Charles County, MD – March 20, 2025 – A coordinated effort by 36 volunteer Fire/EMS personnel led to the successful location and rescue of an elderly man who had wandered into a wooded area near the Potomac Branch Library on Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 4:35 PM, the Charles County 911 Center received a call reporting that an elderly male had been seen walking out of the Potomac Branch Library and into the nearby wooded area. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, a "RESCUE INACCESSIBLE TERRAIN" assignment was immediately dispatched, bringing multiple emergency responders to the scene.

Incident Command was established by Engine 112, which swiftly coordinated an access plan near Creedon Drive. Three specialized ATV units were deployed into the woods, using advanced GPS tracking on Mobile Data Terminals to pinpoint the approximate location of the missing individual.

Shortly after arrival, Charles County Fire Chief Kaufmann, assumed command of the operation. Thanks to ongoing communication between the 911 Center and the lost individual, rescuers were able to narrow down his location despite the challenging terrain and approaching inclement weather.

At approximately 5:45 PM, ATV4 successfully located the elderly man, who appeared disoriented, wet, and cold. He was safely assisted onto the ATV and transported back to the staging area at the library, where he was promptly evaluated by emergency medical personnel from Ambulance 119. Fortunately, he did not sustain any serious injuries and was soon reunited with his family, with assistance from the Charles County Sheriff's Office.

“This incident highlights the dedication and expertise of our volunteer Fire/EMS personnel,” said Chief Kaufmann. “Through teamwork, advanced technology, and relentless determination, we were able to bring this individual to safety before the weather conditions worsened.”

The Charles County Fire/EMS team extends gratitude to all personnel involved in the search and rescue operation, as well as to the 911 dispatchers and law enforcement officers who contributed to the successful outcome.