Snowmobile Search and Rescue Team prepares for another season

Winter is right around the corner and that means Illinois’ only Snowmobile Search and Rescue team will soon be out again assisting those in need.

That team is centralized right here in Knox County as a part of the Sheriff’s Department and Prairie Drifters Snowmobile Club.

Team Director Pat Hennenfent says the group of about 35 are spread throughout Knox, Warren, and Henry counties. When the weather becomes inclement and the roads close down, team members go out wherever and whenever there is a need across the state.

Hennenfent tells Galesburg’s Evening News on WGIL that thanks to grant money, the group has come a long way since they first began providing assistance.

“The very first year when we had a rescue ‘boggan that we pulled behind our sled that was it,” Hennenfent says. “We now have a new snowmobile that we’re pulling it with, we have a trailer to haul everything in, we have a generator, we have all kinds of medical equipment. Two years ago we were very fortunate that we got an army surplus truck. We found out over the last couple years that we can be anywhere fairly quick if they need us.”

In support of some additional funding, the team will hold a pancake breakfast tomorrow morning from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. at the Galesburg Applebees.

ReCENT POSTS

Loading...