By Holger Durre
A shared vision for outdoor recreation, couple with the recognition of inherent risk, has spurred a remarkable multi-agency innovation in Prescott, Arizona. The creation of the Bean Peaks Trail System Rescue Plan showcases how collaborative, creative problem-solving can rapidly develop new emergency response capabilities, setting a high bar for recreational safety in growing outdoor communities.
The challenge: A gravity flow vision creates a new risk
The catalyst for the project was the development of the new Bean Peaks Trail System, a gravity flow mountain bike park realized through the efforts of the Prescott Mountain Bike Association (PMBA) and funding from the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA). Located on Prescott National Forest land adjacent to the city, the complex single-track trails presented a unique challenge: Traditional motorized vehicles could not access injured riders.
Captain Jason Beyea recalled Chief Bill Hickey flagging the new trails. This initial risk recognition led to a physical risk assessment on the trails — a step that immediately highlighted areas where rapid patient access would be severely limited.
The team: Working together to address the issue
Developing a solution to the access problem was a product of unprecedented coordination and shared intelligence among a diverse group of stakeholders:
- Prescott Fire Department: Identified the need for a new response modality.
- City of Prescott Trails (Chris Hoskins): Instrumental in trail knowledge, a PMBA board member, and a key liaison between City and Forest Service.
- Prescott National Forest (Jason Williams): Managed the federal land and granted access to pre-existing fire-break roads.
- Prescott Mountain Bike Association (PMBA): The driving force behind the trail system, also agreeing to maintain identified rescue zones.
- City of Prescott Tourism & Rec Services: Leveraged tourism funds to support the purchase of specialized emergency equipment.
- Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) Backcountry Team: Provided expertise on short-haul operations and assisted in identifying accessible Landing Zones (LZs).
“Creativity and innovation led this project by all involved,” commented Beyea, underscoring the collaborative spirit that transformed a recognized risk into a functional safety solution.
The solution: e-bikes and coordinated mapping
The core of the innovative response plan hinges on two main components: e-bikes and a comprehensive mapping system.
1. The e-bike advantage: After consulting with departments managing similar mountain bike parks nationwide, the team determined that electric mountain bikes (e-bikes) were the ideal solution for rapid access.
- Rapid deployment: e-bikes allow fire personnel to quickly navigate single-track trails and access patients in remote areas.
- Medical gear transport: The team chose hardtail (front suspension only) e-bikes over full-suspension models, as the hardtail design allowed for the mounting of Basic Trauma Life Support gear.
- Speed: Beyea highlighted the dramatic time-saving, stating the new system cuts response time to approximately 12 minutes for certain areas, compared to an estimated 30 minutes previously. This rapid access is critical for meeting the “golden hour” threshold — the principle succinctly summarized as “time is tissue.”
2. Mapping and access plan: The team utilized a free online platform called Avenza Maps, a GIS software tool that allows any geo-referenced map to be used for real-time location and navigation.
- Color-coded trails: The system maps and color-codes the newly built mountain bike trails and utilizes pre-existing, accessible fire-break roads.
- LZ identification: Working with YCSO, designated LZs have been identified and cleared for potential short-haul helicopter operations, providing a vital option for extracting severely injured patients.
- Training and orientation: Firefighters received specialized e-bike training, leveraging the expertise and established curriculum of the Prescott Police Department, which already uses e-bikes for downtown patrol. This was followed by more technical trail riding practice.
Success and unexpected benefits
The project moved from initial risk identification to having functional e-bikes in hand in an astonishingly short timeframe, roughly two months. Since then, the e-bikes have been deployed over a dozen times for rescues and patient assessments, not only on Bean Peaks but also across other trail systems in the city, providing an unanticipated city-wide improvement in backcountry response capabilities.
This comprehensive plan offers a powerful message to the community: “Come recreate here, because we got your back.”
Advice for other departments
For fire departments considering similar innovations, the key takeaways from the Prescott experience are:
- Build relationships first: The cooperation and coordination between the city, USFS, fire department, tourism office, and local mountain bike association were foundational to success.
- Leverage existing resources: Talking to other mountain bike parks and even local police departments (as Prescott did for e-bike training) can streamline equipment decisions and training development.
- Prioritize function: Selecting hardtail e-bikes for the ability to carry medical gear highlights the importance of choosing equipment based on emergency function over recreational preference.
The project serves as a blueprint for other departments facing similar recreational expansion, proving that proactive planning, cooperation and an openness to new technology can create a highly effective safety infrastructure.
About the Author
Holger Durre is the fire chief for the Prescott (Arizona) Fire Department.
