Mike Leum

A search-and-rescue first responder to domestic and international crises.

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

3 CLIFFHANGERS WITHIN MINUTES!!! Location was May Canyon in Sylmar. The first two women got into a position where they couldn’t go up or down. Both were injured by rockfall. One of them used the iPhone 911 satellite text feature and @MontroseSAR responded along with @SEBLASD Air Rescue 5. The medic had to be on the hook for a 250’ hoist due to the steep terrain, a long hoist compared to the usual 150’ they regularly perform. At one point the medic was completely out of sight from the Crew Chief. Only because of constant training and deployments, the crew kept their cool and took care of business. When Air 5 landed with both patients they provided treatment for the girls’ head trauma. Then we heard screaming nearby down a canyon. Another hiker was stuck while trying to climb up a draw which was deteriorating under her feet. Not requiring technical gear, I climbed down to her and our sergeant tossed me a rope. I secured the hiker using a bowline on a bight and topside slowly pulled her up. We always say, “We aren’t here for this call, we’re here for the next one”. Rescues seem to breed rescues. Everyone home safe for dinner. Saving lives is priority 1.

@LASDHQ @LACoSheriff

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

RESCUE! A hiker experienced an ankle injury and sent a 911 SOS satellite message. @MontroseSAR responded along with @LACoFDPIO . Hiker located and hoisted by Air Rescue 5. Transferred to an ambulance after air medics assisted her to safety. Be careful out there.

@LASDHQ @LACoSheriff @CPBLASD

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

Honored to be part of this today! Thank you @LACoSheriff !

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

@LovelyRottie INDEED!!!

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

CRITICAL MISSING: FOUND! At 6pm Palmdale Sheriff Station received a 911 call from a mother who got separated from her 11yr old son in the forest on Mount Pacifico. She last saw him at 4pm. Montrose SAR was asked to assist, along with Air Rescue 5 and a patrol helicopter. A drone team from Altadena SAR was mobilizing. When we arrived on-scene and interviewed the mom, she said he was wearing a new pair of Merrill boots. So when I found this boot track I knew he had been there. The tracks appeared to be 3-4 hours old, within the window of when he went missing. Later, when I found his name spelled out across the road, we had no doubts. Both helicopters converged and I went running down the road. Soon after that we were told that a motorist had picked him up 6 miles away on Angeles Crest Highway. Everyone home for dinner! Saving lives is priority 1.

@LASDHQ @LACoSheriff @PalmdaleSheriff @AltadenaMRT @MontroseSAR

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

@LovelyRottie The 11yr old spelled it out. Great move on his part!

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

@UnGueux @Dragonflynda The Super Puma AS332 is manufactured by Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter). Originally developed in the late 1970s by the French aerospace company Aérospatiale.

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

CLIFF RESCUE! This afternoon a solo climber fell into a crevice during her descent on a difficult route on Strawberry Peak. Luckily she had a bear horn which she activated and alerted other climbers. One of those climbers had an inReach satellite device and used the SOS feature. Once we received the coordinates from the California Office of Emergency Services, we notified Air Rescue 5. We responded on the ground while Air 5 spooled up and was on-scene in minutes. A tactical medic was lowered to the climber and evaluated her injuries. She was hoisted into Air 5 and transported to the highway. Only having minor injuries, she declined further medical treatment and we took her to her car. She was very appreciative of the rescue effort and became emotional when she realized how close to death she came. Air Rescue 5 is pre-deployed at a helibase in the middle of the Angeles National Forest every day and is ready to respond to all hazard situations. Saving lives is priority 1.

@LASDHQ @LACoSheriff @SEBLASD @ABC7 @KCBSKCALDesk @NBCLA @KTLA5NEWSDESK @foxladesk

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

RESCUE AT SWITZER FALLS! College age male fell and separated his shoulder. Copter unable to locate him. We ran down the trail and found him. Stabilized his shoulder and walked him out with @LACoFDPIO. This was our 3rd rescue in 24 hours, which explains why @MontroseSAR is the busiest rescue team in California. Saving lives is priority 1.

@LASDHQ @LACoSheriff @CPBLASD @CVLASD

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

@firechiefanf Thanks chief!

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

We will never stop looking for you. Open missing persons cases only close when the person is found. New information will always be investigated. Sometimes all we can do is provide closure.

@LASDHQ @LACoSheriff @SEBLASD @CPBLASD

[Robert Garcia @firechiefanf]

Thank you to @SEBLASD for providing an outstanding joint training session with @Angeles_NF @SoCalUSFS_Fire and our visiting firefighters from Brazil 🇧🇷

🇺🇸🔥

#PublicService #missiondrivenculture #publicSafety @LASDHQ @LACoSheriff

[Robert Garcia @firechiefanf]

Spending time with firefighters reveals the commonalities they share, regardless of their origins or technical specialties. They are mission-driven public servants dedicated to excellence. Today, 40 Fire Officers from Brazil 🇧🇷 spent the day on the ANF, allowing us to learn from one another. This exchange of knowledge and experience strengthens our commitment to serving our communities effectively. 🇺🇸🔥

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

@RightScopee 👍

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

RESCUES! Busy 90 minutes for Air Rescue 5 on Angeles Crest Highway! First call was a medical emergency, followed by a solo vehicle crash into the hillside, then a motorcycle down call. Finally, 2 missing hikers out of Switzer Falls!! Saving lives is priority #1.

@LASDHQ @LACoSheriff @SEBLASD

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

RESCUE: It’s hot out there. Today Air Rescue 5 responded to a person with a heat related emergency on Catalina Island near Avalon. Victim was hoisted and transferred to ground units. Whether it is heat exhaustion (sweating, dizziness, cold & clammy skin), or the more severe and life threatening heat stroke (body temp over 103 degrees, dry skin, confusion, coma), immediate treatment must be given. In days like these, hike or exercise early in the morning or at the end of the day. The life you save might be your own! Saving lives (including YOURS) is priority 1.

@lasdhq @lacosheriff @seblasd @lasd_seb_events
#rescue #heat

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

Today Reserve Deputy and Doctor Matthieu DeClerck gave a seminar on high altitude rescues to executives and the elite Air Rescue 5 pilots and operators. With a sharp increase in rescues at higher elevations, it is paramount that our pilots, crew chiefs and medics are able to operate safely. DeClerck has practiced medicine all over the world in austere environments. Assigned to the Special Enforcement Bureau and Emergency Services Detail, he flies on Air 5 at least once a week offering victims of trauma immediate and lifesaving advanced medical care. Reserve Deputy DeClerck exemplifies the best of our Reserve Deputy program, bringing his skill sets to bear for the benefit of citizens and Department members. Remember, “the bear goes everywhere”. Saving lives is always priority 1.

@LASDHQ @CPBLASD @LACoSheriff

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

Sadly we now have 10 people missing in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe…

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

1 of 2: Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and victims of the #avalanche near Tahoe. Here we are conducting an avalanche eval & search a couple years ago.
@LASDHQ @LACoSheriff #LakeTahoe

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

CRASH: Air Rescue 5 and US Forest Service firefighters responded to a motorcycle crash on Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road today. Air 5 on scene in minutes. Treated and transported well within the “golden hour” of survivability for victims of trauma. This coordination between agencies saves lives, which is always priority 1.

@LASDHQ @SEBLASD @LACoSheriff @firechiefanf @Angeles_NF

[Mike Leum @Resqman]

On Tuesday at 2:45 pm a vehicle went 400’ over the side of Angeles Crest Highway resulting in a fire. @LACOFD , US Forest Service, @CHPAltadena , @CVLASD @MontroseSAR all responded. The driver was outside the vehicle with severe burns and injuries. Air Rescue 5 was able to hoist the victim while US Forest Service firefighters attacked the fire and achieved a quick knockdown. Multiple agencies, one mission. Saving lives priority #1

@LASDHQ @LACoSheriff @firechiefanf