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NHCC Members Gain Wilderness First Responder Skills

Submitted by scommarto on Tue, 04/07/2009 - 14:30

From February 23rd to March 3rd, the crew of the New Hampshire Conservation Corps completed a rigorous and informative Wilderness First Responder course. The crew spent nine days intensively training and preparing themselves for possible emergency situations in the front and back country.

Among the skills obtained were CPR certification, knowledge of how to deal with a multitude of ailments such as broken bones, bleeding and shock, responsive and unresponsive patients, as well as sprains, strains, allergic reactions and altitude sickness. The crew spent hours listening to lectures that described the interplay between physiological, psychological, and environmental factors when considering proper care for a patient.

In addition to testing the crews mental stamina, the WFR course also demanded that the crew actually face the natural elements. This meant scenarios were played out in the snowy woods of Bear Brook State Park. One scenario was staged at night, making the chill and anxiety of an emergency situation palpable. After nine days the crew completed a written test as well as a four hour scenario to successfully graduate with certifications as Wilderness First Responders.

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The mission of SCA NH is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the communities and land of New Hampshire through conservation service projects that enhance and protect natural areas and to provide environmental education to promote the understanding and stewardship of these natural areas. SCA New Hampshire (SCA NH) is one of SCA's oldest residential corp programs. The Interns are housed in historic cabins at Bear Brook State Park where they share the joys and struggles of rustic life while dedicating a year of their lives to performing direct service. These highly motivated 18-25 year olds enhance and protect the state’s natural areas as well as provide extensive environmental education. Benefits to corps members include a living allowance, health insurance, an AmeriCorps Education Award and the development of their own leadership and team-building skills. The overall experience develops a strong ethic of active citizenship and practical conservation techniques. Projects served by the SCA NH corps touch the lives of tens of thousands of people. Since its incepting SCA NH has been partnered with the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation and Volunteer NH (AmeriCorps). Over the years the partnerships have expanded throughout the state to include the White Mountain National Forest, St. Gaudens Historic National Park, conservation commissions, and more. Corps Members spend much of the winter months providing environmental education and service learning programs to elementary and middle school students in Manchester, NH as well as several community nonprofits. During the summer, the members are engaged in conservation service in the form of trail construction and maintenance, campground rehabilitation and historic preservation as well as further environmental education through the NH Park Interpretive program, Discover the Power of the Parks.

contact the SCA NH corps office at six-zero-three -485-2191

or email: Teresa McNamee

TMcNamee "at" thesca "dot" org