Eastern Kentucky University faculty member David Fifer has participated in fall rescues in the Red River Gorge. Fifer, who works in EKU’s paramedic program, also serves as coordinator for the EMS Special Operations Team of Powell County Ambulance Service. That team has worked with Kentucky State Police in recent helicopter rescues in flooded areas of eastern Kentucky. Fifer said he will participate in a large search this weekend for the remaining two missing persons. He admitted locating them alive is not likely.
“It would be a miracle for them to still be alive and not have made contact with somebody at this point. I think that the families understand that,” said Fifer.
Governor Beshear reported Tuesday that the two remaining missing individuals are 60-year-old Vanessa Baker and 29-year-old Nancy Cundiff, both from Breathitt County.
Fifer said there’s been an investment in the right equipment and training. And to say there’s never any fear in conducting such a mission, Fifer noted wouldn’t be accurate.
“There are times when things might get a little bit hairy, but you know you’re working with some of the best, using some of the best equipment. That helps you just focus on getting the task at hand accomplished,” said Fifer.
Fifer said he was on board for five missions that rescued eight people. He noted four involved hoisting flood victims and four others were done through landings. The EKU professor’s wife has also served in the current flood event. She works for the federal government with an incident management team.
