Big Pine Search Interrupts Annual Corporate Meeting

20 January 2004

The Annual Meeting of the Sugarloaf Key Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., had just gotten underway on Tuesday evening, January 20th 2004, when SLVFD was toned by Monroe County dispatch and asked to assist the Big pine Volunteer Fire Department in searching for an elderly man who had wandered away from his Big pine residence and become lost.

The man was wearing only light-weight clothing and the night temperatures were predicted to be relatively cool. Eight SLVFD members, including Chief Mike Bowden and Deputy Chief Bob Adair, along with most of the SLVFD Explorers, responded. The SLVFD personnel were divided up into teams and began responding to assigned search areas. Within a few minutes one of SLVFD teams, including Lt. Eric Boner and FF James Cadden, along with a Monroe County Deputy Sheriff, located the missing man. The man had a few scratches and small cuts on his arms, but he was fine otherwise. He told the SLVFD search team that he was trying to find his way back to his home.

Because of the injuries, Rescue-13 responded and checked him out. Having ended when the man was safely located, the search was called off and the SLVFD personnel were released. They returned to the Station and resumed the meeting. Pizzas were ordered and the evening ended well with a feeling of satisfaction in having been able to help a person and family in need, and contentment from enjoying good pizza with great co-volunteers.

Story Contributed by Deputy Chief Bob Adair