Thanks to essential funding provided by the Community Foundation, the Teton Climbers’ Coalition recently organized a specialized emergency response training for Teton County Recreation Center climbing gym staff—training that proved invaluable within days of completion.
When the Teton County Recreation Center climbing gym opened in May, it quickly become a favorite destination for climbers of all skill levels. As demand grew, so did the need for comprehensive emergency preparedness.
When conversations with the climbing gym staff revealed that the current Parks and Recreation budget did not cover emergency safety training, the Teton Climbers’ Coalition applied for a $1,500 Community Foundation microgrant to fill this critical gap.
The Community Foundation approved the grant, and TCC board member and Exum Mountain Guide Garrick Hart, together with fellow Exum guide Trevor Deighton, delivered specialized emergency safety training to Teton County Recreation Center climbing gym staff, empowering them to respond effectively in high-stakes situations.
Held on September 22, the four-hour clinic addressed essential climbing safety protocols. The training proved invaluable just days later, when staff successfully rescued a climber who had frozen three-quarters of the way up the wall after realizing she was not tied in. Thanks to the training, the staff deployed immediately and assisted her without injury.
The grant-funded training clinic focused on scenario-based instruction to build emergency response skills in the following areas:
- Incident management and emergency response
- First aid for climbing-specific injuries
- Evacuation and rescue procedures
- Effective communication during emergencies
- Proper use of safety equipment
The Exum Mountain Guides provided hands-on guidance to ensure staff were thoroughly prepared for potential emergency scenarios. With this training, staff now have a solid foundation in climbing-specific emergency protocols, enhancing safety for all gym users.