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Increased Number Of Mountain Rescue Calls Taking Toll On First Responders

The Phoenix Fire Department’s three special operations teams have responded to 1,137 calls for aid this year. Larry Subervi is with the department, he said the number of calls is on a normal pace for the year.

Many the calls are for the departments technical team, which specifically responds to mountain rescues. The department has seen a 10 percent increase in those calls. And that’s taking a toll on the team.

“It’s extremely exhausting, and they carry up to 50 pounds of equipment because they carry ropes and litter baskets. So, they’re not just hiking like anybody would just hike up with a water bottle. So, it’s very exhausting work; it’s very taxing work. It’s one of our highest fire fighter injury type work,” Subervi said.

The team had to make a total of three consecutive trips up two different Phoenix mountains, last weekend. One of those rescued, Subervi said, was very close to death. He said an increasing number of rescues the department has responded to have included fatalities.

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Katherine Fritcke was a morning producer at KJZZ from 2015 to 2017.