07/22/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us for FIRST AID: Hikers & Bikers - FREE Class on Sunday at Hadlyme Public Hall. It was an afternoon of practical skills, great conversation, and a reminder that being prepared can make all the difference.
We were especially grateful to Greg Miller, Hadlyme Public Hall, who welcomed everyone by sharing why this class is so personal to him after experiencing his own trail emergency at Harkness Memorial State Park. His story was a powerful reminder that emergencies can happen to anyone, even on familiar trails.
Our Deputy Chief, Ariana Eaton, began the class with simple but essential steps to take before you head outdoors.
Participants learned why it's important to:
- Never hike or ride alone whenever possible.
- Let someone know where you're going, when you expect to return, and check in along the way.
- Take a photo of the trail map on your phone and/or carry a paper trail map.
- Pay attention to trail markers and landmarks.
One of the highlights of the class was learning about the what3words app. Every 10-foot square in the world has been assigned a unique combination of three words, allowing 911 dispatchers and first responders to pinpoint your location with remarkable accuracy even in remote areas. It's a simple, free app that could save valuable time during an emergency.
We were honored to have Lyme Fire Company join us to demonstrate how they locate and rescue people in some of the most difficult-to-reach places in town. Past Fire Chief Jamie Leatherbee, Chief John Evans, Deputy Chief Sam Adams, and Captain Archer Evans shared the specialized training and equipment that make backcountry rescues possible.
One of the most fascinating demonstrations came from Deputy Chief Sam Adams, who showcased a highly sensitive thermal imaging camera capable of detecting body heat even after a person has moved from the area. Chief John Evans also shared exciting updates about Lyme Fire Company's expanding water rescue capabilities, including a new shallow-water rescue boat designed to reach areas that traditional rescue boats cannot.
The afternoon concluded with hands-on first aid instruction from the Lyme EMS team, covering how to recognize and care for common hiking and biking injuries, when it's time to call 911, and what you can do while help is on the way.
Our mission extends beyond responding to emergencies, we believe that educating our community helps make Lyme a safer, stronger place to live and explore. Let's make Lyme safer & stronger TOGETHER!
