Rangers are very motivated and working well with the Rescue Global team.
Press enquiries should be directed to: media@rescueglobal.org
Release #2 1320 CST
David Gimelfarb, an American from Chicago traveled to Costa Rica last week to explore the volcanic region within the Rincon de Veija National Park in Guanecaste. He has since been missing and was last seen entering the park on August 11, 2009 around 10:00 AM by the park ranger.
The local authorities launched a search enlisting the help of Liberian Red Cross. The search efforts have been impeded by rains, dense vegetation and sheer expanse of the park. Hopes of finding David are diminishing with each passing day; the search needs to be augmented by more suitable equipment suited to such a terrain.
Due for operational deployment in January 1st 2010 – Rescue Global received a request via former United States Secret Service – Special Agent, Scott Alswang, Senior Vice President SOS Security Incorporated, at 2300hrs GMT 17th of August 2009, to advise regarding a missing person in Costa Rica. The Rescue Global team has since been advising the family and co ordinating with Red Cross efforts on the ground. Last month Protector Services Group, Quintessentially Secure, SOS Incorporated, and Rescue Global signed up to an international strategic partnership for cooperation within the security industry. This rescue mission is on of the first humanitarian fruits of this partnership.
At 01:40 hrs on18th of August, Rescue Global was officially asked to deploy, by the missing young mans family who are now in Costa Rica. 2 SAR – Search and Rescue Operatives are currently on route to Costa Rica and will:
- Co ordinate ground efforts
- Liaise with local authorities, including the Red Cross
- Provide support to the family
- Conduct airborne (helicopter) Search and Rescue activities with specialist equipment, much of which has been sourced by Scott Alswang.
Rescue Global has established a 24 hour GOLD COMMAND centre in London to co ordinate the mission deployment.
The SAR Operatives arrived in Costa Rica today, at 1100 hrs Wednesday 19 August. Their first priorities and activities are:
1. Team Safety (risk factors have already been assessed and a plan to manage these throughout the mission has been created)
2. Establish 3CI (command, control, communications, intelligence)
- Identify all resources
- Identify all risks
3. Establish connections with:
a. Family, give support and all assistance at hotel
b. Red Cross
c. Local other agencies
e. Hotel
f. A local guide
4. Get SITREP (situational report) on Search Efforts to Date, including maps of all searched areas.
5. Identify Category A, B and C sites to search.
SEARCH METHODOLOGY
Cat A = Known areas DavidG was going to go to, and any drop offs and run offs from these
Cat B = Areas searched by need re searching for any reason
Cat C = Less likely areas, if he got lost, follow weather patterns and paths of least effort if was re tracing steps
6. Communicate plan to all and brief
7. Check all equipment, safety checks. COMMENCE SEARCH ASAP
8. Log and map search patterns, continue……………….
Press enquires should be directed to: media@rescueglobal.org
Release #1 1519 CST
The Rescue Global team arrived at the Rincon National Park at 1300 hrs (Costa Rica time) 19 August. They are working closely with the Red Cross.
Five category A sites have been identified by the Rescue Global Team Leader (David Jones) as a priority for searching today (sites which it is known David was going to go to), these are:
1A: Crater Rincon De La Vieja which is an active volcano and is 1806m
1B: Von See Bach which is an inactive volcano and is 1898m
1C: Laguna Jilgueros, a lagoon
1D: Katarata La Cangreja where there is a waterfall
1E: Katarata Escondidas, a lagoon
1A,B and C are close to each other and the Rescue Global team have left in one helicopter to start the search in that area. Two military helicopters are due to arrive shortly and these will search sites 1D and 1E.
The jungle between the Park entrance and each of the five sites will be searched in a grid pattern by Red Cross searchers on foot.
They have 3 hours of daylight left today. The furthest site is 10 mins by helicopter, and 3hrs walking. The team aim to cover all five sites, and the ground between today.
Sites 1A, B and D has big drops, caves, and gullies so ropes and technical equipment will be used by the team to access these areas and search underground.
The Red Cross have set up a camp for the Rescue Global team and are providing food.
David Gimelfarb’s family are on site and are assisting the team in every way, particularly in giving information about David.
