Last evening at 2040 hours, Station 53 was alerted to assist NYCRPD with a search detail in Heidelberg Township. A 15 year old was missing and considered endangered. Brush 53 and Car 53 responded immediately, soon followed by ATV 53 and the Chief. The initial searches were conducted during thunderstorms and there was a sighting of missing person soon after arrival in the area. K-9 units from York County Sheriff’s Office were already attempting to track the individual as well. After individual wasn’t located after subsequent searches, Chief 53 and the NYCRPD Patrol Supervisor established a command post at the Heidelberg Township building. A Township supervisor was contacted and immediately granted access to the building and offered any assistance that the Township could provide. South Central PA Search and Rescue 93 was placed on standby and subsequently dispatched to the scene. Additional ATVs were requested from Pleasant Hill, Lineboro and Winterstown. Chief 93 was added to command staff on his arrival and all assets of the team were put to use. The search continued throughout the night utilizing additional K-9 units, the ATVs, Car 53, Brush 53, drones with night vision cameras and manpower on foot in a half mile radius. Eventually, the searches on foot were halted until daybreak due to treacherous terrain in the area. Work/rest cycles were initiated to ensure searchers were able to be fresh.

At daybreak, additional drones were deployed, EMS from Spring Grove EMS was placed on standby at the command post and the York County DES Mobile Command Unit arrived. Command was transferred to Chief 53-1 following his rest cycle, allowing Chief 53 to rest. An additional ATV from Paradise Township was requested, as well as Maryland State Police aviation. Many more agencies arrived and assisted in every way possible.

At 1315 hours, a Township resident that was checking his property located the missing person, called 9-1-1 and transported the individual safely to a NYCRPD Officer. The individual was evaluated by SGEMS and found to be in good health, confirming the absolute best possible outcome for this incident.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank every agency and individual who assisted in the search operations, which is a very long list.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community. So many ndividuals offered to help walk the area or provide equipment. Local businesses provided food and drinks to the operation including: north Hanover Sheetz, Freedom Log House, Genova’s Spring Grove, Mission BBQ and the American Red Cross. Thank you isn’t enough. We greatly appreciate you all.