After a day of family fun turned into a nearly three-hour multi-agency search last weekend at the Lake Talquin State Forest, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division Chief Ronald O’Brien is urging the community to keep these safety measures in mind.
“I think whenever we plan on going on an outing, especially on the trails here in our community, it’s beneficial to obtain a map so that you know where you’re going,” O’ Brien said in a media availability scheduled with multiple local outlets. “Have a fully charged cell phone and a way to call 911 or to communicate with one another.”
Though initially the sheriff’s office said the family’s grandmother would be speaking to the media, she never showed.
According to an incident summary, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office “responded to a report of multiple family members lost in the Lake Talquin State Forest after departing from the Fort Braden Trailhead for a hike” on Saturday, June 21.
Lake Talquin State Forest encompasses roughly 19,300 acres which spreads across 10 main tracts and several smaller areas.
The family of five is composed of two children, a mother, a father, and a grandmother.
The missing group included the two children, mother and grandmother, who was only carrying a 911-enabled cell phone when they became separated. The husband, located at main entrance parking area, was able to report that his family was missing.
O’ Brien says outside of trying to find missing persons before the sun sets, the main concern is dehydration.
“This time of year, when it’s getting hotter, dehydration is a very serious consideration,” he said. “A heat stroke can kill you. Without adequate water, and being out in the elements with the heat, a heat stroke is the main concern that we would have. You want to find somebody before they’re completely dehydrated and succumb to the heat.”
Initial search efforts successfully located the mother and one child. However, a 9-year-old boy and his grandmother remained missing for two additional hours in a scorching 90 degree temperature until later found with the help of multiple agencies.
“Lieutenant (James) Pittman is the team commander for our critical incident response team, and he’s very well trained and well versed in the incident command system. He did a good job of mobilizing all the assets and resources that we have,” O’Brien said.
The 63-year old grandmother was treated for chest pains and dehydration at the scene and was transported to HCA Florida Lake Jackson Emergency.
Outside of making sure to have a map, a phone and an adequate amount of water, O’Brien encourages anyone doing explorations to pack a first aid kit, a compass, a noise device and to pin the start location on your phone to help find your way back.
Kyla A. Sanford can be reached at ksanford@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County deputies rescue missing family at Lake Talquin State Forest
Reporting by Kyla A Sanford, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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