03/13/2026
On a cold evening on the snow, a snowmobile crash set in motion a coordinated response that brought several agencies together in the field. Crews from Alborn Fire, Grand Lake Fire, St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies, Mayo Clinic Ambulance, Life Link III, and St. Louis County Dispatch worked side by side to reach the patient and prepare for transport. Access across the snow required specialized equipment, including the Sherp, snowmobiles, and the Orion sled pulled behind a snowmobile. The Sherp provided medics a sheltered space to keep the patient warm and allowing care to continue while moving across the terrain.
Scenes like this are a reminder that response in northern Minnesota often depends on the right tools and strong partnerships. From the first call to the lift-off of the helicopter, each team played a role in making sure help reached the patient safely and quickly. Grateful for the crews who train for nights like this and the agencies that make teamwork look routine, even in the snow and cold. (Sophie Photo)
