Retired Fire Department Chief Tim Buness was recognized for decades of meritorious public service by the U.S. Coast Guard in an April 3 ceremony, particularly for his dedication to the search and rescue operations run by the department.
The award cites Buness’ oversight of more than 2,000 such operations, and his direct work with the Coast Gurd on over 500 search-and-rescue cases.
Buness can pinpoint his very first SAR experience, going out with his father Gordon, who was then the fire chief, in May 1967 to look for an overdue boater. Since that time, Buness acknowledges that technology has changed but people haven’t. People get in trouble on land or on water, underestimating the weather, the tides, their equipment and their own skills.
One of the tools that has kept him engaged is working to put himself into the mind of a lost person, to think like they think, and follow that line. “It’s like putting together pieces of a puzzle,” he said.
Technology has been an ever-developing tool in that puzzle solving, from GPS to drones.
The Wrangell Fire Department has acquired four drones — two smaller training drones and two larger ones that incorporate thermal imaging features. That additional capability aided in a search last year for an overturned boat in the Wrangell Narrows; the boat was discovered by tracking the gas plume in the water. “It’s very satisfying; I love working with new tech,” Buness said.
It takes a lot of years and a lot of operations to log such a notable number of search and rescue (SAR) operations. Buness said the Wrangell Fire Department — incorporating fire, ambulance and SAR — gets called out on average once a day, with maybe 30 to 40 search calls in a year.
The Coast Guard commendation highlights his local expertise, especially with the surrounding waters of the Wrangell Narrows, Clarence Strait and along the Stikine River, fostered by his many years of experience navigating them.
The commendation also recognizes his commitment to the training that built the Wrangell squad into “a professional and reliable first-responder organization serving communities throughout Southeast Alaska.”
Buness said he worked to bring more training opportunities to the island. “I could spend $1,000 to send one person out for training or bring a trainer here and teach 10 people. It’s also more useful to train people on-site.”
He said he does not consider the award an individual acknowledgment. “I have a great crew that makes the job easier.” He also spoke of the strong relationships and the cooperative work between the Wrangell department, the state troopers and Coast Guard.
He acknowledged that of all the search and rescue operations across his 35 years as fire chief and 50 years with the department, “I probably haven’t missed very many of them — even on vacation, I’d still be taking the first call and getting the wheels turning.”
He retired as chief last June.
The Coast Guard cites a history of prompt responses in its citation, noting that Buness often directed the Wrangell crew to be “on-scene before the arrival of Coast Guard units, ensuring timely assistance to distressed individuals.”
And even in retirement, Buness continues to be involved in operations: “We’re all after the same goal, to make sure everyone is safe.”
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