An amazing joint-services rescue this weekend in an extremely isolated area of Algonquin Provincial Park.
A mother and young son had been camping when major thunderstorms with strong winds rolled through the area Saturday night. A tree fell on their tent and the 13-year-old was left with very serious injuries and no way to get to help.
Mom triggered an 'SOS' signal on a device which transmitted their coordinates to rescuers. Upper Ottawa Valley OPP members loaded up their ATVs and headed to the nearest park entrance to the location. The rescue team also included OPP Emergency Response Team members, Algonquin Park Rangers and the Renfrew County Paramedics' Sierra Team.
An aerial rescue wasn't possible due to the weather, so first responders had to make a harrowing trek through roads and trails filled with downed trees and other debris and through dense brush. They used hand saws to clear the way until chainsaws could arrive.
Rescuers then launched a canoe and paddled to the stranded mother and her seriously injured son and began immediate first aid.
By 8:30 Sunday morning, a Ministry of Natural Resources float plane was able to land on the nearby lake and transport mother and son to hospital, where the young man underwent treatment for his injuries.
In addition to those on the ground, the rescue effort also included the MNR aviation team, OPP Communication Centres and Provincial Operations Centre, the Algonquin Park Duty Officer and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. A special thanks to the Deep River Fire Department for providing the much-needed chain saws.
The seamless teamwork of this successful rescue is an example of the resilience and training of all involved. @JRCCTrentCCCOS@RenCtyParamedic ^bd
🔥 Napanee Fire Department – Welcome, Recruit Class of 2025! 🔥Congratulations to the newest members of our fire family! 👩🚒👨🚒Today, we proudly welcome the Recruit Class of 2025 into the greater Napanee Fire Department. Your hard work, dedication, (1/3)
🚨 Final Call for Captain Melcher 🚒This evening marks the end of an extraordinary firefighting career.After 42 years of dedicated service, Captain Melcher is officially hanging up his helmet. Serving with both Base Petawawa and North Algona Wilberforce, (1/4)
#UOVOPP are investigating the theft of diesel fuel from an outdoor storage tank at the Bonnechere Valley Fire Dept. on Janet Rd in Bonnechere Valley Twp. The theft took place over the last month.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the #UOVOPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous call Pembroke/Renfrew County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at https://t.co/lLIYdinDqw ^sp
Each year across Ontario, many lives are lost in preventable off-road vehicle incidents. Every ride comes with responsibility and small choices can make a big difference.
Wearing a helmet with chinstrap fastened, using proper gear and riding on safe terrain reduce the risk.
The #OPP is proud to partner with the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicle Clubs (OFATV) during #ATVSafetyWeek to promote safer riding and support safe communities for everyone.
Find more safety tips and resources at https://t.co/prDveMLO7r
🚨 9-1-1 is no joke. 9-1-1 is for life-threatening emergencies. Using it for pranks or non-emergencies isn’t funny—it’s dangerous. Misuse can lead to legal action and could delay help for someone in a real crisis. When every second counts, let’s keep the lines clear! #ItsNoJoke
Under Premier @fordnation and Solicitor General @TeamKerzner we’re making record investments to protect Ontario. We’re building a new, state-of-the-art OPP detachment in Killaloe to give police the tools they need to crack down on crime keep our communities safe.
Ontario's first provincial campaign to reduce 9-1-1 misuse launched today. Lets keep our ambulances available for those who need them the most. Find out more at https://t.co/VoTJQmc4S2
Emergency Preparedness Week 2025
CASARA Tip: In an emergency where you are lost in the wild, being seen is critical. Always carry a signalling device such as a signal mirror, flare, or bright fabric, and learn basic air-to-ground communication codes that can be seen from above.
Whether career, part-time, volunteer, urban, rural or wildland regardless of uniform or language we all strive to keep our communities & residents as safe as possible. Thank you to all those who have served & those who continue to do so. 🚒🚒 @RenfrewCounty
May 1 marks First Responders Day across Ontario. To all those who answer the call we thank you for serving our communities. Thanks to our partners at Renfrew CACC @OPP_ER & @RenCtyParamedic We appreciate you!
The best kind of #BBQ is a SAFE BBQ. ➡️ Avoid a spoiled meal or worse, a BBQ fire by checking for damaged hoses. Apply a water/soap mix to all connections. If it bubbles there’s a leak. Place your BBQ away from wooden fences and walls, and anything that burns.
#BBQSeason
This wk is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week! Thx to the team in Renfrew who last yr answered more 17,000 calls! Thank you for always being so calm under pressure!
This is the beginning of
National Public Safety
Telecommunications Week. They're the glue holding the entire system together. A special thank you to Renfrew CACC for everything they do to keep the public & first responders safe. @RenCtyParamedic@RenfrewCntyScan
Remember care must be taken around all moving water. Spring is here, the first big melt is on and everyone must be aware
Keep your kids and pets away from fast flowing creeks and ditches as hypothermia and drowning are a real threat!
Please be safe!
🚨 The Great Beep Hunt is ON! 🚨
Your mission:
👀 Find every smoke alarm in your home
⏳ Check if it’s over 10 years old
🎤 Press the test button—does it BEEP?
Need a boost? Get your parents to help—fire safety is a team effort! 🔥
#MarchBreak#SavedByTheBeep#FireSmartKids